NB: Please note with Natalie - So ...You want to be a Java Developer?

If you’re a software developer who is aspiring to specialize in Java development, then this article might be worth a quick read, it will provide you with a few insights into what the current java market looks like along with some trends and a few predictions about where the market is headed that I’m sure will show you just how exciting a career as a specialist java developer can be!

So you want to be a Java Developer…?

Firstly, kudos to you!!! This is a great career choice to make. Even after all this time, Java remains one of the top three most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. This is probably due to the fact that Java has been able to evolve very efficiently over time and can be applied to many different tech environments and platforms.?

Java tends to be used the most within bigger companies with large teams and is most popular at an enterprise level. This is most likely due to the fact that it’s a language that is highly scalable, flexible, low maintenance, fast processing, supports millions of libraries and many different hardware devices all while being simpler than C & C++. Whilst writing this article I came across a cool acronym in relation to Java - Some sources refer to the language as “WORE” which stands for “Write Once, Run Everywhere”, this insinuates that Java gives developers and teams the option to work with multiple third-parties to implement their solutions.?

Java can also be used in many contexts and has many applications such as reactive programming, machine learning/AI, big data, IoT, serverless, and even mobile development. Small companies can rarely afford to work on such expensive and resource-intensive projects, therefore, the domains that tend to use java the most include FinTech (ie. banking & payments) retail, gaming, and healthcare, so if working for a larger company or a company that will be aiming to scale in its lifespan then Java is definitely a language you should consider specializing in. My advice: if you're interested in looking into roles that will be java based I’d start with networking with people at companies in the domains mentioned above (some of which I can connect you with myself).

If you’re looking to start your career as a Java developer or even if you’re a current Java developer who is looking for their next move it will be important for you to consider the kind of experience that is most in-demand by the current market at the moment.

Most companies are looking for technical skills in the following areas:

• Spring (includes knowledge of Spring and Spring Boot),
• AWS,
• Git,
• Docker,
• Jenkins,
• NoSQL databases.

Most Java roles will require you to perform tasks such as:

• Write code and tests, build prototypes, solve issues, profile and analyze bottlenecks
• Design perform, robust APIs to support mobile and desktop clients
• Manage and optimize scalable distributed systems on the cloud
• Optimization of web applications for performance and scalability
• Develop automated tests to ensure business needs are met and allow for regression testing

As you get more and more senior some companies might even look into candidates who have skills such as:

• Experience designing RESTful APIs, specifically for mobile apps
• Experience leading a team
• AWS and/or Android (kotlin) commercial experience depending on the company’s technical stack.?

To summarise, Java is a constantly evolving language and even after all these years it still sees a high level of demand and sets high standards for the Tech industry and it won't be going away anytime soon. Kickstarting your career in Java or making a move into a more Java-based role will surely provide you with a long, fulfilling (and highly paid ??) career pathway in the long run.?

If you’d like to know more about Java within the industry, gain market insights and potentially discuss some amazing Java-based roles with incredible companies then feel free to pop your CV and details over to [email protected] for a confidential chat with me. With any luck (and a little bit of guidance from yours truly) we can get you on your way to securing a fantastic new role! ???