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Digital Developer - TIle

Digital Developer

Digital Developers build websites, apps and other digital products for agencies and their clients. Working with Digital Designers, they turn designs and ideas into functional digital experiences that give people the right information and work reliably.

They use front-end and back-end technologies, databases and hosting platforms to bring ideas to life. Some developers specialise in one area, while others work across the full technology stack.

Digital development is also collaborative. Developers interpret requirements, solve problems and contribute their own ideas while working with designers, clients and other technical specialists.

Great skills to have as a Digital Developer

A foundation in front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, plus an understanding of back-end development, databases and hosting platforms. The exact mix depends on the role.
The ability to collaborate across teams and departments, work well with others and communicate clearly.
Strong written communication for proposals, technical documentation and project updates, along with the ability to communicate through clear, well-structured code.
Resilience and patience – you’ll be communicating complex things to a range of stakeholders, as well as being called on to solve problems.
A problem-solving mindset and the patience to explore different solutions.
Passion for technology and the future.
The ability to translate client needs into practical technical solutions.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to switch between tasks while keeping priorities clear.

Pathway to becoming a Digital Developer

Digital Developers can build their skills through tertiary study, coding bootcamps, shorter courses or self-directed learning. Useful areas include computer science, information technology, software development and web development. Knowledge of security, web design and user experience can also be valuable.

Build a portfolio or GitHub profile that shows websites, apps or code you have worked on. These can come from study, personal projects, open-source contributions or freelance work. Explain the problem you were solving, what you contributed and the technologies you used.

Look for internships, graduate positions and entry-level technology roles. For current tertiary students and recent graduates, Summer of Tech provides access to paid internships and graduate opportunities.

You can also apply directly to agencies, digital studios and technology companies. Tailor your CV and cover letter to the role, include links to your portfolio or GitHub profile, and consider introducing yourself to people in technical teams or hiring roles.

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Career progression

Technology roles do not have fixed time periods between levels of seniority. Because technology keeps evolving, ongoing learning is an important part of the job. Progress depends on your technical skills, problem-solving, collaboration and the opportunities available. These skills are also transferable beyond advertising.

 

Career paths vary. Someone might begin as a Junior Front-end Developer, progress into Front-end or Full-stack Development, and later become a Tech Lead or Head of Technology. Others specialise in back-end development, databases, systems or cloud technology.

 

Front-end Developers build the parts of websites and apps that people see and use. Back-end Developers work with servers, databases and the systems behind them. Full-stack Developers work across both.