High School
Enroll in as many programming, database management, web development, artificial intelligence, and other computer science classes, as possible. Mathematics, speech, English, business, and psychology courses will also be useful. Become active in your school’s computer club or local technology groups and participate in coding competitions.
Postsecondary Education
Back-end developers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, database management, computer engineering, web development, information technology (IT), mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Some developers augment their degrees by earning specialized micro degrees or certificates in information security, AI, cloud computing, or machine learning.
Tech education companies also provide bootcamps that provide shorter-term training paths for entry into the field. For example, General Assembly offers a software engineering immersive boot camp that covers both front-end and back-end development. Udacity and Udemy also provide bootcamps and classes.
Certification
A growing number of schools offer certificates in back-end development. For example, Harvard College’s Division of Continuing Education offers a back-end web development graduate certificate. Required classes in the program include Designing and Developing Relational and NoSQL Databases; Database Systems; and Programming in Scala for Big Data Systems. Elective courses include Systems Programming and Machine Organization; Fundamentals of Cloud Computing and OpenAI with Microsoft Azure; Introduction to C, Unix/Linux Programming, and Web Interfaces; and Web Programming with Python and JavaScript. Many colleges and universities offer certificates in web development, software engineering, and other IT–related fields. Contact schools in your area to learn more about available programs.
Other Education or Training
Pursuing continuing education is important in any career, but even more so in software development because both software and hardware continue to evolve on what seems like an almost daily basis. Professional development in-person classes and webinars are offered by IT associations and organizations, colleges and universities, and online learning platforms.
- 3-D Printing Specialists
- Agile Coaches or Trainers
- App Services Workers
- Artificial Intelligence Specialists
- Augmented Reality Developers
- Automation Engineers
- Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Test Drivers
- Big Data Developers
- Biometrics Systems Specialists
- Blockchain Developers
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Chief Robotics Officer
- Clinical Data Managers
- Cloud Engineers
- Computer and Office Machine Service Technicians
- Computer and Video Game Designers
- Computer Network Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Support Service Owners
- Computer Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Programmer/Analysts
- Computer Trainers
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Cryptocurrency Specialists
- Customer Success Managers
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Data Entry Clerks
- Data Processing Technicians
- Data Scientists
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Database Specialists
- Deepfake Professionals
- Digital Agents
- Digital Designers
- Digital Workplace Experience Engineers
- Document Management Specialists
- Driverless Car Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Electronics Service Technicians
- Embedded Systems Engineers
- Enterprise Architects
- Ergonomists
- ETL Developers
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Full Stack Developers/Engineers
- Futurists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Graphic Designers
- Graphics Programmers
- Hardware Engineers
- Health Informaticists
- Help Desk Representatives
- Industrial Designers
- Information Assurance Analysts
- Information Brokers
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Technology Consultants
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Information Technology Security Consultants
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Developers
- Internet Executives
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet of Things Developers
- Internet Quality Assurance Specialists
- Internet Security Specialists
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Internet Transaction Specialists
- JavaScript Developers
- Machine Learning Engineers
- Mathematicians
- Microelectronics Technicians
- Mobile Software Developers
- Model View Controller Developers
- Network Operations Center Engineers
- Network Operations Center Technicians
- Online Gambling Specialists
- Online Journalists
- Online Producers
- Personal Privacy Advisors
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Product Owners
- Professional Hackers
- Project Managers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Salesforce Developers
- Scrum Masters
- Search Engine Optimization Specialists
- Semiconductor Technicians
- Site Reliability Engineers
- Smart Building Systems Designers
- Social Media Workers
- Software Application Developers
- Software Designers
- Software Engineers
- Software Quality Assurance Testers
- Solutions Architects
- Systems Setup Specialists
- Technical Support Specialists
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Technology Ethicists
- Unity Developers
- User Experience Designers
- Visual Interaction Designers
- Webmasters
- Wireless Service Technicians
