How To Become a Software Engineer
What is a Software Engineer? 👨💻
A software engineer works on designing applications or software which allows ordinary people to perform online tasks. Some of these tasks include:
- watching a movie 🎥
- writing a document ✍️
- playing a game on your phone or computer 📱🖥️
Some specialized software developers work on larger systems, focusing on managing various devices on a platform. 😱
What are the Duties of a Software Engineer? 📝
Software engineers are often in charge of:
- Creating code for new applications
- Creating updates for phones and laptops
- Doing maintenance on current systems and correcting errors
- Improving systems that already exist
Software engineers often work in various aspects and industries such as:
- Information technology 💁
- Healthcare ⛪
- Businesses 💼
- Government 🗳️
- Education 🏫
Do you see yourself working in any of those industries with the aforementioned tasks? Keep scrolling, then! You're on the right track. 🚄
How Do You Become a Software Engineer? 📜
To become a software engineer, you should obtain a bachelor’s degree in either software engineering or computer science. Although some software engineers do not major in these fields, having the background will increase your chances of being hired. (In emoji-speak: 🎓 = 📈!)
Software engineers should also have background knowledge in various coding languages, designs, frameworks, and data migrations. This knowledge can come from a major in the field during undergraduate years or from internships or boot camps. 💭
Software engineers are required to get training in different coding languages as part of their job. Some software engineers also choose to get a certification in the field to show their expertise. 💬
Which Colleges Are Good to Attend for Software Engineering? 🥇
Many colleges offer great software engineering programs! Some of the well-renowned schools are listed below. 🌟
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California - Berkeley
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- University of Illinois
- University of Texas at Austin
- Purdue University
- California Institute of Technology
- University of Washington
💡 For a list of more amazing software engineering schools, check out this link! Remember, though, that at the end of the day, you should prioritize FIT when it comes to choosing colleges to apply to.
Internships 🗣
If you are interested in the field and want to get a feel for what it is like to be a software engineer, check out the opportunities below on top of lots and lots more on the Internet! 👀
- Anson L. Clark Scholars Program (comes with a monetary stipend!)
- Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
- Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, recommended to girls interested in software engineering!
Online Courses 🧩
There are a variety of online courses, paid (🤑) and free (🆓) that you can start to take as a high schooler! They are entirely virtual! Check out websites like Udemy, Coursera, and edX for thousands of classes you might be interested in! 😌
Here's a list of a few courses regarding Software Engineering! 📚
Work Conditions 💪
Software engineers work either in offices or in remote areas. Most of their tasks are completed on the computer. They work around 40 hours a week, often in teams, meeting deadlines and fixing issues. 🏢🕰️
Job Outlook ⌚
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% increase in employment for software engineers between the years 2020 and 2030. Overall, this is a great field to be in moving into the future! 🚀
Salary 💸
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the yearly salary for software engineers was $114,336. For a comprehensive list of how various states in the United States pay their software engineers, check out this link! 🤑
❗ Remember: Salary depends on the position, qualifications, experience, and education an individual has received!
Want More Options? 🤔
Are you interested in the field of software engineering but want more options? Don’t worry; we’re here to help!
Below is a list of some jobs which deal with similar aspects of software engineering! 😉
- Software Architect
- Cyber Security Manager
- Video Game Designer
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Sales Engineer
- Project Manager
- Business Analyst
Closing Remarks 👋
If you're very interested in working with varying coding languages, you might consider the field of software engineering! Check out some of the embedded links above for various enrichment opportunities to make the most of! Good luck with your future endeavors! 😊
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