How to become a Software Engineer

Here’s a typical flow for software engineer responsibilities:

There are hundreds of languages that coders use. Instead of listing them all, we’ll focus on the top five most popular from StackOverflow’s recent survey.

Every coding job is different. But here are some things a coder can expect to do day-to-day:

It depends on the project. Here are some ways coders work:

Outside of tech companies, coders can find jobs in:

When we talk about software developer vs. software engineer, it might be hard to know quite what we mean. The terms can be used interchangeably. Still, there are general ways in which the two differ.

Here we get into another distinction akin to software engineer vs. web developer or web developer vs. software developer. These two roles differ in focus.

The core skill all software engineers have is coding. If you want to know what language is best or which has the highest salary, we go into that in detail in our previous post. Here, we’re going to show you a few approaches to learning to code.

Computer science degrees
When people consider learning to code, they often think they need a software programmer degree from a four-year university. These schools do indeed give students strong foundations in algorithms, coding languages, and other fundamental concepts. In addition, four-year programs also include classes that provide theoretical knowledge. Combined, this can give grads a good basis for a wide range of technical roles. That’s not to mention the other perks that come with a college education — the degree, the on-campus experience, and the weird classes in unexpected knowledge that can refresh how you view the world.

This does come with downsides, though. The average college education costs $35,551 per year. The average student debt is $28,950. That’s not to mention that many people take on these high costs and do not even graduate. That means they have debt without a degree — the worst of both worlds.

In addition, as computer science changes so rapidly, college curricula struggle to stay relevant. Not only that, but the information taught is often too theoretical. It tends to be detached from real-world uses. Then, once grads start looking for jobs, they realize they have no practical skills or industry experience to put on their resumes.

This is not to say that college is a bad choice. If you are interested in higher education for reasons beyond future employability, the degree is likely still worth it. If you’re focused on learning to code to improve your career prospects, there are other ways that are cheaper and more employment-focused.

Coding tutors
Often, people choose to learn with online coding tutors. Programming tutors can be found on freelancing websites, and often their lessons can be very affordable. Sessions can be arranged according to the learner’s schedule, and different tutors can cover different languages or technologies. This can make tech knowledge very accessible for learners. In fact, if you’re looking for a good resource, here are the best YouTube channels for Software Engineering students.

However, tutors tend to only focus on one aspect of getting a job in tech: the hard skills. Other key things such as resume and interview prep are not in their purview. In addition, when students finish their time with a tutor, they may not have anything to show for it in their portfolios. That’s not to mention that tutors can vary wildly in quality and competence. Sifting through a sea of freelance coding teachers can be a job in and of itself.

Software Engineering Bootcamps
Software engineering bootcamps are the way to learn coding for career-minded people. They focus on giving students useful knowledge and experience to get them the new career they’re searching for. Because they are staffed by industry experts, these programs can teach the latest versions of the most in-demand coding languages.

These bootcamps are shaped into two- to three-week sprints. During this time, students are given tasks to complete in cohorts, but how they approach the tasks is up to them. This reflects how work is done in the tech industry, meaning grads leave bootcamps more prepared for a new career. In addition, they are placed among a robust community that can support them in whatever way they might need.

But the education at bootcamps extends further. In addition to the hard skills in coding, these programs often include sections dedicated to career prep. This includes guidance on building a strong resume, advice on negotiation, mock interviews for practice, and more. Not only do grads leave bootcamps with knowledge of code. They also gain the ability to clearly communicate their skills to hiring managers. This is why many bootcamps feel confident enough to offer guarantees — if students don’t find a job in their new field within six months of finishing the program, they get their money back. Sound too good to be true? Check it out for yourself.

In fact, there are even free coding bootcamps out there. For example, there is one all about SQL, the language techies use to get programs to talk to databases. It’s a skill in high demand, and you can start your journey in tech with it without paying a cent. Find out more about it here.

And if you want more insight on getting a tech career, check out our previous post here.

Here’s a list of what we think are the best certifications for software engineers:

Depending on how your coding career pans out, one of these may be more relevant than another. It's worth noting that software developer certifications alone do not guarantee career success. Practical experience, continuous learning, and staying informed on industry trends are all vital.

Whatever shape it comes in, job placement should be at the top of your list when looking for a good bootcamp. After all, you’re most likely not joining a bootcamp just for fun. You want the program to help revitalize your career. So choose one that is career-focused. Find out more in our post here.