Software Engineering Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a Software Engineer

A software engineer uses computer science and mathematical skills in the design, development, testing and evaluation of the programs and applications that allow computers to operate, create documents and produce data.

Job Description

The software engineer is not a programmer, but he or she is familiar with the programming process. The software engineer looks at the customer's needs, evaluates those needs against software on the market and adjusts or redesigns a new program to suit those unmet needs by creating customized programs and applications.
 
Software engineers can work as:
  • consultants for small organizations
  • employees of large organizations that provide outsource services to other organizations
  • employees of software-development companies.
 
Software engineers typically work in comfortable office environments with all the tools they need at their disposal. The job does not involve a great deal of physical work other than computer testing, typing and mathematical analysis. There may be some travel, interaction with customers and vendors, and coordination with other departments.
 
Due to rising enhancements in available technology, daily changes and additions to existing technology, and the explosion of computer use in business and personal arenas, job prospects are excellent. Small and big businesses require customized software to handle their specific needs, and they need experienced, confident software engineers. Concerns over security should also provide extra demand. Computer software engineer jobs are projected to increase 38 percent by 2016.

Salary Guide

Salaries earned by software engineers range from $62,000 to $98,000 for the middle 50 percent of experienced employees. Computer software engineer graduates can expect to start in the mid-$50,000 range.

Education and Training

Most employers look for applicants with bachelor's degrees and knowledge of a variety of computer systems and technologies. About 80 percent of software engineers have college degrees, but some come with years of experience, abilities and skills that they acquire through sheer interest and fascination with technology.
 
More often than not, software engineers have degrees in computer science or mathematics. College graduates may get jobs with large computer firms who train them in real-world experience according to their policies and their client's preferences.
 
Software engineering certification programs are available, but most employers feel that a certification alone is not sufficient. They value software engineers who earn their certifications in a specific area after they have achieved their college degrees.
 
Since technology changes daily, the successful software engineer continually updates his or her education and experience through self-education and exposure to new technologies on the market.

Prior Work Experience

Students interested in becoming software engineers should take advantage of relevant internships while in college. Internships provide students with valuable industry knowledge that may help them find a good job after graduation.

Career Advancement

Software engineers advance in their careers by gaining experience. Recent graduates often start out testing designs. After some time, they may help design and develop software. Experienced software engineers may move on to become project managers, managers of information systems or chief information officers. Others use their expertise to become systems designers or independent consultants.

Related Associations and Groups

Many associations and groups exist for software engineers on a local and national level. Some examples include:
  • Association for Software Engineering Excellence
  • Educational Software Cooperative
  • International Game Developers Network.
 
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