Herzing Blog

A career in software development can take a lot of different forms. You can focus on web development, mobile apps, embedded systems, and more.

Virtually every industry needs software solutions, and the impact your work can have is enormous.

So what specific options are there, and what are the essential skills you need to pursue them?

In this blog, we explore the wide range of career opportunities within the software development sector. Discover the most important programming languages, frameworks, and technologies to focus on. Plus, get the latest details on job prospects and industry trends.

Eric Colaciello spent a few years pursuing post-secondary training in social science and urban studies before realizing that path just wasn’t right for him. After doing some self-reflection and exploring the available options, he decided to strike out in a totally new direction—and enrolled in the online software development program at Herzing College.

He had no experience with either coding or remote learning. But he persevered, graduating in October 2023 and landing contract work with the same organization where he’d done his internship.

We spoke with Eric to get his impressions of the program and the online learning experience in general. Here are the highlights of that conversation.

Updated December 2023

You've probably heard there's strong demand for software developers and programmers. But exactly what kinds of jobs can you get as a total beginner? And what salary will you make just starting out?

It can be tricky to get a clear picture of entry-level programming jobs. Employers have very different ideas about what skills a beginner should have, depending on the clients they serve and the projects they work on.

To make things easier, we analyzed dozens of programmer job postings on sites like Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn. From there, we identified the four most common entry-level jobs in software development and programming.

In this post, we describe each role, including the average salary for candidates with little-to-no experience (based on the latest data from the Government of Canada Job Bank). We also provide details on the demand for programmers and developers, the skills employers look for, and how you can position yourself for success.

The software development field has changed enormously over the past two decades. Today, there are hundreds of different programming languages for various uses, the focus is on cloud computing, and agile methodologies allow for faster, more collaborative development.

Naresh Nagandla has plenty of first-hand experience with these changes. He’s been working in the software field for more than 15 years, in both development and teaching roles. And he recently became an instructor for the software development program at Herzing College.

We caught up with Naresh to learn more about his career journey and what students can expect from the course.

Here are the highlights of our conversation.

Updated January 2023

Software development is a field that’s just exploding with opportunities across Canada. According to data from the Labour Market Information Council, there have been more than 11,000 online job postings for programmers annually for the last three years. What’s more, developers came in at number one on Randstad’s list of the top 15 jobs in Canada in 2023.

That’s why Herzing College launched a 12-month diploma program in software development. Delivered online, it provides comprehensive training in a variety of programming languages so that you can be ready to take advantage of growing career opportunities.

So just what can you expect from the program? To find out, we spoke with course designer Derek Lewis.

Updated July 2023

Interested in becoming a programmer? Concerned that it might be too difficult to break into the field?

The good news is that you can complete programming training in a fairly short time and be ready to join the workforce.

But if you want to land great jobs and move up in the programming field, you will need a specific set of skills and characteristics. You’ll also need to know how to handle a few challenges programmers typically face when trying to move their careers forward.

We studied industry data and spoke with some programming pros to get a sense of just how hard it is to get started in the field.

Here’s what you need to know.

Updated December 2023

In the information technology industry, the line between different jobs can be very blurry. Such is the case with programmers, developers, and software engineers.

They all create computer programs, right? So what’s the difference between these roles?

The answer largely depends on who you ask. Every company defines the positions slightly differently, and some use the job titles interchangeably.

However, there can be important distinctions between these three roles.

In this post, we show you how the roles of programmers, developers, and software engineers compare. You’ll see how these three jobs stack up in terms of tasks, salaries, training requirements, and more.

Let’s get to it.

Updated July 2023

Making it as a programmer analyst is about so much more than learning how to code. This occupation demands a surprisingly broad skillset that ranges from IT mastery to creativity, communications, problem solving, diplomacy, and business savvy.

Programmer analysts are in demand because they provide essential services organizations need to overcome technical challenges, increase productivity, and meet the complex needs of clients and users.

So, what do you need to break into this industry? What's the profile of a successful programmer analyst, and what kinds of skills can you expect to learn in programmer analyst training?

Updated July 2023

The short answer is yes. You can become a programmer without earning a university degree in computer science or software engineering. 

The longer answer is a bit more complicated. Starting your career without a degree will mean doing quite a bit of self-study and self-training. You need to be a hard worker and highly motivated to succeed. 

The truth is, this field is big (there are hundreds of programming languages!) and it’s changing all the time. Even with a degree, you’ll spend a lot of time studying new tech and teaching yourself new skills. 

So this begs the question: If you don’t want to go to university, what’s the best way to get your programming career off the ground? 

Updated December 2023

If you're considering a career in tech, you might be veering toward fields like programming, network administration, or technical support.

These are all good options for someone who wants to train quickly for jobs that are in demand and growing fast across the country.

But which path should you choose? In this post, we're taking a closer look at the role of software developer. We break down the most common pros and cons of this job (and other key facts you should know) so you can figure out if this career is right for you.

No job is perfect. But if you know what to expect in advance, you'll have a much better chance of investing in the right training program, and actually feeling satisfied in your work over the long term.