Over the next eight years, the United States will add more than a quarter-million new software developer roles, according to a new report released by Glassdoor. That job increase through 2026 should come as good news to anyone considering a technology career in Tampa.

But don’t just take our word for it. Suncoast Developers Guild recently spoke with Daniel James Scott, the Executive Director of Tampa Bay Tech, one of the nation’s largest technology councils, representing more than 57,000 technology workers. Here he shares a few of the reasons why it’s an exciting time to be a web developer in Florida.

From Daniel James Scott:

I love being here for several reasons, but my favorites are that Tampa Bay is:

1. One of the most diverse and inclusive tech hubs in the country from both an individual, talent and industry perspective.
2. One of the most active tech hubs in the country, with, on average, three or more tech events happening every weekday.

And, more specifically, here is why you are going to love being here in your career: The build-side are the youngest and most racially diverse tech workers in Tampa Bay.

1. You represent just under a third of all current Tampa Bay Tech jobs; however, account for 45% of our job growth over the next decade, meaning you’ll soon represent more than a third of all future Tampa Bay Tech jobs.
2. Over that same decade, we’ll need to fill almost 17,000 build-side positions. Nothing but career upside.

And, even more specifically, ~10% of today’s build-side jobs are here in the city of St. Petersburg. And, the way things are going, this is going to be the place to be... in no small part because of your team here at SDG, who are building deep community roots and giving you a generous peer, alumni and partner network.

But they’ve given you something even more important... the skills to succeed.

I went back and analyzed the 1,683 build-side job postings from across Tampa Bay over the last 30 days. Of course, they all wanted your technical skillset. Yet what was more interesting was the top ten requested soft skills. I’m going to share these with you and... seriously... tell me that this team hasn’t given you the opportunity to not only develop these, but be able to communicate your skill in each as well:

1. Communication
2. Cooperative/Team Player
3. Self-Motivated/Ability to Work Independently/Self Leadership
4. Problem Solving
5. Analytical
6. Project Management
7. Adaptability/Flexibility/Tolerance of Change and Uncertainty
8. Ability to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment
9. Detail Oriented/Meticulous
10. Accountable/Responsible/Reliable/Dependable/Trustworthy

Employers, for all of those reasons, you need to invest in this program. Now is the time.

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