Essential Technical Skills for Android Developers
The following are a few skills Android developers should have to be successful.
Building User Interfaces. You should be able to convert a design into a functional Android application using Java and XML. To do this, you’ll need to know how to use all conventional view containers and know all the standard views and other components that may come up in an Android app.
Data Storage and Notifications. You should know how to store, update, and delete information on an Android device. Even if you rely on outside APIs for an app, you’ll still need to store information locally, on the user’s device. Further, you should be able to implement push notifications to reach users.
Material Design Guidelines. Many Android apps use the Material Design framework, created by Google in 2014. You should know about how Material Design works in the context of designing and developing new apps. You should also be familiar with how to implement basic Material Design guidelines into an application.
Essential Soft Skills for Mobile App Developers
To be a successful mobile app developer, you’ll need to have a set of “soft” skills. The soft skills you should have include:
Problem Solving. All coding jobs require some element of problem-solving and analytical thinking. You should be able to think through a problem effectively and figure out a way to solve that problem using code. You should also be able to fix problems in existing code or make changes to an application to meet new specifications.
Attention to Detail. Details matter in coding — each detail will affect the output of a program. One typo could cause an application to crash or not function as intended. You should spend time considering every detail when you are coding.
Teamwork. As a mobile app developer, you’ll most likely have to work on a team. You should be able to respond well in collaborative environments and work well with others to accomplish a certain task. You may also have to provide support to the rest of your team, which you can only do if you can work well with others.
How to Become a Mobile App Developer: Step-by-Step
There are a few steps you need to think about in order to become a mobile app developer. These are as follows:
Choose an app development career path
Learn the skills you need through college, a Bootcamp, or self-study
Develop and refine your technical skills
Build your app development portfolio
Write your technical resume
Start looking for a job
Prepare for an interview
Career Karma is here to help you through every step of your journey to becoming a mobile app developer. We’ll provide you with free coaching, mentorship, and access to a community of your peers to hold you accountable for your progress.
We can also help you prepare for and get accepted to one of the top mobile app development bootcamps, so you can get the training you need to succeed in your new career!
October 14, 2020