How to Become a Software Engineer - Complete Guide

Anyone interested in software engineering knows that it encompasses a wide range of different jobs and duties. Before you embark on a new career path, you should educate yourself about the industry, possible positions, and responsibilities. More importantly, you need to understand the steps you need to take to achieve your career goals.

Jobs in software engineering require some level of education and experience. You will also need to have certain hard and soft skills under your belt. Read on to learn the ins and outs of how to become a software engineer.

What is a Software Engineer?

Software engineers are also referred to as software developers. They create programs that run various websites, applications, and computers. Generally speaking, software engineers make people’s lives easier by making technology easier to access and use.

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

The day-to-day tasks of a software engineer may vary, depending on what industry you are working in. For example, a systems developer builds computer systems and networks. An application developer, on the other hand, spends their day improving iOS and Android apps that are client-facing. Certain software engineer jobs may require more innovation while others require more maintenance.

Some of the most common tasks associated with the job title include:

● Designing and maintaining software systems for the company

● Testing new systems and evaluating their efficiency

● Optimizing the software used by the business for speed

● Improve software to make it easy to scale

● Writing code and testing it

● Communicating with various people about software systems

● Presenting new software features to stakeholders and other individuals

How Much do Software Engineers Make?

You can expect to make a good salary working as a software engineer. In 2020, the median salary for someone who holds the title of “software engineer” sat around $110,140. Positions in software development paid the most within the profession. The job also comes with a number of other perks as well.

Many software engineering jobs can be worked remotely or from home. You can also find yourself working in nearly any industry. Every business in existence needs some kind of software engineer on its team. Whether they need website maintenance or help with app development, the job is in high demand. So, how do you move forward with pursuing a career as an engineer?

How to Become a Software Engineer

Now that you know a little about the job title, you may be wondering how to move forward with becoming a software engineer. You will need to come up with a plan for your career path. This means pinpointing a specific specialty you would like to focus your career on.

For instance, some engineers choose to spend their careers in web development. Others might want to develop internal systems for businesses. After you decide what pathway you’d like to pursue you can look into educational programs.

Educational Requirement

Typically, a degree in computer science is preferred for jobs in software engineering. The requirements will vary from job to job. In some cases, pursuing other means of education can be more economical than going to a four-year school.

There are technically three different pathways to get a job in software engineering. You can go to college and get a degree in computer science or related fields. Some people choose to go through coding boot camps or pursue self-directed learning opportunities.

Programming Certifications

Many programming certifications are obtained through coding boot camps. These “boot camps” teach students a set of job-ready programming skills. Most certification programs focus on web development rather than software engineering. With some searching though, you can find a program to meet your needs.

You don’t necessarily need to enter a traditional course either. Self-directed learning is common in the software engineering field. Many people in the career pursue their own methods of education to learn the latest programming language and industry knowledge.

Self-Directed Learning Opportunities

One great thing about pursuing a career as a software engineer is that there are always opportunities to continue learning. In fact, there are plenty of self-directed learning platforms that offer classes on new and emerging technologies. You can also brush up on some of your skills through these courses. Some of the more popular self-learning sites include Khan Academy, Codecademy, and Udemy.

What Skills do Software Engineers Need?

Now that you know a little bit about the preliminary requirements for pursuing a career as a software engineer, there are a number of hard and soft skills that will lend you a helping hand too. You will need to communicate well and be self-motivated, among other things. Below are some of the skills that will help you land software engineering jobs and careers.

Hard Skills

When you think about the software engineering skillset, most people think of the hard skills needed to do the job. These include technical skills, coding, knowledge of certain programs and platforms, and more. Depending on the job and industry, the specific hard skills you need to have will vary. The following two hard skills have become the most in-demand for people seeking out work as software engineers.

Knowledge of Coding Languages

You must have knowledge of various coding languages to be a software engineer. Many jobs will specify which coding language they prefer in the listing, but you should know more than one of the main programming languages. These include Python, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Go as well as HTML and CSS for the frontend.

Cloud Development Experience

Due to the rise of remote workspaces, everything is on the “cloud” these days. So, it has become crucial for engineers to have some kind of cloud development experience. Cloud development skills are going to increase in demand in the coming years. Taking the time to learn about it will help you pursue a long-term software engineering career.

Soft Skills

Soft skills aren’t technical but are often harder to teach. These skills transfer from job to job and can be an important part of your overall career success. In software engineering, this includes attributes like flexibility and adaptability. You also need to be able to accept feedback and make changes. The following two soft skills are also key.

Time Management

Time management is important in most jobs, but as a software engineer, it can be critical. Oftentimes, you will be working on a deadline to launch a website, app, or product. Your coworkers may even be waiting on you to develop a program to continue their work. Being able to manage your time wisely is a soft skill every engineer needs to have.

Critical Thinking

Anyone interested in pursuing a career in software engineering should also have good critical thinking skills. Critical thinkers will be able to address problems and come up with solutions in a timely manner. For a long-term career in software engineering, critical thinking skills are a must.

How to Get a Software Engineering Job

As mentioned above, education and experience are a huge part of getting your foot in the door in the software engineering world. However, to get a software engineering job, you need to do a little legwork.

Network

Networking is extremely important in the tech industry. A lot of the time software engineering jobs or tech positions stem from referrals from someone else in the industry. They will mention work of yours or a project you have worked on. For example, a networking connection might see an application you built and share it with their employer when they are looking to develop a similar system.

Build a Portfolio

In addition to making network connections, you should consider putting some time into creating a portfolio. Share your work on your social media channels, including LinkedIn. This can help you build an online portfolio of sorts. You might even want to create a website that displays some of your biggest, most successful projects. Building a portfolio will help employers discover you based on your specialties.

Partner with an Engineering Staffing Agency

Working with an engineering staffing agency in Dallas, can also be a great way to find software engineering jobs. Oftentimes, companies work with agencies to find key team members like software engineers because their skill set is so specialized. So, you will get access to more jobs that are a good fit for you.

The recruiters can help you identify jobs in your area or remote positions, depending on your preferences. For example, if you are looking for software engineer jobs in Dallas that allow some remote work opportunities, they can identify jobs that match your specifications. They will also guide you through every step of the job search and placement process to ensure success in your new position.

Find a Job as a Software Engineer with RPC Staffing Today

That being said, finding a staffing agency that specializes in placing software engineers like RPC Staffing can help you discover job opportunities faster. Our team of professional job recruiters will get to know you, your work history, and your career goals. Then we will assist you in finding available positions that meet your needs. Let us help you find software engineering jobs in your area.