What Is a Weekend Programmer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a weekend programmer, you work part-time on Saturday-Sunday to complete computer programming responsibilities. Your duties may require you to develop software programs, code program designs into a language a computer understands, test systems to ensure they are working correctly, and install computer updates. You may communicate with software developers as well as the client to ensure efficient translation and development of the program. Some programs may be developed in a couple of days, while other jobs may require multiple weekends to complete. The programs you create may be used for phone applications, operating systems, or websites. A weekend programmer may work for a company or provide freelance services.

To get a weekend job as a programmer, you can pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Employers tend to prefer candidates who specialize in multiple programming languages and have experience working on similar projects. To maintain a competitive edge, you may also continue your education with professional development seminars and online boot camps that keep you updated on current technology trends and updates. Additional qualifications may include vendor-specific certifications for programming products. Strong analytical thinking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot issues are also important.