- Software development remains a resilient, high-demand career path, with strong growth projected and many entry-level opportunities even amid economic uncertainty.
- Genesis10’s Dev10 program provides paid, barrier-free training (such as a Java bootcamp) and real client project experience to help STEM graduates and career changers launch software developer careers.
- The program hires for passion and potential over prior experience and includes at least two years of onsite project work.
- An application process with aptitude testing and hands-on coding helps candidates assess fit for the role.
Job Outlook for Software Developers
In September, which certainly was a far different time, demand for software developers was forecast to grow 21% through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This outlook underscores a resilient software developer career path.
- Despite the devastating effects of the pandemic and the shuttered economy on the job market, new job postings for IT occupations still totaled more than 220,000 nationwide in May, according to CompTIA.
- Software developers and application developers are still in highest demand, with an estimated 69,300 job postings.
- Many of these are entry-level software developer jobs that serve as a strong first step.
- Companies are also seeking IT support specialists, systems engineers and architects, systems analysts and web developers.
- Industries with the most job postings for IT professionals include professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance and manufacturing.
Why This Path Is Promising for STEM Graduates
With a still rosy jobs outlook, the role of software developer is a promising career choice for recent STEM graduates who are now looking for just the right opportunity.
The Experience Gap
As a recruiter, I work with recent college graduates, and often hear of the struggle of needing a job to get experience, but not being able to get experience without a job. If you're wondering how to become a software developer, structured training and real project experience can bridge the gap. At the same time, the technology field is growing, but employers who are willing to hire junior talent look for graduates with specific experience, like Java training. In 2018, Genesis10 decided to do something to give college graduates an edge in the market, and our clients the talent they seek, by providing software developer training and client project experience in one program — Dev10.
Introducing Genesis10’s Dev10 Program
Who It’s For
Genesis10's Dev10 program is built for college graduates with a STEM degree interested in launching a Software Developer career. Most candidates I speak to for Dev10 do not have a degree in computer science or experience in the field. They have backgrounds in chemistry, biology, engineering, math, physics, accounting or finance. We also meet professionals considering a career change to software development.
A Participant Story: Natalie
They all have a story about how they first got interested in software development. Take Natalie, a Dev10 Associate, for example. She has a degree in Nutritional Sciences and Biochemistry with a Health Informatics internship. "I worked in research but not the technical aspects like software development," she says. "I was always interested, but never had the opportunity." Our goal with Dev10 is to give consultants that opportunity — to participate in a Java bootcamp, grow their skills and apply them in a corporate setting.
Paid, Barrier-Free Training
Many candidates for Dev10 tell me that they learned too late in their college degree program that they should have picked computer science as a major. At that point, it's often too costly in both time and money to change programs. I understand the need to get into the workforce and start making money. Most recent graduates have student loans and bills to pay. We considered this when creating Dev10, and to remove any cost barriers, we cover the cost of training and pay the consultants during this time. In other words, it's paid software developer training that prepares you for real client work.
Real-World Project Experience
When I talk about Dev10, people often tell me that while they code as a hobby, they do not think of it as a career. One of our goals is to help them do just that by giving our Dev10 consultants the chance to apply what they learn in training in our software development bootcamp in a corporate setting. It is one thing to know how to code, but coders also have to know how to code for a company. The Dev10 program includes at least two years of onsite project work for our clients, allowing the consultants to really use their software developer skills.
Our Hiring Philosophy
Overall with Dev10, we are changing how recent STEM graduates think about launching a career as a software developer. We hire passion and potential, not experience.
Application Process
Not sure if becoming a software developer is the right career move for you? Our application process is designed to help you figure out if this career path is a fit. We'll give you an aptitude test and the chance to learn and practice some coding skills. We think it is valuable to take this time to figure out if you really want to launch a career as a software developer. If the answer is yes, then Dev10 could be the right choice to break into the field of software development — even with no experience.
Q&A
Is software development still a strong career choice despite economic uncertainty?
Answer: Yes. The role remains resilient, with demand for software developers forecast to grow 21% through 2028—much faster than average. Even amid pandemic-related disruptions, there were over 220,000 new IT job postings in May (per CompTIA), including an estimated 69,300 for software and application developers. Many of these are entry-level roles, making software development a promising path for new STEM graduates and career changers.
Who is a good fit for Genesis10’s Dev10 program?
Answer: Dev10 is designed for college graduates with STEM degrees and for professionals changing careers—even if you don’t have a computer science degree or prior industry experience. Candidates often come from fields like chemistry, biology, engineering, math, physics, accounting, or finance. Dev10 hires for passion and potential, not just past experience, and is well-suited for people who’ve coded as a hobby and want to turn that interest into a career.
What training and experience does Dev10 provide?
Answer: Dev10 offers paid, barrier-free training—such as a Java bootcamp—covering the cost of training and paying consultants during this period. It bridges the “need experience to get a job” gap by combining structured learning with real client project work. The program includes at least two years of onsite project experience in a corporate setting, helping you learn how to code for a company and build a strong professional foundation.
How does the application process help me decide if software development is right for me?
Answer: The process includes an aptitude test and opportunities to learn and practice coding, giving you a realistic sense of the work and your fit for the role. It’s intentionally designed to help you determine whether launching a software developer career aligns with your interests and strengths before you commit.
What other IT roles and industries are hiring besides software developers?
Answer: In addition to software and application developers, companies are seeking IT support specialists, systems engineers and architects, systems analysts, and web developers. Hiring spans multiple industries, with the most postings in professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance, and manufacturing. Many openings—especially in development—are entry-level, offering strong first steps into tech.
