Web and mobile applications play a central role in our modern digital lives. Easy to access and enjoyable to use, these apps foster connection while also introducing us to new concepts and perspectives.
Developers deserve a great deal of credit for bringing us these amazing apps, but there’s far more to this career than glory. The best developers feel driven to create and will not be satisfied until their innovations have reached the mainstream.
Do you feel compelled to bring your most ambitious ideas to the tech world? You could have a bright future as a mobile app developer. As you explore web and mobile app development, you will uncover unique opportunities to improve a variety of online tasks and platforms. In this guide, we will reveal the perks of developing web and mobile apps, and what it takes to thrive in this exciting, but competitive field.
What Is Web and Mobile App Development?
Understanding web and mobile app development begins with recognizing what exactly an application involves and how it is created. Simply put, an application carries out a specific, predefined task, but not a task required to operate the computer or device on which the application is run. Rather, the end user interacts directly with the application, which then drives specific functions.
App development describes the complex processes required when planning, designing, testing, and maintaining applications. For applications to function optimally, developers must determine what exactly end users need and how specific functions can help users achieve specific goals. From there, wireframes and prototypes can be created, followed by actually writing the code for the application and testing it thoroughly.
While applications take many forms, they are increasingly created for web-based purposes or to be used on mobile devices. Each type of application comes with unique development challenges, but across the spectrum of app development, there lies a common thread of innovation. It takes hard work to develop mobile apps, but the rewards can be significant, as we will discuss below.
10 Benefits of Earning a Degree in Web and Mobile App Development
Web and mobile app development is a dynamic and quickly growing field, with a lot to offer for creative and tech-savvy individuals. There are several ways to enter this promising sector, but one of the most reliable paths to success involves earning a targeted degree. This promotes comprehensive skill development while also helping aspiring developers expand their professional network and leverage experiential learning opportunities.
Not sure if you are the ideal candidate for an app development degree? Below, we will highlight a few of the main advantages of studying web and mobile application development:
1. High Demand for Skilled Developers
Web development is one of today’s fastest-growing fields. Consumers have an insatiable appetite for new digital content and unique ways of consuming or interacting with that content. Developers promise to meet this demand by creating or adapting an array of websites and mobile applications, which are carefully designed to meet users’ high expectations.
2. Competitive Salaries
High demand tends to drive high salaries when labor gaps exist, and this is certainly the case in web and mobile application development. While earnings can vary considerably depending on training, experience, and geographic location, it is clear that developers have the ability to easily hit six figures and to continue improving their earning power over time.
3. Diverse Career Opportunities
App development skills are widely relevant. Across several fields, professionals are expected to demonstrate mastery of programming languages, algorithmic processes, and data structures. These skills can be leveraged in cybersecurity, data science, and user experience design. Additional opportunities allow developers to explore their interest in graphic design, DevOps, or quality assurance.
Beyond this, a diverse array of opportunities can be found specifically within the app development space. These relate to different types of apps, which involve many sectors. For example, those passionate about fitness can help others lead active lifestyles by developing exercise-oriented apps, while those with a passion for lifelong learning may create apps centered around education or professional development.
4. Flexibility and Remote Work
Today’s tech-driven professionals increasingly prioritize work-life balance, which, for some, encompasses flexible work arrangements. For instance, the ability to work preferred hours or even to complete essential tasks from home or on a hybrid basis.
Such flexibility is well within reach for app developers, and many are eager to make the most of these opportunities. Insights from Turing suggest that over half of developers prefer to work from home indefinitely. Numerous others also express that their organizations have done well with the pandemic-prompted shift to remote work.
5. Creative and Innovative Work
A number of today’s most exciting tech-oriented fields possess a distinct creative element, encouraging developers to uncover and pursue lofty ideas — including new ways of navigating the digital world. The most impactful developers are also the most creative, with innovative thinking also spurred by their ongoing exposure to the most cutting-edge technologies.
Agile methodologies spark further innovations, encouraging an iterative approach in which some team members contribute to experimental initiatives. This spirit of creativity and collaboration is deeply appealing to app developers, who crave the satisfaction of creation.
6. Job Satisfaction and Career Fulfillment
Between high earnings, flexible work arrangements, and creative opportunities, it is easy to see why so many app developers feel proud of their accomplishments and excited about upcoming opportunities. Not all fields provide such a unique blend of earning power, work-life balance, and creative opportunity.
These advantages drive excellent job satisfaction. For reference, insights from CareerExplorer place app development in the top third of careers according to professional happiness. Additionally, survey respondents claim to find their work environments enjoyable, noting that their personalities are closely aligned with their everyday work tasks.
7. Entrepreneurial Opportunities
While plenty of web and mobile app developers are employed by major tech enterprises, this is also an excellent field for those with entrepreneurial ambitions. Entrepreneurs need to handle a wide range of development tasks, so well-rounded preparation is a must. Ideally, this means taking not only tech-oriented classes, but also courses that explore business fundamentals.
With sufficient training and a strong concept, ambitious developers can create, and eventually launch, their own apps, securing revenue via subscriptions or in-app purchases. Similarly, training to be mobile app developers can be useful for those who anticipate that mobile or web applications will play a large role in attracting clients or customers down the road.
Speaking to her appreciation for this field, app developer Amy Linn explains, “Making the switch to being an app developer was the best career move I ever made,” adding that she finds it highly rewarding to be “immersed in the problem-solving flow and coming up with a well-shaped solution.”
8. Strong Foundation in Technical Skills
While preparing for a bright future in app development, students rely on comprehensive, tech-driven courses to equip them with today’s most in-demand skills. Ideally, this will include thorough coverage of foundational practices such as database administration or enterprise architecture.
Concentration courses may delve into front-end and back-end development, also exploring user experience and practical skills such as HTML and Java. Meanwhile, a broad-based education encourages students to integrate technical concepts with leadership practices, such as project management and organizational behavior.
9. Constant Learning and Skill Development
Due to the fast pace of web and mobile app development, there is constantly a need to refresh skills, especially tech-oriented competencies that can quickly feel out of date. While app development degree programs expose students to the latest and greatest tools, another advantage offers far more longevity. This is the development of an agile mindset, with students discovering the importance and joy of continuous learning.
While any professional with any academic background can embrace a spirit of lifelong learning, this is more easily pursued when equipped with a few basic competencies. In mobile and app development, programming language mastery is especially important as these languages make it far easier to pursue additional skills over time.
10. Networking Opportunities
A small, but growing community of passionate professionals have demonstrated a clear commitment to developing the most cutting-edge web and mobile applications. These development experts enjoy bouncing ideas off one another as they connect over their shared spirit of innovation.
While many rely on conferences and conventions for networking, this journey can begin far earlier while enrolled in an app developer degree program. Top degree programs expose aspiring developers to the industry’s most ambitious professionals, including experienced developers who have already contributed to some of today’s most notable apps.
Through class-based discussions and other college-oriented networking activities, students can build strong relationships, which will remain influential years after graduation. These relationships can uncover powerful job opportunities and are appreciated simply because it is rewarding to discuss app development with similarly passionate individuals.
In addition to providing a wealth of networking opportunities while enrolled, an app developer degree can open the door to additional networking options later on. Many graduates draw on a robust alumni network, including not only those who have studied app development, but also a wide range of other graduates who may boast strong connections.
Start Your App Development Degree at Baker College
You could have a bright future in web and mobile app development, but first, you will want to feel confident about your technological skill set. If you desire extra guidance as you embark on this promising career journey, look to Baker College for support.Offered alongside our Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, the Web and Mobile Application Development concentration equips students with the broad skill set needed to create responsive applications that appeal to today’s discerning users. Reach out today to learn more about this concentration or other opportunities within our BS in Information Systems program.