How To Become a Software Engineer: What To Know
We depend on software and computer technology every day as we work, go to school, shop and chat with friends. When users open a mobile or desktop app, they expect it to load quickly and work as advertised. Online shoppers expect that their orders won’t get lost. And business owners rely on safe and effective software to keep their operations running smoothly.
Software engineers ensure these programs and applications remain secure and user-friendly. Different types of software engineers focus on mobile, web and desktop apps, software architecture and game development.
What Is a Software Engineer?
Software engineers fulfill an essential role on software design and development teams. They incorporate engineering principles and methodology to develop applications, websites, programs and operating systems.
Software engineers write code, implement new features, identify and fix bugs, test solutions, and optimize product performance. They also create documentation, troubleshoot and upgrade systems, and comply with quality and security standards. Software engineers often collaborate with product researchers, user experience designers, quality assurance testers and project managers.
While software engineers’ specific responsibilities vary according to their jobs, they typically need skills such as scripting and programming, mobile application development, web development, quality assurance testing and user experience design. However, they often specialize in one of those areas.
How To Become a Software Engineer
You can become a software engineer without a degree, but you must have specialized training and relevant work experience. Below, we explore common paths to landing a software engineering job.
Earn a Degree
Education requirements for software engineer jobs vary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers commonly prefer a bachelor’s degree in software engineering , computer and information technology, mathematics, engineering or a related discipline. Advanced or leadership roles may require a master’s degree.
As a software engineer, you must understand coding, application development, database management, cybersecurity principles, testing, usability and related concepts. An in-person or online software engineering degree can help you develop those skills, but you can also take other avenues.
If you want to get into the workforce quickly, consider completing a certification program or coding bootcamp that aligns with your career goals. However, some certifications still require a degree. We’ll discuss these options in detail later.
You can also obtain an undergraduate- or graduate-level certificate. These programs cover coding, software design and engineering principles. Earning a software engineering certificate typically takes a few months to one and a half years, but this time frame depends on program requirements.
Gain Experience
Gaining relevant work experience is essential to launching your software engineer career. Even though these jobs are often lenient regarding formal education, employers still expect you to perform to industry standards. Build a strong coding portfolio by completing real-world projects on your own, in an internship, or through a bootcamp or certificate program. Expect to learn more on the job, too.
Software Engineer Bootcamps
If you want to enter the job market quickly, consider completing a software engineering bootcamp. Specialized bootcamps allow you to learn valuable skills in a short period. They typically take a few weeks to a year to complete, but bootcamps vary significantly in cost , duration and scope.
For example, you might enroll in a bootcamp to help you develop your coding capabilities; learn web development; or master common programming languages , tools and processes.
Certifications for Software Engineers
Software engineers can pursue many different certifications. These typically require passing an examination to demonstrate knowledge and skills in a focused area.
Some certifications focus on specific industries or software vendors, such as the Google Professional Cloud Developer and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer distinctions. Others can vouch for a professional’s skills on a general level.
Look for a certification that aligns with the type of position you want. Below, we discuss a few popular certification options.
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Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)?
The CSSLP examination covers eight domains, including secure software concepts, requirements, implementation and testing. You must have at least four years of related work experience, but you may substitute one year with a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree.
You must complete a training course before you can take the exam. Online self-paced training costs $920, plus an exam fee of $599. For pricing information for instructor-led and classroom training, contact ISC2.
Professional Software Developer Certification
The Professional Software Developer credential, offered by the IEEE Computer Society, validates your knowledge of software requirements, design, construction and testing. To be eligible, you need at least two years of college coursework in a related field and two years of industry experience.
This online examination takes three hours and includes 160 questions. The exam costs $390 for members and $485 for nonmembers. Applicants can bundle the test with prep courses for $595 or $775, depending on membership. Students get a discounted rate of $345. Applicants must complete the coursework or exam within one year.
Certified Software Engineer (CSE)
The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) administers the CSE exam, which covers computer system engineering, project planning, design, programming languages and coding, quality assurance, testing, and maintenance and configuration management.
ICCP offers certification at five levels, from entry-level to executive. The foundational or “assistant” certification requires applicants to pass two 60-minute exams and adhere to the ICCP Code of Ethics. At the second level, called “practitioner,” you must have at least two years of related work experience and pass three 90-minute exams.
Different CSE exam bundles include an exam retake, study materials or an instructor-led course. These cost about $590 to $1,180.
Software Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides salary and job outlook data for many careers. While the BLS doesn’t publish specific data on software engineers, it includes these workers in the category of software developers , quality assurance analysts and testers. According to the BLS, software developers earned a median annual salary of $132,270 as of May 2023.
The job outlook for these positions is excellent, with employment expected to increase by 26% from 2022 to 2032. This high demand is due to a few factors, such as ongoing computer security threats and the continued development of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
Types of Software Engineers
While software engineers need a broad understanding of different programming languages and platforms, they often specialize in particular career paths. Below, we list some common types of software engineers.
Professional Organizations for Software Engineers
Professional organizations typically offer membership benefits that contribute to your career growth and development. Consider the following popular national professional organizations for software engineers, but don’t overlook your local community as well. Often organized through social networking sites like Meetup, local groups dedicated to specific frameworks, programming languages or career specializations can offer smaller but more targeted learning and networking opportunities.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
ACM offers a variety of benefits for computer technology professionals. These benefits include networking opportunities, a career center, a digital library, a speakers program, and discounts on products and services. The organization also offers access to thousands of books, publications, courses and training videos.
Association for Women in Computing (AWC)
AWC serves women across computing professions. Member benefits include a mentorship program, leadership opportunities, local and national activities, continuing education, networking and professional development.
IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS)
IEEE is a global community of computer professionals. Members can access a digital library, author services, career resources, networking opportunities, scholarships, educational opportunities, a career center, salary information, local activities and conferences.