Why you should consider a Career as a Software Developer in the Philippines
There’s a common misconception among Filipinos (including most of my relatives) that people who pursue to get a degree in Computer Science or Information Technology are bound to get a job fixing computers, being call center agents, or even worse - repairing appliances.
Granted, there isn’t much information in the media surrounding the IT industry in the Philippines (ironic isn’t it?) but IT isn’t simply just fixing computers or hacking your neighbor’s WiFi. It’s a broad subject which ranges from computer hardware, software, operating systems, databases, and so on…
Reading the title you might ask,
What does a software developer actually do?
You’re probably reading this from your social media app or your favorite web browser, software developers are the innovative minds behind these things that you use everyday and are responsible for creating all your favorite applications and websites. Furthermore, businesses rely on software to keep them going. Almost all industries including healthcare, banking, and travel rely on software and even disrupted several industries such as taxi (Grab and Angkas), food (GrabFood and FoodPanda), retail (Lazada and Shopee), and even the hotel industry (Airbnb).
So, why should you get a job as a software developer?
1. Top pay
Software developers are among the highest paid jobs in the Philippines. Reports and statistics by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in partnership with the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), reveals that the estimated monthly salary for developers is PHP 52,331.
This is accurate for developers who have more than 2–3 years of experience but for senior-level developers, they easily earn six figure salaries.
What about for entry-level developers?
According to moneymax.ph, entry-level software developers earn an average monthly salary of PHP 21,947, but being a fresh graduate myself, it all really depends on the actual skills that you have, the company that you choose, and how you negotiate your salary. If you worked hard on all three, a monthly salary reaching to PHP 40,000 as a fresh graduate is definitely achievable.
2. Work anywhere
Software developers are not tethered to their offices. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, so you’re not even restricted to your home! You can literally go anywhere in the world and still work. If you have to go home to the province for your Lola’s birthday or travel to Siargao for a quick summer dip, software developer jobs allow you to still have regular income while you travel.
If you don’t end up working from home, then at least with a job in software development, a comfortable working environment is always guaranteed. Air-conditioning, a comfortable chair, fast internet connection, and even unlimited coffee. Software developer jobs don’t make you work outside in the intense hot Philippine weather!
3. Transferable skills
Your skills can be translated and transferred to any country and any company. Software developer jobs usually all work on the same basis, so that means you can move company, country or even field, and still have the necessary skills to find a good job. And most of the time, moving into a new company means a good pay increase too!
4. High demand
I don’t know a single developer connection of mine that’s good and without a job or something to do. Good developers are always in high demand. You might not be able to find a job in Microsoft or Apple, but local companies are desperate to find good talent. While machines and AI are automating other jobs, there will certainly be more demand for developers in the future, to develop new software or maintain an existing one.
5. Creativity
This might not apply to everyone but I consider software development as a highly creative profession. It might not be drawing or painting, but whenever I create something new and develop solutions for other people, there’s always that immense satisfaction. It’s a great creative outlet and many times you experiment with several technologies, only to find that it doesn’t work or it’s not a good way, so you choose another method. You will always keep learning.
Conclusion
If you find sitting in a chair all day and writing code to be boring, then it might not be for you. But if you like challenges, solving problems, and creating something new, you should definitely consider getting a job as a software developer.
With every breath we take, we must commit to being that change, and to creating a better, more just world for everyone. — Tim Cook
