Are New and Changing Technologies Attracting New Types of Developers?

Will the emergence of new technologies and the evolution of legacy technologies redefine what it means to be a developer? Will changes in the technologies themselves be the driver behind creating a more diverse developer workforce?

Developers are no longer the stereotypes we see on TV and in the movies, spending their days in a back room coding. The mold has been broken. Yes, it’s important as a developer to have strong coding skills, but it’s also becoming increasingly more important to possess skills outside of coding. Today, the strongest software engineers can communicate with both the technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Today’s developers can be the face within their organization for the technologies they are using, even promoting the use of new and updated ones. It’s no longer simply executing a project, but rather delivering an experience. And it is this very thing that is attractive and holds a great deal of appeal, especially to those who wouldn’t be considered a “traditional” developer.

Simply look at the way technology companies are branding themselves and the words they’re using:

• Salesforce: We believe everyone can be a Trailblazer, and we’re building the technology to make it happen.

• ServiceNow: Deliver great experiences at work.

• Pegasystems: For the past 30 years, our technology – CRM, digital process automation, robotics, AI, and more – has empowered the world’s leading companies to achieve breakthrough results.

Whether you’re joining one of these companies or using one of their products, there’s a sense of empowerment and inclusion, that today’s developer is no longer a “behind the scenes” resource, but rather an integral member of their company, someone who is making a direct impact as part of a team. That’s appealing, especially to millennials, who look beyond the day to day operational aspects of a position but place more value on what impact they can make on the company and client satisfaction.

According to The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2017, “It is in the workplace where millennials feel most influential and, in turn, accountable. This is an important point for businesses to acknowledge as it offers a platform from which to build each employee’s sense of purpose and, ultimately, a more engaged workforce. Millennials believe they have the greatest level of accountability for, and influence on, client satisfaction. Indeed, across the six most “important” aspects that we measured, perceived levels of accountability are very closely correlated with influence; for millennials in senior roles, there is even stronger alignment.”

This is important for employers to think about when hiring. It’s not just about hiring someone with the necessary technical skills. It’s about hiring someone who wants to make an impact and feel that they have influence within the organization. New and changing technologies are supporting this and helping to drive more empowered developers.