Those who want to become a software engineer will need core skills, perseverance, an impressive portfolio and the right training. Below expounds on what aspiring software engineers should do to achieve their career dreams.
Why Software Engineering is Popular
The broad field of computer science is a dynamic field with endless opportunities for creativity and career advancement. Today, hundreds of millions of people use web, desktop, social media and smart phone apps. As a result, software engineering is no longer limited to traditional PC programs. Careers in software engineering give people opportunities to problem-solve real-world issues and create beneficial programs that make peoples’ lives easier and more enjoyable. The employment demand for this field is expected to continue growing because of rapid industry growth and continually evolving technologies. Those who know programming and software engineering can become webmasters, game developers and freelance consultants.
Study Smart During High School
The beauty of computer programming is that anyone can learn it as long as they are dedicated, organized and efficient. The most talented software engineers tend to start experimenting with code during high school. Similar to any foreign language, programming needs to be constantly be practiced and expanded, so the individual can understand and solve real world problems. There are free classes online, such as through Coursera and MIT OpenCourseWare, but there are also official certification programs. Ideally, students will prepare themselves to pass industry standard certifications, such as Adaptive Communication Environment (ACE), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) and Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP).
Experimentation
In order to practice programming skills, create a game, build a website or design a phone app. All of this accumulated experience will help software engineers in their future jobs. Students should experiment with the most popular languages, such as C++, VB, PHP, MySQL, CSS, HTML, Flash, Python, Java and Javascript. Once they find the languages that they are most comfortable with, they should build up a professional portfolio of products. By publishing apps, games and websites, software engineering students will gain valuable feedback and learn how to perfect their creations. This is especially important, because they won’t lose money or get fired, they will just identify bugs, streamline processes and learn to anticipate problems.
Recommended Academics
If possible, those who want to become software engineers should take college level computer science and programming classes, according to GlassDoor. Even an associate’s degree program will introduce students to the software engineering fundamentals of analyzing, modeling, validating, testing and documenting programs Studying system design will introduce participants to industry standards and best practices and studying pattern oriented design will examine well-known principles and heuristics deployed in the design and construction of software packages and frameworks. Lessons on systems architecture will touch on infrastructure patterns, architectural designs and framework product lines. In studying enterprise integration, students will learn new advances in the design, development and deployment of management software and production information systems.
Related Resource: Software Engineering
To quickly become a software engineer, it is a good idea to intern with a reputable company. Some of the well-recognized companies that offer programming internships include IBM, HP, Intel, Comcast and even Google.
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