Signs a Career as a Software Engineer is for You

A Software Engineer applies scientific and mathematical principles in order to create computer software and solve problems. Your role covers writing diagnostic programs and writing code for operating systems and software. Here are the signs you’d make a good software engineer:

You have…

• knowledge of computer systems and technologies
• excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex issues clearly and concisely
• organisational skills and attention to detail
• a logical, analytical approach and problem-solving skills
• business skills and commercial awareness
• the ability to work both in a team and independently
• interest in furthering your knowledge and skills

You want to…

• analyse user requirements
• write and test code, refining and rewriting it as necessary 
• research, design and write new software programs and computer operating systems
• evaluate the software and systems that make computers and hardware work
• develop existing programs by analysing and identifying areas for modification
• integrate existing software products and get incompatible platforms to work together
• create technical specifications
• write systems to control the scheduling of jobs or to control the access allowed to users or remote systems
• write operational documentation with technical authors
• maintain systems by monitoring and correcting software defects
• work closely with other staff, such as project managers, graphic artists, UX designers, other developers, systems analysts and sales and marketing professionals
• continually update technical knowledge and skills by attending in-house and external courses, reading manuals and accessing new applications.

You don’t mind…

• occasional working outside of office hours towards the end of projects
• mostly office-based work
• low ratio of women to men in the sector.

Getting started

This career is open to all graduates but a 2:1 degree in the following subjects may give you an advantage:

• Computer science
• Computer software or computer systems engineering
• Electronics
• Information systems
• Mathematics
• Physics.

Graduates in non-computer related subjects may consider completing a Higher National Diploma in a computer-related subject to gain the necessary knowledge and experience.

Work experience shows enthusiasm and provides experience and networking opportunities. Work experience can be gained through speculative applications or a year in industry.

Search all software engineering jobs on our vacancies page.

Article source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/software-engineer