[Non-Computer Science Graduate, Surviving as a Developer] 4. Where Can Developers Get Jobs?

Surviving as a Non-Computer Science Major Developer

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
#4. Where Can Developers Find Jobs?

First, let's look at the types of companies where developers can find employment.

SI Companies (System Integration)
These companies build IT systems based on client requests. They understand client needs, provide optimal solutions, maintain service stability and security, and handle maintenance and upgrades. They are the most common type of company, and the difficulty of getting a job here is relatively easy. However, they often involve contract work (on-site at the client's location).

Many companies operate within a subcontracting structure, led by the top three SI companies (Samsung SDS, LG CNS, and SK C&C).
Except for large corporations, very few companies conduct coding tests. Since there are many SI companies, you can relatively easily get a job with a portfolio of Spring + Mybatis after completing a training course.

Solution Companies
These companies engage in B2B (business-to-business) operations, selling their own solutions (groupware, unified email systems, ERP, etc.) to other companies. Unlike SI companies, which handle various projects, solution companies primarily focus on selling solutions. This allows developers to gain experience within a well-structured solution environment. They mostly add or modify (customize) features requested by customers to their core solutions, which may involve some contract work.

Service Companies
These are mainly companies referred to as 'NECAKUBAE' (Naver, Kakao, Coupang, BaeMin). They provide B2C (business-to-customer) services through their own services. This category includes startups and unicorns, with the latter offering high salaries but facing high competition for jobs. Since these companies primarily maintain existing systems, their work often involves maintenance rather than new development. These services are external, not internal, allowing developers to gain experience in handling large traffic volumes.

Most service companies have distinct Backend and Frontend roles, so you need to prepare accordingly based on your desired position. They often conduct coding tests, and many people recommend studying up to Level 2 on programmers. The larger the service and the company, the more challenging it is to get a job. Smaller startups (Series A and below) may have lower entry barriers, but they might lack mentors or have less structured systems, which is something to consider.