Software Engineer Requirements

If you want to become a Software Engineer, you may be wondering what the specific requirements associated with this job are. For instance, what skills will you need to learn? What about experience and a portfolio? And how important are references and a resume? Software Engineer skills and tools vary depending on the job, however, there are some common requirements. This article provides information about some of the requirements associated with the field of software engineering.

What is a Software Engineer?

A Software Engineer is a computer science professional. This is a job field that combines engineering and computer programming and involves designing, building, testing, and maintaining a variety of different types of software. The types of software that Software Engineers work on include computer programs, web and mobile applications, video games, operating systems, and network control systems. Coding is an important part of this job, however, Software Engineers also need to master many other skills including testing and debugging, object-oriented programming, and working with data structures and algorithms. Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills are also required for success in this field.

The term, “software engineering” was coined in the 1960s. Since then, this profession has grown rapidly and Software Engineers are sought after in many industries. The world continues to rely more and more heavily on software. A large, and growing, number of devices that people utilize every day are controlled by the software that is created and maintained by Software Engineers. This includes cell phones, computers and network systems, and smart appliances like ovens and laundry machines. Software Engineers also play an important role in creating and running the computer systems that are integral to many parts of daily life, in fields like business, communications, and education.

Education

There is more than one way to become a Software Engineer. If you want to get into this field you can take a number of different paths. One is to attend college and earn a degree in computer science or a related field. There are many different types of degrees, which take varied amounts of time to complete. In most cases, more advanced degrees lead to greater salaries. For example, if you earn a master’s degree, you’ll probably earn more than if you only have an associate’s degree. A benefit of having a degree is that degrees are usually valued by employers. A downside is that earning one takes a substantial investment of both time and money.

Another popular way to get into software engineering is to enroll in a professional training program, like a bootcamp or certificate course. These courses are much faster than degree programs and typically take only a matter of months to finish. They are also cheaper; typically no more than $20,000 or $30,000 yearly. A number of studies show that students who complete these types of programs are likely to earn significantly higher salaries. For example, Course Report surveyed more than 3,000 coding bootcamp graduates to get a better understanding of how bootcamps impacted their professional careers. In a November 2, 2023 report, it concludes that many graduates of bootcamps had higher salaries than college graduates. It reports that it found that bootcamp graduates earn about 51 percent more compared to their previous jobs. Further, it states that the average bootcamp costs $20,000 to $30,000 and, “The average bootcamp grad sees an average salary increase of 50.5% or $23,724(!) which almost immediately pays off your investment.” In recent years, bootcamps have become a very popular way to learn software engineering because they often lead to a well-paying job and they are far less time-consuming and expensive than college.

Experience

To become a Software Engineer, you’ll need to complete an education. However, you’ll also need to gain experience. In recent years, an increasing number of employers have begun to report more of a focus on skills-based hiring, meaning that they want to hire people who have practical experience and know how to actually use the skills that they have learned. In a July 18, 2023, Forbes article, Forbes Council Member Tigran Sloyan explains, “The fundamental concept behind skills-based hiring is simple: Employers should hire candidates based on what they can do rather than where they went to school or where they’ve worked before.” He cites a number of statistics that show that this type of hiring has increased significantly. He says, “The trend of skills-based hiring is made clear through data. In 2021, for example, LinkedIn saw a 21% increase in U.S. job postings requesting skills rather than qualifications. . . . And as of March 2023, one in five U.S. job listings on LinkedIn didn’t require a four-year college degree.” He adds, “In the case of technical hiring, skills-based hiring is even more popular. Take Accenture, a large IT and consulting firm; in 2022, only 26% of their postings for software engineering positions contained a degree requirement. For IBM’s software engineering roles, it’s similar—only 29% require a degree.”

The amount of experience you’ll need will vary depending on your job. For an entry-level job, less than two years of experience is typically required. Higher-level jobs require more experience. While experience means any paid positions that you’ve had, it can also include unpaid experience like internships and relevant volunteer work.

Skills

As a Software Engineer, you’ll need to master many different hard skills including coding languages, the ability to test and debug your software, and a strong understanding of data structures and algorithms. You’ll also need to master a number of soft skills including problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. These skills will help you work more effectively and can also help your interactions with clients and colleagues run smoothly.

Hard Skills

• Coding: Code forms the basis of software, and as a Software Engineer, coding is one of the most important skills that you’ll need to learn. Most Software Engineers are proficient in multiple coding languages. To work in this field, you’ll need to know how to write, read, test, and edit the coding languages that you learn. According to Stack Overflow’s 2023 survey of developers, the most popular programming, scripting, and markup languages used by professional developers are HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Typescript.
• Testing and Debugging: As a Software Engineer, you’ll also need to master testing and debugging. Testing is the process of examining software to look for errors, and debugging involves correcting any errors that you find. This process is vital for ensuring that software will function as intended, however, it can also be a frustrating and time-consuming process. Because testing and debugging involves finding problems and then fixing them, strong problem-solving skills are important to success.
• Data Structures and Algorithms: As a Software Engineer, you’ll need to gain a thorough understanding of data structures and algorithms. Data structures are how data is stored in a software program. Algorithms are sets of instructions that are used to access data structures and manipulate the data in them. Having a good understanding of computer architecture and a strong foundation in math can be helpful here.

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving: Problem-solving is central to software engineering, and if you plan to work in this field, it’s a vital skill to develop. Problem-solving is the process of identifying problems, analyzing them, and then designing solutions. It often involves curiosity, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box. Program-solving abilities can help you find and solve existing problems, but can also be used to anticipate potential future problems and solve them before they happen.
• Communication: Some people think of software engineering as an isolated job that involves sitting in front of your computer alone, and does not involve communicating, however, Software Engineers stress that while working on a computer is a part of their job, they definitely do not work in isolation. Instead, most say that that lot of what they do involves working with other people, which means that strong communication skills are essential. For a Software Engineer, having strong communication skills includes the ability to explain technical concepts to people who don’t have a technical background.
• Collaboration: Collaboration is important in software engineering because most Software Engineers work as part of a team. Team members might include Project Managers, Designers, and other Software Engineers. This means that to be successful in this role, you’ll need to learn how to collaborate well with all of the other individuals that you’ll be working with. Successful collaboration includes the ability to compromise, accept feedback, and motivate other people.

Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your best work that you can use to demonstrate to potential clients and employers what you’re capable of. If you want to become a Software Engineer, it’s important to build a strong portfolio. Doing so can take some time, so experts advise starting as soon as possible. You should include your best work, and make sure that it is complete and polished. You should showcase your unique style and personality, but make sure to keep it professional. A portfolio should showcase your technical skills, but it should also show your soft skills.

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

A resume and LinkedIn profile are a way of introducing yourself to employers or clients. In many cases, they will be the first thing that these people look at and will be a deciding factor in whether or not you have the opportunity to meet face to face. Your resume and LinkedIn portfolio should contain your skills and experience. They should explain how you are qualified for a specific job, and why you would be a good fit. They should be customized for each position that you apply for. A resume should generally be no longer than two pages. A LinkedIn profile can contain more information.

References

If you’re trying to become a Software Engineer, you’ll also need references. These are people who can speak positively about your skills, experience, and work ethic. A potential employer might use them for a background check, and also to gain a better understanding of your personality, abilities, and work style. When you’re applying for a software engineering job, good references can help you stand out from other candidates who have similar qualifications to you. References can be people that you have worked with; ideally, supervisors. References can also include teachers. You should not use friends or family members as a reference.

Learn the Skills to Become a Software Engineer at Noble Desktop

If you want to learn the skills you’ll need to become a Software Engineer, you’ll find a variety of class options at Noble Desktop. This New York City-based design and coding school offers both in-person and live online courses. It also has a variety of flexible scheduling options including part-time programs and courses that run on weeknights and weekends. All Noble Desktop classes come with the option of a free retake within one year, which is a great way to refresh your skills and gain additional practice. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

• One popular Noble option is the Software Engineering Certificate. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. The program also covers JavaScript, and the JavaScript library, React. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, and you’ll also create a portfolio.

• Noble Desktop also offers shorter classes that only take a day or two to complete and focus on a more narrow set of skills. For instance, if you’re looking for a class where you can improve your coding skills, Noble offers a short beginner class called Web Development with HTML & CSS, where you can learn to create webpages by coding with HTML and CSS. In this class, you’ll learn to use HTML to create webpages that have text and images. You’ll also learn to use CSS for styling content, creating centered page layouts, adding background images, style navigation, and for making responsive pages that adapt to various screen sizes. If you already know the basics of HTML and CSS, you might be more interested in Noble’s Advanced HTML and CSS class. This class covers a variety of advanced topics including SVG, CSS variables, gradients, shadows, positioning, transitions, transforms, and responsive images.

Noble Desktop also offers many bootcamps. For instance, there is a React Development Bootcamp, where you’ll learn how to build web applications with React. This course begins by covering basics including how to compose components. Throughout the course, you’ll build a number of web applications. You’ll also deploy them using Amazon Web Services. Another Bootcamp option is Python Web Development with Django, which covers URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django.