Table of Contents
What is software engineering
A software engineering career is one in which you build and manage a team of professionals that help create and produce software solutions. There are many steps involved in a software engineering process, including designing robust, scalable solutions, optimizing platforms such as websites or cloud applications and troubleshooting errors. Software engineers usually have a solid grounding in computer science and hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in software engineering. Software engineering careers are expected to grow by 20% from 2014 to 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which estimates that there will be nearly 81,000 new jobs for software engineers by the year 2021. An additional 27% of software engineers will change employers during this time period.
Software engineers are responsible for taking the ideas presented to them by a software development team and turning that design into a tangible product. They may be in charge of the product throughout its lifecycle, or they may work with their team to create products on an as-needed basis. Software engineers must be able to understand the nature of their business, as well as technical nuances, in order to effectively produce solutions that meet both internal and external specifications. They must be able to manage the software development process from start to finish, including design, development and implementation.
What are the skills required to be a software engineer
Possess a strong understanding of software development and testing processes that make software engineers primary contributors. Software engineers must have a knowledge of computer science, programming languages and computer programming, which are the technical skills that are required to transform an idea or business concept into an easily understood working solution. A good understanding of data structures and algorithms will help software engineers determine the best way to solve complex problems. Being aware of the ever-changing hardware and software environments is also critical to being a successful software engineer. Appreciation of the fundamentals of engineering design and testing is extremely important to software engineers. In addition, software engineers must be able to communicate effectively with others, including the business team, project managers and end users, which can be time-consuming. It takes strong leadership and communication skills to guide a project through the various phases of development. [1]
A good understanding of the engineering and architectural methods that underpin the creation of software. A solid grasp of architecture design will allow software engineers to make efficient use of available resources, as well as understand how to create robust solutions for clients, users and other stake-holders.
Ability to work with relational databases [2].
Possesses a strong desire to understand the technologies being used, including systems and network security, operating systems [3], system design and application development [4] .
Able to draw clear conclusions based on analytical thinking and critical evaluation of research findings. In addition, software engineers must be able to analyze financial data and determine what changes should be made in order to improve company profitability.
Is software engineering hard
Software engineering, like many computer science-based career paths, requires a high level of technical expertise and the ability to understand and solve complex problems. Software engineers must be able to work independently and within a team environment. Depending on the organization and available technology, software engineers may face significant regulatory oversight with regard to data privacy, security and compliance with industry standards. Employers often require years of experience in software engineering, or related fields such as information technology or computer science.
Those interested in a career as a software engineer should have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related program. Many employers require that their engineers have advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree or even Ph.D. Several universities offer Master of Science degrees in Software Engineering, and additional courses and certifications can increase job prospects.
How can you become a software engineer
Most software engineering employees study computer science as an undergraduate and then advance to a master’s program. A master’s program in software engineering can help prepare students for careers as project leaders or team managers. Many organizations also require professional certifications, often in information security or another key area of interest. Software engineering salaries are expected to grow faster than average through 2024, according to the BLS, which anticipates growth in median annual income of $97,240 by the year 2021. Software engineers also have access to flexible work arrangements that include on-site health insurance and retirement benefits.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career as a software engineer, start by learning more about the basics of the field. For instance, did you know that some of the most prominent computer and hardware companies in the world are software engineers? Microsoft, Apple, and Oracle are just a few examples. Did you know that universities typically have information technology departments or computer science programs? You can also use software engineering salary data to see how much you might be able to earn before nearly every other major decision (like graduate school) is made.
What are the benefits of being a software engineer
Software engineering careers are expected to grow by 20% from 2014 to 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which estimates that there will be nearly 81,000 new jobs for software engineers by the year 2021. An additional 27% of software engineers will change employers during this time period. The average starting salary for software engineers is $70,000 per year.
The jobs that make up this broader classification of software developers are also expected to grow by 21% from 2014 to 2024. More specifically, the BLS predicts that there will be around 78,000 software development jobs in 2021.
“The U.S. employment outlook for software and systems analysts was revised up in September 2016 to reflect the latest trends,” states the BLS on its website (http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/articl38_259z1e4.htm). “Demand for analysts who provide support in application development, data analysis, and other areas of IT remains strong in the coming decade. These occupations will generate about 52,900 new jobs through 2024.”
In fact, jobs for software developers are expected to grow by more than 20% from 2014 to 2024. That said, “IT analyst” is one of the top five fastest-growing fields from 2014 to 2024 based on BLS data, as stated on its website (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-engineers.htm).
