In the fast-paced, continually evolving world of tech and software development, standing out and achieving success isn’t a simple feat. Many developers opt to begin their careers as generalists, gaining skills in various fields. However, there is a compelling case to be made for specializing, or finding your niche within the industry as your career progresses. But how can you figure out what niche is right for you while mastering the basic skills you need to start your career?
How To Find Software Niches
Once you have the foundational technical skills down, you should start widening your horizons. While trying to broaden your horizons might sound counterintuitive to finding a niche, it’s actually essential. Enroll in certification programs or courses that might be outside the typical scope of data science and programming, like network administration, cybersecurity, or even game design. Experiment and test out the skills you’ve learned in unique ways, like partnering with other students in different majors to assist them with problems they need help solving. These different experiences allow you to figure out what you like doing, where you excel, and possibly what niche you might want to pursue later on.
“You might be working in a software development domain but you might also be working on banking, fashion, hospitality…there [are] so many different areas you could go into. It’s good to broaden your experiences because your mind might change while you’re in the program,” said Dr. Angela Ramnarine-Rieks, Computer Software Development instructor at Villa.
Benefits of Software Niches
You’ll Have Expertise
Beyond the basics, having a lot of knowledge in a particular area of computer science and software development can be more valuable to potential employers than having a little knowledge on a lot of topics. Having a deep understanding of a niche means you’ll have a unique perspective on the problems that the software development industry faces. Having expertise in software niches also provides you with the necessary skills, tools, and techniques to be able to solve those problems.
You Can Align Your Career With Your Interests
Software development careers aren’t exactly cut and dry. While they all require you to have the same core technical skills and experience, some software niches have different soft skill demands. If you’re creative, you might prefer working on web development or mobile application creation projects as opposed to cloud computing or DevOps which are more about practical, rational approaches. Consider the types of projects that you enjoy working on or excel at. They might make a good niche for you as you progress in your career after graduation.
You Can Get Specialized Jobs
There’s no doubt that software development jobs are competitive. Having a niche not only allows you to stand out from the competition, but can also make you eligible for different opportunities. Think about the many kinds of software industries and companies in and outside of tech. Companies in all sectors need specialized technical solutions. Being a developer with a focused niche puts you in the unique position to be able to fulfill needs that more general software developers likely can’t.
Having General Skills Has Its Own Benefits
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with choosing to be a jack-of-all-trades developer. It even has benefits of its own. Most software developers tend to start generally, working on all kinds of different projects. They’re good at adapting and usually have more job opportunities available to them. However, it’s important to note that, while there may be fewer of them, niche software jobs can be financially and professionally rewarding for those who obtain them.
Find Your Path in Software Development at Villa
Interested in working in the computer software development industry? Villa Maria College is the place for you. Our students master the basics and go on to take classes in web development, network administration, computing, and more in a hands-on learning environment. Reach out today to learn more about our four-year degree program as well as certifications in IT support, UX design, and IT automation with Python.
