The best way to find out more about this career is to learn programming languages that are frequently used by back-end developers. These include Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, and Node.js. The following online learning platforms offer free or low-cost classes in coding: Code Academy (https://www.codecademy.com), edX (https://www.edx.org), Coursera (https://www.coursera.org), and Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org). You should also take programming classes in high school.
Learn as much as you can about artificial intelligence (AI), as well as generative AI and machine learning (forms of AI), which developers are increasingly incorporating into software.
Listen to Software Engineering Radio (https://www.computer.org/resources/podcasts) and other podcasts to learn more about software development. Additionally, read XRDS (https://xrds.acm.org), the Association for Computing Machinery's magazine for students.
Other ways to explore this career include watching videos about programming on YouTube; participating in IT-related summer exploration programs that are offered by colleges and universities, park districts, and high schools; conducting information interviews with back-end developers; and getting involved in programming and other IT-related competitions, including the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (https://www.waicy.org) and competitions offered at Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com).
- 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
