How Should I Expand My Skills as an Android Developer? Backend, AI/ML, or Cross-Platform?

I’m currently in my second year of b.tech and have been working with Kotlin and Compose for Android development. While I enjoy building apps, I’m thinking about expanding my skill set to improve my job prospects. I see three possible paths: Backend Development – I’ve used Flask for a project where I needed a backend, but I haven’t properly learned any backend framework yet. Since I’m comfortable with Java due to competitive programming, I’m considering Spring Boot. Would learning backend (Spring Boot, Flask, or something else) be a strong addition to my Android skills, or is it not as necessary for mobile devs? AI/ML – I have basic knowledge of AI/ML and have explored some related projects. Since this field is growing, I’m considering diving deeper, but I’m unsure if it’s worth focusing on alongside Android development. Cross-Platform Development – Since native Android jobs seem fewer compared to cross-platform roles (Flutter, React Native), I wonder if learning cross-platform would be a better career move than backend or AI/ML. Which of these three would be the best investment of my time? Or is there a different direction I should consider based on industry trends? Would love to hear from experienced developers! Also, if you think a particular field is worth exploring, I’d really appreciate any guidance on where to start—whether it’s courses, books, or any learning resources you found helpful. I want to make sure I learn things the right way.

Mar 30, 2025 - 14:56

How Should I Expand My Skills as an Android Developer? Backend, AI/ML, or Cross-Platform?

I’m currently in my second year of b.tech and have been working with Kotlin and Compose for Android development. While I enjoy building apps, I’m thinking about expanding my skill set to improve my job prospects. I see three possible paths:

Backend Development – I’ve used Flask for a project where I needed a backend, but I haven’t properly learned any backend framework yet. Since I’m comfortable with Java due to competitive programming, I’m considering Spring Boot. Would learning backend (Spring Boot, Flask, or something else) be a strong addition to my Android skills, or is it not as necessary for mobile devs?

AI/ML – I have basic knowledge of AI/ML and have explored some related projects. Since this field is growing, I’m considering diving deeper, but I’m unsure if it’s worth focusing on alongside Android development.

Cross-Platform Development – Since native Android jobs seem fewer compared to cross-platform roles (Flutter, React Native), I wonder if learning cross-platform would be a better career move than backend or AI/ML.

Which of these three would be the best investment of my time? Or is there a different direction I should consider based on industry trends? Would love to hear from experienced developers!

Also, if you think a particular field is worth exploring, I’d really appreciate any guidance on where to start—whether it’s courses, books, or any learning resources you found helpful. I want to make sure I learn things the right way.