Ultimate Guide: How to Become a Software Engineer in 2023

If you have a mind for computers and a desire to build the software the world runs on, then discover how to become a software engineer! These are talented, capable professionals who earn excellent salaries and enjoy good job security. But becoming a software engineer can be complex, especially since there is more than one way to acquire the necessary experience and credentials. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about jobs and the requirements for the software engineer career path.

Article Navigation: Software Engineering Definition | How to Become a Software Engineer | Determining a Career Path | Software Engineer Education Requirements | Gaining Experience | Advancing Your Career | Salary & Career Outlook | Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs | Mid-Level Jobs | Top-Tier Jobs | Alternative Careers | Resources | FAQs | Choose an Online Degree

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

To put it simply, a software engineer designs computer programs or applications. They can work with desktop, laptop, or mobile apps, and they work in a variety of industries, not just the IT/information technology industry.

Software engineers also do more than just code or write programs. They:

• Conceptualize software apps and solutions
• Help design the apps in terms of their overall functionality
• Write code in multiple languages
• Edit or review code

As a result, these professionals can vary based on their specialty, work experience, and personal interests. Some enjoy or prioritize working on specific projects, like building apps. In contrast, others focus on designing intricate systems for businesses/enterprise-level operations.

Regardless, software developer certifications and software engineer training can help new engineers hone their skills in a direction they want to grow.

Depending on their industry and exact job specifications, software engineers may have many responsibilities. For example, they may be responsible for completing an application already partly underway. On the other hand, they might be responsible for developing an app to fulfill corporate objectives.

Furthermore, they can work primarily alone or work with teams. Those who work in teams report to superiors, accumulating experience to become software engineering managers. Working in teams requires communicating well and often creating code for review before it’s fully integrated into an existing or upcoming app.

Software Developer vs. Software Engineer

Although software engineers sound like software developers, the two professions are distinct. To illustrate, engineers create digital architecture enabling computer applications. Developers use an existing architecture to carry out programming tasks. In some sense, developers are specialized engineers. In other words, software engineers make and design solution-oriented systems. Developers apply their technical skills to realize, refine, or work within those systems.

How to become a software developer is similar to that of becoming a software engineer. It usually takes anywhere between a few months to four years to enter this industry, depending on one’s college and IT experience. It also generally takes around four years to become a software developer from start to finish, assuming no college degree or IT experience.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Software Engineer?

It takes around four years on average to become an entry-level software engineer.

How to Become a Software Engineer

If becoming a software engineer is your professional goal, you must know how to get there. Let’s break down how to become a software engineer one step at a time.

Step 1 – Determine a Career Path

First, you’ll want to determine your career path or the general trajectory. Software engineering and development careers can vary based on time requirements, educational cost, and exact responsibilities.

Step 2 – Bachelor’s in Software Engineering

Next, you’ll need educational credentials to qualify for this career. Generally, this means getting a degree, acquiring certain certificates, and acquiring experience. You can alternatively attend a coding Bootcamp or pursue self-directed learning.

The most common and ideal degree for software engineers is a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in software engineering. Depending on the school, a degree in software development, information systems, or information technology may also suffice.

Step 3 – Pursue Software Engineering Jobs

Then, you need to pursue different software engineering jobs, starting at the entry level or by pursuing internships and software projects. As you gain experience, you’ll build a portfolio that will make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers. This is key if you want to know how to become a software developer without a degree.

Step 4 – Advance Your Career

Once you have a software engineering job, you can advance your career. For example, through continued education like a master's in software engineering and other professional opportunities, you can become a software development manager.

Determining a Career Path

As an aspiring software engineer, you should determine your overall career objectives early on. That’s because you can specialize in different areas of IT or programming knowledge. For example, suppose you want to become a computer programmer. In that case, you must focus on learning the languages that allow you to design and write website programs.

If you still need to decide on a career path, do some research to see what stands out. Let’s look at two software engineer jobs in Seattle as examples.

Software Engineer Job Examples

One job is for the position of Software Development Engineer in Test (Remote). The job is a full-time position and enables remote work. According to the job’s requirements, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Also, they need 4 to 6 years of experience as a technician in similar roles. The job demands additional experience using certain tools, such as Azure DevOps CI/CD and SQL.

To acquire this job, you should first acquire a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related topic. Then make sure to take courses in the required tools or programming languages as listed in the job description. Then, if the degree coursework doesn’t cover the right knowledge, you can take additional certification programs or courses to round out your skill set before applying.

Another software engineer job in Seattle with a salary of up to $160,000 a year is one at CyberCoders. It’s a full-time job and requires SQL and XLM experience, C# experience, and more, in addition to a relevant bachelor’s degree.

Again, the process of qualifying for this job is straightforward:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree
• Make sure you get the certificates and work experience you need to fulfill the job requirements

Generally, determining your software engineering career path is as simple as looking for current software engineering jobs in the workplace. Then, you can plan out how you’ll best meet those job requirements in the future.

Software Engineer Education Requirements

Regardless, you’ll need to meet certain software engineer requirements before entering this profession. Let’s check out these educational steps to become a software engineer.

Software Engineer Degree Online: What to Look For

The first software engineer education requirement is to get a bachelor's degree. This is the minimum required education for most software engineering jobs. Most companies will require proof of a degree from an accredited university in order to grant you an interview. The gold-standard major is software engineering.

However, the majority of software engineering jobs also accept applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in topics like software development (a very closely related subject), computer science, or programming.

Software engineers must know key IT concepts such as:

• Programming languages
• How software engineering works
• How development teams work together to create intricate products on time for clients

Most software degree programs include courses on topics such as:

• Computer programming languages
• Software design principles and methodologies
• Cybersecurity
• And more

Getting a degree is also important because it’s harder to convince an employer to take a chance on you without one. Strictly speaking, you’ll only qualify for lower-paying positions (even with an excellent portfolio and some experience) if you don’t have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. If you want to earn as much money as you can as a software engineer, you should earn a degree as soon as possible.

ABET Accreditation

While there are plenty of excellent online software engineering degrees, pursue those accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. ABET is the most widely recognized organization responsible for accrediting educational programs in computing. This body also accredits programs in engineering, applied and natural sciences, and related topics. ABET must accredit your degree program if you want your employer to take it seriously.

Bootcamps

While getting a degree is the most traditional route to becoming a software engineer, it’s not the only one available. You can also progress through a software engineering Bootcamp or coding Bootcamp.

These fast programs give newcomers to the IT industry the skills they need for programming jobs. Coding Bootcamps usually last between three and six months. They are perfect for working professionals who want to switch careers in middle age.

That said, keep in mind that coding Bootcamps usually focus on web-based coding instead of software engineering. Therefore, most Bootcamps won’t qualify you for the highest-paying jobs without further experience or a degree. Still, these can be great means to get your foot in the door of the IT industry.

Self-Directed Learning

Lastly, you can try self-directed learning. For example, you can take free coding classes on websites like edX to give yourself the foundational skills to succeed in this industry. Like with coding Bootcamps, these educational resources won’t necessarily qualify you for the best software engineering jobs. However, they can help you get started if you don’t have any experience with the basics.

Gaining Experience in Software Engineering

After acquiring the right educational credentials, you’ll need to gain experience in the industry. You can get that experience through internships, personal coding or software engineering projects, volunteer work, and even your first entry-level jobs.

Hands-On Experience

Getting hands-on experience is important because it showcases your skills to the best employers in the industry. Furthermore, it gives you the confidence to succeed in the highest responsibility and highest-pressure positions. Specifically, most positions require one to five years of experience using specific tools or programming languages, like Java, C++, or Azure DevOps. Also, many open positions require “soft” hands-on experience in topics like working on a team, working as a leader, or delivering products on time.

To that end, try to broaden your skill set as much as possible. Particularly, learn multiple programming languages, work on teams, and tackle challenging projects that you can add to your portfolio.

A common example of experience needed to become a senior software engineer includes:

• Five or more years of work experience
• Must be highly adaptable and able to take on anything new
• Excellent team communication and demonstrated project management skills

Build a Portfolio

As you get experience, you’ll build a portfolio to showcase to employers during interviews. A portfolio is a collection of your best work in the field, showcasing your skills, expertise, and what you have to offer to a potential employer. You may provide your portfolio to recruiters or hiring managers.

You’ll often want to build both a technical and non-technical portfolio. The non-technical portfolio is ideal for the initial hiring process because recruiters look for broad-based skills and knowledge to meet a general requirement. Therefore, you’ll showcase your best-looking projects or summaries of complex projects you worked on with the results front and center, such as:

• Revenue
• Satisfied clients
• Positive testimonials from your superiors

A technical portfolio is best for hiring managers who know the ins and outs of software development. To illustrate, when putting together a technical portfolio, include samples of:

• Your code
• Breakdowns of why you built software products in a specific way
• More positive reviews from experts in your industry, like former bosses

You can make your portfolio as a PDF or other file, but be sure to print it out. The digital version may need to be emailed or shared with multiple people.

Advancing Your Software Engineering Career

Say you have met the software engineer education requirements but still want to advance your career, employment potential, and salary. Luckily, you can do this in a variety of ways.

1. Programming Languages

Firstly, you can learn program languages. The more you learn, the more versatile you’ll be and the more valuable you’ll be to employers. A few of the best programming languages to learn include:

• JavaScript
• Python
• Java
• C++
• C#
• PHP
• HTML
• CSS
• SQL
• NoSQL
• Rust
• Perl
• Go

2. Becoming Certified

You can also earn a certificate which provide you the chance to prove experience and specialization. Some examples of these certifications include:

• CompTIA Security+ is an excellent credential that may help you qualify for cybersecurity-related positions in the future. It’s a very in-demand certificate for software engineers and managers of all stripes.
• Microsoft Technology Associate, a certificate that helps you focus your career on data platform administration, development, or other specializations
• Google IT Support Certificate is an excellent certificate to pursue if you ever want to work at Google. It’s 100% remote and requires less than 10 hours of study per week.
• Certified Ethical Hacker, a certification given by EC-Council that shows you know how to assess computer security systems and find weaknesses and vulnerabilities
• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect, which showcases your expertise or specialization in developing, designing, and managing Google Cloud solutions
• Project Management Professional is a well-rounded certification that qualifies you to work in a managerial or administrative context. It’s perfect for those looking to advance their careers after a few years of experience.

While certificates are beneficial, they are different from degrees and can’t serve as full-on replacements for them. That said, some degrees may lead you to certification, including the classes or prerequisite knowledge you need to sit for certain certification exams.

3. Earning an Online Master’s in Software Engineering

Another way to advance your career is to earn a top online master's in software engineering or another IT subject. A master’s degree may qualify you for increased responsibilities, higher pay, and even some management positions depending on your specialization. Here are a few examples of some excellent programs.

Liberty University – Master of Science in Information Technology / Software Design & Management

This online program emphasizes software design and management. It’s an excellent degree for future managers in the industry. SACSCOC fully accredits Liberty University, and this program includes 36 credit hours of education.

More importantly, on average, you can complete this degree program in 1.5 years. It offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Students will build on existing IT training to learn more about management specialized studies in computer science. Graduates will also learn more about overseeing management information systems, security issues, and database design.

Find Out More

Illinois Institute of Technology – Master of Computer Science / Software Engineering

In addition, consider this master’s in computer science with a software engineering concentration. It includes a handful of core courses separated into three categories of computer science: theory, systems, and programming.

While you can earn the degree through coursework, you can also complete and defend a master’s thesis or complete a master’s project. Nonetheless, the program consists of 33 credit hours. After completing this program, graduates can pursue jobs such as master data analyst, operations manager, and security systems designer.

Jacksonville State University – Master of Science in Computer Systems & Software Design

Jacksonville State University’s online master’s degree has two start dates throughout the year. It’s a comprehensive program that enables students without a degree in computer science, provided that they have the equivalent of a minor in computer science. Students also need a handful of prerequisite software engineer courses.

Should you qualify, you’ll benefit from a range of courses, such as computer security, computer systems management, advanced software design principles, and database systems analysis.

Find Out More

Software Engineer Career Outlook

Because it takes several years to begin this career, you need to know whether this career is right for you before starting. There’s a lot about this career that makes it an attractive professional prospect for up-and-coming graduates.

How Much Do Software Engineers Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average software engineer or software developer salary is over $109,000 per year. However, the highest-paid earn over $168,000 annually.

Note that your salary depends on your degree level and your experience/portfolio strength. Generally, you’ll qualify for higher-paying positions with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related topic compared to qualifying for a software engineering job without a degree.

Job Outlook

The BLS also indicates that engineers, developers, and related professionals have a very positive job outlook. These jobs are projected to grow by 25% until 2031, which is faster than the national average for other occupations.

If you have the right background, you can find a job that pays well in your area, even if it is remote. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of software developer jobs and salaries. Salaries vary depending on software engineer job descriptions, requirements, and the skills you bring to your organization.

Entry Level Software Engineering Jobs

Aside from being a software engineer, you may qualify for other positions at the entry level. Here’s a look at three entry-level software engineering jobs.

Computer Network Architect

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $68,719 per year

These professionals design and build LANs, WANs, and other data communication networks. They focus on designing and implementing applications and solutions.

Computer Programmer

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $44,093

Computer programmers write, test, modify, and implement code and scripts. They take the designs that higher-level computer engineers come up with and write the programs that those ideas become.

Computer Hardware Engineer

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $55,385

These professionals focus on researching, developing, and testing computer systems and components. They build and fix systems rather than software.

Mid-Level Jobs

As you gain experience, skills, and confidence, you will qualify for mid-level jobs. These careers offer higher pay and more opportunities for advancement. Here are three examples.

Senior Software Engineer/Software Engineer Manager

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $109,020 per year

Senior software engineers are simply more experienced. They earn higher salaries and may lead small teams of developers. They often understand and write multiple programming languages very well.

Information Security Analyst

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $102,600 per year

These professionals plan and then carry out different security measures or fixes for organizations. In other words, they improve cybersecurity, computer networks, and isolated systems.

Computer Systems Analyst

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $99,270 per year

Computer systems analysts study an organization’s computer systems and networks. Above all, they design and implement ways to boost efficiency, security, or productivity.

Top-Tier Jobs

Once you earn a master’s degree and have plenty of experience plus a bolstered portfolio, you could qualify for top software engineering jobs. Here are a few examples.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s
Salary: $159,010 per year

These professionals lead teams of developers and engineers to complete all computer-related activities for an organization. Also, they develop app-related goals or objectives.

Computer and Information Research Scientist

Degree Requirement: Master’s
Salary: $131,490 per year

Computer and information research scientists develop new ways to create or use technology. They also design new computer systems or programming languages.

Senior DevSecOps Engineer

Degree Requirement: Master’s
Salary: $168,570 per year

Senior DevSecOps engineers unify coding and design methodologies to incorporate digital security into programming and engineering processes. They often oversee teams of skilled programmers and developers.

Alternative Careers

As mentioned earlier, relevant jobs are available to you outside the IT industry. Your skills, coupled with the product knowledge built up in a software career, can be applied across today’s job market. Here are some examples of alternative jobs you could consider based on technical and product knowledge and team-based experience:

• Developer marketing
• Technical recruiting
• Business analysis
• Project management
• Technical and customer support
• Technical writer
• Research and development

Professional Organizations, Associations, and Resources

Check out these professional organizations and resources to further your career prospects and gain important support throughout your educational journey.

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• CodePen
• GitHub
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Leanpub
• Dice
• CrunchBoard
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Computer Society
• Association of Software Professionals
• Association for Women in Computing

FAQs

How long does it take to become a software engineer at Google?

Google is a highly competitive organization. The average Google software engineer salary is well over $120,000 yearly. In brief, becoming a software engineer at Google will likely take between four and eight years at a minimum. To become a senior software engineer at Google will take longer—roughly six to ten years. Also, you’ll need to accumulate experience and build a portfolio to gain the attention of Google recruiters.

How to become a software engineer without a degree

If you don’t have a degree, you can take free coding classes using online resources. For instance, EdX. Then acquire programming skills that employers demand.

Choose Your Online Degree

As you can see, becoming a software engineer is accessible to everyone. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have IT experience, your future is bright. This is especially true if you want to become a software engineer online. GetEducated’s extensive resources can help you find the right online program for your needs. Get started today!