Software engineers today have one of the most in-demand jobs in the world. With the rise of the importance of technology and the development of the digital revolution, it is vital for every company and organization to have access to the best software professionals. Naturally, this kind of career requires a serious level of preparation. But what do prospective software engineers need to learn, exactly, and how can they go about learning these essential skills?
In this article, we look at the essential computer training needed to become a software engineer, including the skills needed to thrive in the profession, and the specific areas of expertise required. In addition, we also look at the typical educational path of a software engineer, as well as the importance of real-life experience and a positive attitude to lifelong learning.
A wide-ranging profession
Generally speaking, software engineers are responsible for applying the engineering design process to design, develop, test, and maintain computer software. Software engineers may be asked to build operating systems, applications, and programs for businesses and other organizations. As technology has become ever more integrated into both our daily lives and the infrastructure around us, software engineers can find themselves involved in any number of fields, from sales and marketing to public administration or even education.
Many, for example, will work on front-end design, ensuring efficient and effective interactions with clients or customers through apps, websites, and other methods of communication. Others might work more behind the scenes, helping to build customer relationship management software, fulfill orders, or extract and interpret business analytics. Security is another vital area where software engineers are often required. This also requires specialized training. So, how can someone go about preparing for such a multifaceted profession?
Building the basics
Firstly, all future software engineers will need to build up the basic digital skills needed through foundational computer science education. Though this typically takes place in a school setting, some software engineers may find they need to extend or develop their knowledge at a later date. Fortunately, there are a whole host of online and in-person classes available for anyone interested in developing their fundamental digital and computer skills post-school, perhaps before going on to take a higher-level course or to begin some kind of related work.
Beyond that, prospective software engineers will also want to develop a good level of programming proficiency. Though general study is important, a high level of proficiency is usually achieved through hands-on projects and coding exercises that can provide the level of practical experience required. Version control—the practice of tracking and managing changes made to software code, is another important area that should be mastered at an early stage.
Extending the repertoire
Once the basics have been acquired, it will then be important to develop a wider range of skills. Most software engineers will need to become adept at database management, for example, which is concerned with organizing, storing, retrieving, and presenting data, as well as operating databases and keeping them secure. Web development technologies are also crucial. Here, software engineers are expected to be familiar with not only the relevant programming languages, such as HTML, XML, and JavaScript, but also the frameworks used to build webpages, protocols, and client and server issues. Although many software engineers will likely later look to specialize in one area or field, it is usually a good idea to develop a broad range of knowledge in different technologies in order to ensure the ability to be agile and more flexible later on.
In addition, software engineers usually look to be familiar with a range of operating systems—particularly Microsoft Windows, Google’s Android OS, Apple’s MacOS, and Linux—though some engineers will also explore other options, too. Finally, they will also be expected to be good at testing, confirming a program or system meets its specifications, and debugging, which is concerned more with identifying and fixing errors in a program or system.
Acquiring the skills needed for success
So how can someone who is interested in becoming a software engineer go about building the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the field? Many of the best software engineers seek to complete a Computer Science Master’s Degree to obtain a high level of expertise in their chosen field. With the Online Master’s in Computer Science with a Software Engineering track at Baylor University, for example, students will gain a sophisticated understanding of computation theory, applied AI, software engineering, advanced algorithms, distributed systems development, and software verification and validation. The online nature of the course at Baylor University also positions it as an excellent choice for students who would like to maintain full or part-time work during their studies.
Always building for the future
Of course, with a practical profession such as software engineering, on-the-job experience is also crucial, which is why most of the best software engineers will do their best to explore a range of different areas of their profession to gain the most extensive possible experience. Often, they will also work on projects in their own time both before, during, and after their formal education. Indeed, a firm commitment to lifelong learning is another crucial aspect of building a successful career in this field. And with the rapid changes in technology only set to pick up even more speed in the future, continuous learning for anyone who doesn’t want to get left behind.
The good news is that for anyone who takes the time to build up both the basic skills of software engineering and wider experience in different facets of the profession, it will always be possible to add newer blocks of knowledge later on. If they can combine this with a positive attitude to work, excellent communication skills, and a flexible approach, not to mention plenty of determination and tenacity, then they will certainly find themselves on the right path to an exciting and richly rewarding career.
