Many, but not all, software developers earn a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering. That trend is changing, and many employers will accept candidates who have earned certificates or learned through bootcamps, internships or other on-the-job training. All pathways require a focus on learning how to build software and how to write computer code, which is the foundation of the occupation. However, it’s worth noting that writing code is not what many software developers do every day.There are several paths to advance or branch out, including IT project management and other roles that focus on aspects of the software development process. That's just one of the reasons it's considered one of the hottest, most in-demand skilled jobs. A developer can also move laterally in the information technology industry and become a network and computer systems administrator.