Considering a career in software engineering? Whether you’ve already declared a major in Computer Science or just started learning how to code on your own, there are some key things to know before pursuing a career in software engineering. To help you through the journey, we’ve compiled a guide to the most frequently asked questions about starting your career as a software engineer, covering everything from degree requirements to top skills to salary expectations.
At a high level, software engineers architect applications for various systems, such as web and mobile. Software engineers write code, design programs, and implement processes to create products and solutions for businesses and government entities.
Many software engineers have obtained a degree in computer science or a related field, like electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another programming intensive subject. However, a degree is not always a requirement to get a job in software engineering. Some software engineers are self-taught and some have learned the skills necessary for software engineering through a coding bootcamp.
Some large tech companies, like Google, have relaxed their degree requirements for software engineering candidates, instead choosing the focus on the skills and experiences. A degree alone won’t land you a job in software engineering – your problem-solving ability and skill set will.
The great thing about starting a career in software engineering: there are jobs with companies of all sizes and all locations.
While you might expect the typical career path of ‘software engineer’ to bring you to the West Coast to work at Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, or Amazon, there are actually jobs with companies of all sizes and all locations. Every company – whether or not they are classified as a “tech company” – needs software engineers. The demand for talented software engineers means that someone searching for their first job will be able to choose from a wide range of industries, companies, and locations.
Whether you’re interested in joining a mid-size startup or working at Fortune 500 company, there are software engineering jobs available with companies in nearly every industry.
Every company has its own blend of languages, frameworks, and services, making it impossible to learn the exact set of skills needed to do the job before joining a company. However, there are fundamental skills that are necessary for most entry-level software engineering jobs. Many of these you might learn through a computer science degree or through self-instruction, but these are the top skills to have in your arsenal before applying for an engineering job:
Every company will want something different, but they are typically looking for people who have experience in software engineering overall rather than specific languages and technologies. Many companies care more about your potential as a candidate – shown by your past projects and learning ability – than mastering one or two languages. You should get comfortable with the fundamentals of programming (such as data structures and algorithms) so you are able to learn new languages and tackle projects as your job demands. You can also gain experience in different areas before applying for your first job by creating projects in different languages and frameworks and publishing them to your Github profile.
The work you do as an entry-level software engineer can vary widely, but will likely rely heavily on the computer science fundamentals you acquire through your education. Because there are so many ways to be a software engineer, you will likely be asked to specialize in one area. The borders between these areas of programming are fluid and one's responsibilities can vary greatly from job to job. However, below are some common specializations, along with the most common skills and responsibilities typically associated with each.
Front-End Development
Code is designed to be understood by machines, but interfaces are designed to be understood by people. Front-end developers create the web or mobile applications that users see and interact with, typically working with UX and UI designers to bring product mockups to life. Commonly used front-end languages are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and developers should be familiar with front-end frameworks like Angular, React, or Vue.
Back-End Development
In a back-end development role, you will be working with the server-side of an application, or the parts of an application that are the “brain” of the software. There are a wide range of tasks you can perform on the back-end, but here are a few examples: Write APIs; implement machine learning models; implement websockets to update front-end; read and write to databases. Commonly used back-end languages include Java, Ruby, Python, and PHP.
Full Stack Development
Full stack developers take on the responsibility of front-end and back-end developers, working on everything from UIs to APIs. Companies often prefer hiring full-stack engineers because it means every person on their team is able to tackle all problems and features.
The salary of entry-level software engineers varies depending on the type of company you work for (large tech company vs. small non-technical company) as well as your location. The national average for entry-level software engineers according to PayScale is $78,000, while the average pay for entry-level software engineers in San Francisco jumps up to $98,000. According to Glassdoor, the salary for entry-level software engineers ranges from $62,000 to $125,000. Big tech companies like Facebook and Google are known to offer high salaries to new grads, as well as signing bonuses worth tens of thousands of dollars.
The high demand for software engineers makes this a high paying profession with great benefits and, typically, flexible work schedules. The opportunity for growth is high, as you can help define your trajectory by deciding where you want to specialize and what types of companies you want to work for. On top of that, software engineering gives you the chance to do something intellectually challenging while building technologies and services that are integrated into today’s society. For those who enjoy solving puzzles or creative thinking, it's essentially one giant puzzle that requires you to use your creativity to solve on a daily basis. You will also have the opportunity to work with other engineers who are passionate about building things and solving problems and you will never stop learning. The problem-solving and technical skills you gain from software engineering will almost always be applicable even if you change career paths, making this one of the top professions to enter.