How do I become a developer?
- Date: 19 January, 2021
Considering a career switch to a role as developer? Need more basic development skills to add to your skillset? In this article you will find a step by step guide of all the knowledge you need to turn yourself into a developer.
Transferring to a new job role can be overwhelming – where do you start studying for this new role? To help you out, Global Knowledge will write a monthly ‘How do I become a …’ series. In this article you will find the learning track for a specific job role you might be interested in.
This edition is for IT professionals that would like to have a career as developer, or developers that could use some additional knowledge. Because you know: the more you know, the more knowledge you turn out to be missing. We’ve listed on-demand and Virtual Classroom training courses for you.
Keep developing yourself
Developers always continue learning. Think of it as a rabbit hole you jump in once you enter your new job role as a developer. The more you learn, the more you find out you are still missing knowledge. Hopefully I didn’t scare you off – here we go.
Considering a career as a developer? Start here
Maybe you are experienced with code or you’ve copy-pasted some things from Stack Overflow. Obviously, that won’t be enough. It’s important you start understanding the basics. The basics would be starting to understand how a computer interprets instructions but also starting to learn a programming language. You can get started with the training courses listed below.
In the Virtual Classroom
These training courses will take place in the Global Knowledge Virtual Classroom. In the Virtual Classroom you study the basics of programming in different programming languages. You will learn from our expert instructors but also from interacting with fellow participants.
The first training course you can attend is the Introduction to programming (M10975).
Once you’ve finished this training course, you need to make a decision: would you rather be a front-end (user centered, working on web pages and interfaces), full stack or back-end (systems that communicate with each other in the 'back-end' of an application or website) developer?
Full stack development is centered around all layers of development (what's in a name). As a full stack developer, you understand back- and front-end development.
Pick from the training courses listed below:
- React/Angular (GK0781 or GK0782)
- Python (GK2354 or GK2351)
- Node JS Fundamentals (LO035419)
- Java Programming Introduction (GK0391)
- Programming in C# (M20483)
Train at your own pace with on-demand courses
You can follow courses at your own pace on GK Polaris Launch and Skillsoft's Percipio Tech & Dev which is included in a Discovery subscription. This learning platform contains all the topics you need, such as Python, Java and a lot more. If you have a Discovery subscription, log into your Global Knowledge account to access Percipio on GK Polaris Launch.
I have learned a lot from the CS50 YouTube channel. This is an interesting channel with lectures from Harvard University about Computer Science.
Next: how do you work together in a team?
Once you have attended the training courses from the first part of this article, it’s time for the next step. Developers don’t work on their own as much as they used to – they are often part of a team. These training courses prepare you for a role as developer in a team with other IT professionals, in particular in an Agile organization.
Virtual Classroom
SCRUM Foundation (SCRUM-F)
Train at your own pace with on-demand courses
Introduction to Agile
Last but not least: get ready for future changes
Most organizations have moved completely or partially to the cloud. This means need skills for developing in the cloud too. The training courses listed below are for developers that work in a cloud-based environment.
Virtual Classroom
- Azure Fundamentals (M-AZ-900T01) or AWS Fundamentals (GK4501 or GK4502)
- Azure Developer (M-AZ204) or (Advanced) Development on AWS (GK4504 or GK4505)
- Azure DevOps (M-AZ400) or DevOps Engineering on AWS (GK1979)
Train at your own pace with on-demand courses (over three hours of content)
Cloud fundamentals
What’s next?
According to AG Connect, the shortage of software and application developers on the Dutch job market exists due to a shortage on specific knowledge. After you’ve finished the courses listed in this article, you can decide to focus yourself on a specific topic. Secure Programming for example or deepen your knowledge with a training course about Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence.
You can also decide to verify your knowledge with a certification. This is the ultimate proof of your expertise to your current and potential employer. On this page, you can find out more about getting certified at Global Knowledge.
