At university, the software and web development courses are clearly distinct. In the Software Development course we mainly did programming languages such as C# and Java using Windows Forms. Very little focus has been given to front-end technologies, or the steps involved in getting a site on-line and usable. The reason for this split is mainly because the amount of content is just too much to fit into a 3 year diploma. In reality, as a software developer walking into industry, in most cases you will be required to have knowledge of both software and web technologies. This includes languages like C# and Java, but also other front end frameworks like CSS, HTML and JavaScript. If you think about it, an on-line content management software solution does not only have fancy functionality in the back-end, it also needs to look appealing to the user that is going to use it and contain front-end features that improves the user-friendliness of the interface. Of course, if you are comfortable specializing in only one language or one area of development, that is fine too.

So my advice to anyone wanting to, or have already completed a course in either software of web development is to look at the bigger picture of what will be required of you when you start a job. Look at the job descriptions for both software and web developers and compare them. Decide what you want to specialize in and where you see yourself going in the future. Get familiar with these technologies and when and how they are used. You will surely reap the benefits! Don't just apply for any job that is available. If you are fortunate enough to get a few interviews, consider what technologies they use, and decide if it is something you would be interested in learning. You might just receive bonus points from the interviewer if they see you show interest in the job and want to find out more about what they are doing, and not just accepting the job to pay the bills. Each job that you undertake is going to shape you into the type of developer you will become and type of jobs that you will be able to apply for in future with a salary increase.