How to Secure a Career in Software Engineering

Landing your first job and starting a career, in general, can be a tedious and intimidating process. However, if you obtain the right qualifications and gain the right experience, you greatly improve your chances of landing a job that suits you and that you are passionate about. If you have always loved the thought of working as a software engineer but are unsure of how to get a software engineering job, the following guide is here to help.

Becoming a software engineer isn’t an easy task, but it can be a rewarding one. Here are a few helpful tips to get you on your way to securing a career in software engineering.

Decide What Area of Software Engineering Interests You

Deciding that you want to become a software engineer is one thing but deciding on what kind of software developer you want to be is another. There are numerous different types of software developers out there, meaning that you need to figure out which sector or type of software interests you the most. Typically, software engineers will become an expert in one or two pieces of software, making them experts in a specific field. You could, for example, become a front-end engineer, a security engineer, or a back-end engineer.

Simply ask yourself: what interests you the most? Once you know the answer to that question, you have a clearer roadmap of your career. If you are starting out within the engineering industry, though, you may want to secure a job that allows you to try out other types of work outside of the sector that you have chosen. By doing this, you are allowing yourself the chance to solidify whether you have chosen an area of software engineering that truly suits you.

Get the Correct Education

Before you apply for jobs or even decide on what area of software engineering interests you, you will need to obtain the correct education. Degrees are needed (usually) when it comes to working as a software engineer, and usually, you will need to obtain a degree in computer science, software engineering or any other related technical subject. Certain companies may even require an applicant to have a masters degree.

Although certain companies will only hire those who have a degree or a degree and masters, there can be other ways to securing a career in software engineering. You can gain on the job experience by shadowing engineers or taking an apprenticeship. You may also wish to attend a technical boot camp so that you gain the information in a shorter but more intensive course.

Obtain a Masters in Computer Science

Depending on your BA degree, you may want to consider obtaining a masters in computer science. A masters in computer science can be worthwhile as it helps you learn and develop your skills even further and provides even more in-depth teachings about computer science that is greatly beneficial for any aspiring software engineer. Furthermore, you can enroll in a masters in software engineering online, which is a specific track within the computer science industry.

There are numerous benefits to taking the time to graduate with a masters degree. These benefits include:

• Greater job choices
• A higher success rate of being hired
• A better salary
• Being more knowledgeable in your field

What’s more, you can balance studying for a masters degree with existing work or family commitments. A masters degree is not only for those who have recently graduated with a BA. No, a masters degree is open to anyone who may want to expand their knowledge. Simply find a reputable university or college that offers an intensive online course that can help you balance your work and life commitments.

Continue to Learn About the Field

You have graduated from university, obtained a masters and may even have secured a job in software engineering… what else is there to do? Well, in the field of software engineering, you will need to continue learning and developing your skills so that you remain knowledgeable and agile within your field. A simple algorithm update or change to the piece of software that you have dedicated your career could turn your career upside down, and if you remain aware of the changes, you can keep an eye on these changes and even be one step ahead or know how to counter such adaptations quickly and without much disruption.

Build on Your Skillset

Typically, software engineers will have some natural skills and characteristics. However, that does not mean that you cannot develop these skills if they do not come naturally to you. Much like any job, even if you are naturally good at something, you will need to continue to develop them so that they do not plateau and make you stagnate within your career.

As an engineer, you will most likely possess the following personality traits:

• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Great communication
• Tech-savvy

Furthermore, software engineers will also need to possess the following skillset:

• Be proficient in IT and databases
• Be great at problem-solving
• Have experience in cloud-based infrastructure

A good and successful software engineer will have a great selection of soft and hard skills so that they can be great at the job technically, but also possess the right skills that allow them to work with a team and collaborate.

There May be a Technical Interview

You may want to prepare for a technical interview to prove that you do, in fact, possess the right knowledge. Much like any interview, practice makes perfect. Some companies may ask you to perfect a coding interview which for some can be a lot of pressure. Make sure that you think out loud so that the interviewer can understand your thought process.

The career of a software engineer can be a profitable and challenging one, but it can also be fun and great for those who love to work within the tech field.