Software developer says sector is not just for 'nerds'

• Published date: 12 November 2020
• Author: Tiffany Taylor - STAR Writer
• Date: 12 November 2020
• Publication title: Jamaica Star, The (Kingston, Jamaica)

Though he wasn't sure at the time what his profession would be, he would have never guessed that 22 years later he would be a software developer.

He is keen on distinguishing himself from the perception that persons in the field are "nerds that sit around the computer all day with big glasses, clacking at the keyboard coming up with codes."

Instead, he boasts that being a software developer is being a problem solver; one who is called on to propose tools and systems that will improve a company's systematic issues.

Smith, 33, started his career in 2010, having completed his degree in computer and information technology at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

However, he found his niche as a game developer in 2016 after getting the idea to create the mobile application, ABC Fast or Slow, which he launched this January. It is based on the popular game usually played with pencil and paper.

"Even though I'm a software developer, I really separated myself from what others were doing when I came up with that idea. It's about showing persons what you can do as a developer, and gaming systems are not really an area where traditional developers go into," he said.

He said that there is now a need for software developers based on the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competition in the market

"Everybody's movement is limited and more persons are working from home. Companies now have to adjust their way of operating by implementing software solutions. Software...