With the creation of mobile technology, the conversion toward iOS app development is an enticing pathway for professionals from different fields. Learning iOS development presents vast opportunities across tech, creative and freelance sectors for established companies and startups alike. For beginners engaged with coding and app development, knowing the basics, where to dive in and laying the possible pathways into career opportunities may ease this journey and also make it more rewarding.
Why Consider iOS Development?
The Apple ecosystem is often viewed as robust, with iOS consistently gaining a substantial percentage share of the mobile app market, particularly in areas like North America and Europe. There is an increasing demand for skilled iOS developers among different sectors, as companies are intent on ensuring seamless and friendly experiences for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users.
Here’s why iOS development may be a very attractive option for anyone looking for a job change:
High Demand: Most enterprises need developers in a position to perform roles beyond simply coding, including UX design and problem-solving.
Potential for Growth: iOS application development has a broad spectrum of specialisation options in mobile security, gaming and corporate solutions.
Remote Work Opportunities: With app development being a flexible job type, this brings more possibilities for remote working or freelancing.
Key Learning Paths for Career Changers
Switching to iOS development means acquiring new technical skills. If you are a novice programmer, there are still reachable paths of learning.
Follow OEM specifications:
Learn Swift Programming Language: Swift is the underlying programming language behind Apple’s iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS applications. It is relatively easy to learn; however, it is at least easy to read and write. Platforms like Swift Playgrounds or Apple-Curated courses through its “Everyone Can Code” curriculum offer a great starting point for learning.
Get Comfortable with Xcode and Basic iOS Development: Xcode is the integrated development environment (IDE) supplied by Apple to develop iOS apps. Gaining familiarity with Xcode and how its debugging and interface tools function is a requisite to contributing effectively to the development process. Learning tools from Apple Developer Documentation, YouTube tutorials or coding boot camps offer a structured scaffold.
Work on Projects and Build Portfolio: Making simple apps is a great way to apply what you’ve learned into a specific portfolio that certifies your abilities. You should start with a simple app, such as a calculator or a to-do list, before moving on to more complex projects. You can publish your code on GitHub for stylistic feedback.
Study User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design: UI and UX are quite important in iOS development. As Apple users expect an intuitive and polished experience, an understanding of the design principles for iOS helps you create an easily usable interface. Apple Human Interface Guidelines are great for illuminating the design of apps with respect to Apple’s design philosophy.
Understand App Store Submissions and Monetisation: Become acquainted with the Store’s guidelines and procedures for submitting apps. This includes but is not limited to testing the app, verification of compliance with Apple’s guidelines and monetisation methods, such as in-app purchases versus ad placements.
Certifications and Courses
Certifications and courses are great compensating apparatuses for career transitioners:
Apple App Development with Swift Certification: This certification is generally recognised for basic skills in Swift and iOS development. Pupils can take courses related to it from LSET.
Online Bootcamps: Ranging from LSET to Coursera, these platforms offer online courses covering iOS development, including coding, UI/UX and project-building.
University Courses: Universally, universities also offer online courses for mobile development, covering aspects of both Android and iOS.
Career Opportunities in iOS Development
Several career options open for iOS development if you have the right skills and projects to show off your expertise:
iOS Developer: iOS developers write applications for a delightful mixer of code, creativity and fun. They develop, design, and employ application functions after user testing, from programming to testing to bastardising it in between.
Mobile UX/UI Designer: Many developers have developed a soft corner for the design part of mobile applications. Designer roles focus on user interface design and improving user experience when you have experience with UI/UX.
Freelance Developer: Freelancing provides flexibility by allowing you to undertake projects from different clients. It can be one of the best paths for career changers who are looking for work-life balance or want to take a break into diverse industries.
iOS Apps Technical Support Engineer: Technical support engineers troubleshoot iOS apps and they are preferred in this job by individuals who may have a customer or technical service background.
App Tester/Quality Assurance: App testing and quality assurance, because of their knowledge of programming, allow you to work for the functionality, usability and compatibility of an app in line with iOS standards.
Product Manager: Experienced in business with acumen, the shift to a product manager within an iOS development panel gives an opportunity to oversee the entire lifecycle of an app, from conception to release.
Conclusion
iOS development thus becomes a great option for career changers. Armed with a step-by-step approach, the commitment to learn and hands-on experience through projects, a person from any profession could enter this field.The London School of Emerging Technology brings you an iOS App Development course with basics to an advanced level where you can learn the fundamentals of app development to professionals working closely with the LSET internship program.