Based on LinkedIn stats, Mobile Developer is one of the top 10 hard skill on demand in Tech. And Android Developer has become one of the hottest job.
The good news is to become one of them is not an impossible mission. As long as we are persistent on learning the skill. Here is a few step by step suggestion if you are interested to become Android Developer.
- Learn Java or Kotlin
Undoubtedly to become Android Developer, we should be comfortable to use Java or Kotlin. These languages are the main language for Native Android Development application. Java is the most common language used among Android Application, but lately Kotlin has been popular for its simplicity.
In the end of the day it doesn’t matter what language are we using. The one that matter is how deep we can master it.
Recommended online course : Udacity, kotlinlang.org
Recommended book : Head First Java, Head First Kotlin
2. Learn About Android sdk
After mastering Java/Kotlin, we can start to dive into the Android Application. Download and install Android Studio, follow all lesson from recommended resources to get a grab of Android Application fundamental.
It is also favorable if you study common Android framework libraries such as ButterKnife, Picasso/Glide, or Retrofit.
Recommended online course : Developer Android, Coding in flow
Recomended book : The Big Nerd Ranch Guide : Android Programming
3. Create app and publish it
While studying on the Android Development, think about what app that you want to create. It should be a fun and interesting app for you. Draw the mock on the paper and develop it as side project. This will also serve as implementation showcase of what you have been learn from point 2. It is recommended to create 2 app, publish them on the Google Play Store. Upload the source code on the github and make a professional nice readme.
4. Internship
At this point, you should be ready to gain more experience by working in team. Create a clean resume of what tech skill that you have learn. Mention the apps that you have been published inside. Look for paid internship position around your area.
If you can’t find paid internship, look for unpaid remote internship, most of the startup will accept unpaid internship online. As it is an unpaid internship, do it on free time while still keep your full time job as priority.
It is more important to find a good internship that have mentor to help and teach than looking at the internship pay. Find an internship in company that will give you a broad experience and good to put on your resume.
Resources : LinkedIn.com, AngelList
5. Launch your new career
Up until this point you can continue to search full time Android Developer job while serving internship. You can also attend more professional meetup such as GDG on your area to widen your network in this industry. As your experience growing, the opportunity for full time job will increase as well.
You may feel intimidated and overwhelmed, but all Android Developer (whether with CS education or self learn programmer) has been through these step to reach where they are now. Best of luck ..
If you are self learn developer, please share your experience on the comments area to encourage more Junior Developer to not give up.
