Software engineers are the ones who develop all the software that we use every day, from productivity tools like Microsoft Office to web browsers like Google Chrome.
Software engineers have strong job prospects because more and more industries rely heavily on technology, so developers can earn an impressive salary! In this guide, we’ll give you everything you need to know about how to become a software engineer. We’ll cover what it takes to be successful as a developer and tell you if this career is right for you. So let’s get started!
What is Software Engineering?
A software engineer is someone who develops software. This might seem like it’s pretty similar to what developers do; however, there are some key differences between the two.
The biggest difference that separates engineers from developers is that most engineers work with operating systems and other low-level elements of computer engineering. For example, they may design new ways to process information in order to make programs run faster.
Engineers tend to focus on making things efficient rather than user friendly. So even though your computer runs more quickly because of them, you may not appreciate their work.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Software Engineer?
There are many different kinds of engineers who specialize in developing systems. There are also different paths you can take to becoming a software engineer that can take months to years.
- Bootcamp – These training programs typically take six months to a year and are intensive focused programs. While these are newer ways of training, graduates are seeing employment opportunities at more and more employers.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering – This is the gold standard for being trained as a software engineer, and you will find some employers still want a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.
- Certifications – Some software engineering jobs require certification from an accredited certification body. For example, the Certified Software Development Professional ( CSDP ) credential is required to work as a software developer in many companies. That being said, not all engineers have to be certified!