Developing apps is exciting, which is why freshers are flocking to it: Experts.
At a time when mobile apps seem to dominate technology landscape, more and more engineering graduates seem to prefer joining app companies rather than traditional IT services company.
Experts say that till about three years ago, 90% engineering graduates preferred to join the well-established IT companies, with the rest either starting something on their own or going ahead with higher education.
Today, the equation has changed. Almost 20-25% graduates from engineering colleges are chucking the safe domain of IT services and getting into the world of apps.
“Developing apps is the next big thing in the technology space. It gives a person creative satisfaction, and, at the same time, gives them an opportunity to develop something entertaining,” says Kiran Datar, vice-president, Moxtra.
Though most of the apps developed are in the gaming space, areas like instant messaging, social networking, video streaming, utility, sports, news, e-commerce and classifieds etc are also gaining in popularity.
“As of now the trend is to develop apps for consumers. The next revolution will be developing apps for companies,” says Datar.
In 2013, about 23% of total engineering graduates got into app development. The number was 20% in 2012 and 15% in 2011, says Yogesh Saigal, an independent recruitment consultant.
“There is a gradual increase. Unless one joins a product company, IT services companies have little to offer in terms of variety and challenge. Hence, youngsters now prefer to develop apps, which is exciting,” he says.
A study by the National Association for Software and Services Companies found that mobile app development was among the top five skills in demand in IT companies.
According to experts in the industry, more and more companies are outsourcing the work to develop apps for them. “From banks to retail outlets, every industry would want some kind of app being developed to keep the consumers engaged. Also, with more and more consumers accessing internet through mobile, it is but natural that companies will look forward to developing apps,” says Anand Kataria, a trend watcher in the apps space. Like software engineers, the app developers are in huge demand.
“The market has already tilted in favour of app developers. Like software engineers, demand for app developers is high,” says Kataria.
“With the increase in smartphone penetration, we will be witnessing a much more robust app market. Mobile engagement is on the rise and more and more brands are taking the mobile route to reach out to their consumers. All of this has certainly led to an increased demand for app developers. I’m not sure on the exact data, but given the increased activity in the entire ecosystem—brands, publishers, consumers, telcos, ad networks—the numbers of youngsters taking up this profession is definitely on the rise,” says Gaurav Thakur, director, mobile products & revenue, ESPN Digital Media.
App trivia
Average starting salary of app developers: `25,000 to `30,000
If working on a niche area, the salary can go up to `85,000
Smartphone sales in the country has more than doubled in 2012 to reach 2.2 crore units, according to Convergence Catalyst, a telecommunications market researcher .
Till recently, many application developers were self-taught. But, the demand for skilled professionals by large companies have given rise to the need for formal training
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