Software is behind almost everything you use each day, from your phone to your favorite apps, so it’s no surprise that building software has become one of the most important careers of our time. Candolfi et al. explain that software development continues to grow as more devices and services rely on it, and this trend is expected to persist for years. The field has matured significantly: early work copied ideas from hardware, then shifted to better planning, design before code, and later to faster, more flexible methods used to build the web and mobile apps you use daily. Today’s hot areas—such as mobile apps, Internet of Things devices in the home, big data, and artificial intelligence—are all powered by software skills.

If you’re in Mexico, there are real opportunities. Programs like PROSOFT encouraged universities to update their courses and connect students with industry, enabling more people to acquire practical skills that companies need. In Baja California, the local tech scene is represented by the IT@BAJA cluster and spaces like the BIT Center, where more than a hundred companies develop software for various applications, including government systems, websites, and call centers—proof that there’s a homegrown market for talent. Companies say they need people for things you can picture in your daily life: apps for small businesses, finance and HR tools, e-commerce, online learning, logistics, and even games.

The career outlook is strong. In the United States, roles like full-stack developer and data scientist have topped “best jobs” lists thanks to high pay and demand—signals that also matter for anyone collaborating with U.S. teams from this side of the border. Industry reports reviewed by Candolfi et al. predict more cloud services, microservices (think apps built from small, easy-to-update pieces), edge computing, and AI in products you’ll use, which means more teams will need people who can build and improve them. This isn’t just for big tech firms; it affects hospitals, schools, shops, and factories as they transition into “Industry 4.0,” where software connects machines, data, and people to work more efficiently.

So what should you focus on? The experts Candolfi et al. gathered point to a balanced toolset: learn to solve real problems with code, understand data, and try areas like AI or mobile—but don’t skip soft skills. Being able to communicate ideas, work with others, and learn fast is what helps you grow when tech changes. If you start now—take a course, join a local project, or build a small app—you’ll be stepping into a field that is set to stay relevant for at least the next two decades.

Reference:
Candolfi Arballo, N., Licea Sandoval, G., Navarro Cota, C., Mejía Medina, D. A., Castañón Puga, M., Velázquez Mejía, V., & Caraveo Mena, C. (2021). Ingeniería de Software. Necesidades y prospectiva de la profesión en Baja California. In C. A. Figueroa Rochín & E. I. Santillán Anguiano (Eds.), Software libre educativo en una cultura digital (1st ed.). Qartuppi, S. de R.L. de C.V. https://doi.org/10.29410/QTP.21.03