If you’re an aspiring software engineer, you can expect regular opportunities to progress your career. As you learn technical skills and gain experience, new doors will open. You’ll have the choice to continue working with  code, or to use your understanding of the software development lifecycle to lead teams.

By learning  the fundamental principles of coding and the software development process, you’ll give yourself a solid foundation to add value in any company.

We're here to describe the most common job titles in the field of software engineering, as well as the skills you need to perfect in order to excel in them. We'll also offer up some pro tips on how to advance your career, or switch to software engineering from a totally different industry.

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Software Engineering Job Titles

Let’s look at some typical job titles to get a better understanding of just how flexible a future in software engineering can be:

A Typical Career Path for a Software Engineer

Below is a common career path for a software engineer. Bear in mind that each company will have its own specific roadmap and this is just an example.

Responsibilities of a Software Engineer

Here are some common responsibilities associated with the software engineering role:

Software Engineering Skills

In order to thrive in a software engineering role, there's a whole spectrum of hard and soft skills you should focus on building.

Hard Skills:

Your primary function as a software engineer is to build effectives pages, apps and software. So first and foremost, you need some tangible hard skills like the following.

Soft Skills:

As you advance in your discipline, you'll find that your job isn't limited strictly to coding. You'll also have to train others, lead teams, and communicate with other departments. So plan to lean on these nifty soft skills, too.

If you manage to excel in a few of these areas, you'll become a key part of any engineering team - and a highly coveted employee.

How to Advance Your Software Engineering Career

As you know now, software engineering isn't all about mastering JavaScript and HTML. You'll need to go above and beyond in a few key areas in order to stand out to employers, and achieve your highest earning potential.

If you want to progress quickly in the field of software engineering, then plan to:

Job Outlook for Software Engineers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers is expected to grow by 22% from 2019 - 2029. That's a lot faster than average growth.

That demand is driven largely by the fact that almost any company needs an online presence, and has growing tech needs. Software engineers have the skills to build the pages, apps, and other tech tools that businesses rely on to be competitive.

These unprecedented demands have translated into lucrative compensation packages as tech firms jostle to secure top talent. A software engineer in the U.S. can now earn at least $100,000.

If you're entering this field, you can be confident that there will be growing demand over the next decade and beyond. As long as you develop a strong work ethic, are committed to the field, and continue to learn as you go, then you'll have plenty of job prospects in any city or industry across the U.S.

How to Start A Career in Software Engineering

A degree in software engineering or computer science is the traditional approach taken by many students. But with tuition fees rising and a typical bachelors course lasting 4 years, some are seeking alternative forms of education. Software engineering bootcamps are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike a degree course, they hone in on the skills employers are looking for to help students fast-track their way into a well-paid position.

If you’re interested in becoming a software engineer, enroll in our software engineering bootcamp to kickstart your tech career. You’ll gain hands-on experience by learning with  industry professionals. We’ll support you every step of the way to help  you land your dream software job.

Feel free to browse our tech blog to read more insightful articles on tech careers.

FAQs

How do I become a Software Engineer?

You can become a software engineer by having a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or information technology. You should also have a good knowledge of software development and important programming languages like Python, JAVA and C++. Developing soft skills is necessary for growth at management level.

How much does a Software Engineer make?

The salary of a software engineer can vary from $80,000 - $120,000 based on his level of experience in the field. The salary also depends on the level of expertise a software engineer has in specialized in demand skills such as software development, JAVA, SQL, Python, Microsoft C#, etc.

What's the job outlook for a Software Engineer?

Software Engineers have great career opportunities. Their demand is growing as many companies need an online presence for their businesses to stay relevant. Many business organizations need skilled software engineers to help in building pages, apps and other tech tools needed to remain competitive in the market.

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