Whether you’re drawn to the challenge of solving complex problems, the creativity of building something from scratch, or the stability of a high-demand career, software engineering has something for everyone.

Below we break down the steps needed to make a software engineer career a reality. You’ll understand what a software engineer does and qualifications and explore different career paths.

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Meet Software Engineering Requirements

A software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications on various devices. The most obvious first step is to get the necessary qualifications. Most software engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in:

• computer science

• software engineering

• information technology

• electrical engineering

Any degree that provides a strong base in programming, data structures, algorithms, and software development principles can help you become a software engineer. Education is only one part of the equation—you need to demonstrate you have these technical skills:

• proficiency in languages like Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, Ruby, or Swift

• understand data structures and algorithms: Understanding how to organize and manipulate data efficiently

• proficiency in different operating systems

• Git and GitHub

• knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Firebase

• work comfortably with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud

• writing tests (unit, integration, etc.) and debugging code for quality and reliability

• ability to work with RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and other web services

• ability to understand user needs and design software that is user-friendly and accessible

Technical skills aren’t the only abilities you need. When you become a software engineer, you’ll likely be working in teams, and you must be able to think on your feet. These soft skills can help you excel in the workplace:

• critical thinking to solve complex technical challenges

• written and verbal communication skills to explain ideas and collaborate with others

• ability to work well in a team for collaboration with other engineers, designers, and product managers

• eagerness to adapt to changing requirements or environments and learn new technologies

• excellent time management skills to meet deadlines and balance multiple tasks or projects

You may also find it helpful to attend coding boot camps and other higher-level qualifications to bolster your skills. Continuous learning is a large part of maintaining a software engineering job. This could be working towards a Masters degree or certications.

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Gain Experience and Network

As you are studying to become a software engineer, you’ll need to find a way to gain experience and build a network of support. This is helpful because you can leverage the expertise of industry experts and gain valuable experience.  

Getting a software engineering job can seem paradoxical due to the experience requirement. However, you can gain hands-on experience through bootcamps, internships, and personal projects. Networking at job fairs and industry events, as well as participating in coding competitions, can also provide valuable opportunities.

When you take on personal software engineering projects or get software engineering internships, this could help you stand out as a candidate. Real world experience is invaluable there is no real substitute for that. These experiences will help you to develop and hone your technical and soft skills. You’ll also be able to test the knowledge you’ve gained while studying.  

You can use personal projects as parts of your personal portfolio to showcase what you can do. Software engineering internships also allow you to network with senior engineers so you can see get a better idea of the career path you can take within a company.  

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Software Engineer?

How long it takes to become a software engineer depends on a lot. For a high school graduate, you’ll need at least four years of full-time study before you can apply for a software engineer job. If you are switching careers or have part-time study, it will take longer.  

It could be shorter as some candidates are lucky enough to have a software engineer career without going through a traditional route. But, be mindful that a software engineer job isn’t guaranteed after you graduate—you’ll need to stand out as a job candidate.  

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What Is a Software Engineer’s Salary?

A software engineer’s salary depends on factors like:

• experience

• educational background

• technical skills

• professional background

According to Indeed, the average base software engineer salary in the US is $105,394 per year.  

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Start the Journey to Your Ideal Career Path

The Space industry is wide and vast—thankfully, you don’t have to venture out there on your own. Our networking group allows you to connect with like-minded individuals and experts to help you jumpstart your career.  

Join the Gravitate networking group!  

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