Pros and Cons of a Career as a Macromedia Developer
Working as a Macromedia developer can involve creativity and innovation, as you collaborate with others to bring a web site into reality. Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of becoming a Macromedia developer and decide if it's the right career for you.
| Pros of Becoming a Macromedia Developer |
|---|
| Fast job growth (predicted 20% for all web developers from 2012-2022)* |
| High pay (median salary of $63,000 for web developers, as of 2014)* |
| Minimal educational requirements (a high school diploma is often sufficient to enter the field)* |
| Work found in a variety of industries (computing, manufacturing, telecommunications, finance and transportation, to name a few)* |
| Cons of Becoming a Macromedia Developer |
|---|
| High degree of patience and attention to detail required when coding* |
| Possibility of job outsourcing* |
| Some tasks can be extremely repetitive** |
| Continual learning and training are required, because technology rapidly evolves** |
Sources: *The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **O*NET Online.
Essential Career Information
Job Description
Macromedia developers are web developers who specialize in Macromedia software applications. They design websites and are responsible for the look of a company's webpage, as well as its technical attributes. After meeting with coworkers or outside clients to discuss what's needed, you'll create pieces of the website using your knowledge of Macromedia programs. You might create application content and address technical issues, such as the website's performance. You'll also write code and collaborate with other workers to determine details, such as the layout and specific website content. Once the website is completed and debugged, you'll monitor it for any problems and keep an eye on website traffic. Depending on your position, you might focus on overall website construction (with a job title such as web architect), website design or website functioning and maintenance.
As a Macromedia developer, you'll work with specific programs created by the former Macromedia software company. Though Adobe acquired Macromedia in 2005, many products originally created by Macromedia are still known familiarly as Macromedia or Adobe/Macromedia products. Examples of commonly used Macromedia products include Flash, Dreamweaver, Studio and Fireworks. Though you may work a fair amount with these and other Macromedia products, you'll likely need to be proficient in a variety of other computer programs as well.
Salary Info and Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web developers earned a median salary of around $63,000 per year in May 2014. The highest-paying industries offered average wages that exceeded $89,000 per year, and the highest levels of employment were found in computer systems design and related services.
Employment of web developers was expected to grow 20% from 2012-2022, which is faster than average for all jobs, according to BLS statistics. Demand for web developers should be especially strong in the ecommerce industry, as stores continue to expand their online presence.
What Are the Requirements?
Educational requirements vary by position; it's possible to work as a web developer with only a high school diploma, though some employers might require an associate's or bachelor's degree. Degrees in computer science or programming are particularly relevant to web developer work, especially for positions that require technical programming experience. Courses in graphic design can prepare web developers for working on a website's layout and aesthetics. Regardless of the educational requirements sought, according to the BLS, employers require that web developers be knowledgeable in HTML and often seek professionals who understand multiple programming languages. In general, successful web developers also have the following skills:
- Ability to concentrate for long periods of time
- Creativity and innovation
- Teamwork skills
- Highly detail-oriented and patient
Job Postings from Real Employers
Many employers look for web developers with multiple years of experience, knowledge of certain Macromedia products and proficiency in several computer programming languages. Some also seek a candidate with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Although it can't provide a complete picture of the job market, the following job posts listed on Careerbuilder.com in April 2012 can provide a snapshot of the skills employers seek:
- An IT services company in Pennsylvania advertised for a web developer to review and maintain website content, as well as develop three new sites. Over five years of web development work and experience with Adobe/Macromedia Dreamweaver was required.
- A St. Louis credit reporting agency looked for a web/media developer to create and support websites, as well as develop project timelines. A bachelor's degree and at least one year of experience was requested, and candidates should be familiar with Macromedia Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Flash, in addition to other specific programs and programming languages.
- A corporate sales department in Chicago sought a web/front-end developer with at least 3 years of experience. The position calls for hand coding and working on a variety of client-facing projects. Candidates should be proficient in several web programming languages, including XHTML, CSS and XML. They should also be familiar with Macromedia HomeSite, Fireworks and Dreamweaver.
- A California electronics firm searched for a web application developer to work in their marketing department and develop web-based applications. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience with Adobe/Macromedia products and a bachelor's degree in either computer science or electrical engineering.
How to Beat the Competition
As indicated by the BLS and job postings, your job prospects as a web developer should be especially good if you can work with many types of programming languages and multimedia programs. To prepare for a career as a Macromedia developer, high school students can take courses in computer science, programming, web design and graphic arts. Spending free time learning various programming languages can also be beneficial. It's also important to stay as up-to-date as you can with any developments in Adobe/Macromedia technology.
Get Certified
Adobe offers a range of certifications that can demonstrate to employers that you're well versed in the technology. For example, if you use a specific set of Adobe multimedia products, it's possible to become an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) with a focus on web development. You can also earn certification in individual Adobe products, such as Flash or Dreamweaver. Certification involves taking either one or a series of exams, and re-certification is possible.
Other Fields to Consider
If web development seems too technical and tedious and you're more interested in the visual aspects of web design, consider a career as a graphic designer. Similar to web developers, graphic designers typically work with clients to determine their vision. However, the primary focus of their job is to create and communicate ideas through visual imagery created either by hand or using computers. The BLS predicted 13% job growth from 2010-2020, which is about as fast as average. However, graphic designers earned a median salary of about $44,000 in May 2011, which is significantly less than the median salary of Macromedia developers.
Individuals who are more interested in the technical aspects of web development could consider careers as software developers. These professionals are responsible for analyzing the needs of a company and its software users and creating software to meet those needs. As a software developer, you also might recommend upgrades and adjustments to the current software system, and you could be in charge of maintaining applications and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. As of 2011, software application developers earned a median salary of $89,000 per year, and software systems developers made a median salary of $97,000 per year, as evidenced by BLS statistics. Job growth for all software developers was predicted to be 30% from 2010-2020.
