"software developer," as a label, doesn't signal that kind of credentialing (although something like advanced degree might) A degree from a well-known school a

"software developer," as a label, doesn't signal that kind of credentialing (although something like advanced degree might) A degree from a well-known school and a few years at one or more prestigious companies is an equivalent. Let's imagine a hypothetical developer who graduated from MIT then spent 3 years at Google. He or she would be as "credentialled" in the sense of the piece of paper opening doors as someone who'd gone the law school route and passed the Bar. That person will pass every resume-screen and get invited to an interview for the rest of their careers with just those two names listed.