Continuing with our series of expert interviews with a variety of professionals working in Scotland, this week we’re talking to Liam Douglas, a software engineer at Kotikan. We asked Liam about his background in the IT sector, as well as taking a closer look at his day-today experience in designing apps for mobile…
Name: Liam Douglas
Occupation: Software Engineer
Company: Kotikan
Location: Edinburgh
What are the main computer programming languages all good software developers/engineers should know?
There is no definitive language that anyone should know. However, I’d say a good understanding of a low-level language like C and any Object Oriented language such as Java gives a good base of knowledge.
Are there any aspects of software development or IT that would particularly help a candidate to stand out when they apply for a job in this field?
When it comes to developing native mobile apps, knowledge of Java and Objective C are key. To help stand out, a profile of personal projects or contributing to an open source project are always a plus on any CV.
How essential is experience (versus qualifications) in the field?
Experience is extremely important; I learned more in my first year at Kotikan than throughout my entire time at university! Good qualifications are important as well though, as they will help you get your foot in the door in order to gain the experience needed in the IT industry.
Describe what you have to consider when designing and building an app
At Kotikan, we are completely focused on making amazing user experiences that provide real value. To do this, we work closely with our clients to determine what they want to achieve from the app. Once we’ve done this, our design and development teams create a series of mock up designs that are used to show the client what we aim to deliver, as well as aiding engineers and testers throughout development of the app.
Development takes place over two week periods or ‘sprints’, during which we set out features we will implement during this time. At the end of week two, we have a client review to demonstrate what has been implemented and receive any feedback or changes that they would like made to the app. We repeat these two week sprints until we have implemented all the features that the client requires and then submit the app to the relevant stores.
As well as in-depth understanding of programming languages and operating systems, what other key skills/attributes does a software developer need to have?
One of the most important attributes is being able to work efficiently in a team. At Kotikan we are always working together closely, whether that be developers and testers pairing up to solve issues, or developers and designers working together to come up with great user experiences.
Are there any other employment backgrounds that can contribute to success as a software developer?
A background in maths or physics generally contributes well to a career in software development.
Have you noticed any current or emerging trends that job hunters should be aware of, if they’re applying for software development work?
There’s a definite trend towards applicants showcasing projects which they’ve worked on in their spare time, rather than solely at university or in previous employment. For example, we get candidates who have developed and released their own apps, proving that they have a genuine enthusiasm and passion for the work, which goes a long way in the recruitment process.
Always be enthusiastic and remember that Stack Overflow is your friend.
Do you work in a similar company to Liam or have you had experience in trying to break into software development? Share your own experiences or advice in the comments below…
Image provided by Liam Douglas.