Software Engineer

As long as there are computers, there will always be a need for software engineers. Since it doesn't look like computers are going away anytime soon, the future for software engineers looks quite promising.

What Software Engineers Do

Basically, software engineers develop new software and make improvements to existing software. They design the software, construct it, test it out countless times, and fix any problems that come up during testing. Software engineers also maintain existing software programs.

Education Needed to Become a Software Engineer

Commonly, software engineers hold bachelor's degrees in areas such as computer science, software engineering, or computer systems. Along with holding a degree, gaining experience in various computer systems is beneficial for those looking to work as a software engineer. Some software engineers hold degrees in non-computer fields such as mathematics, science, or engineering and gain training as a software engineer on the job.

On-the-Job Software Engineer Training

In order to get experience in various computer systems many students take on internships while still in school. It is possible to get hired by a firm that will train an inexperienced software engineer, but pay is usually higher for those who already have experience.

Continuing Education for Software Engineers

Because the software field is constantly changing and advancing, continuing education is an important part of software engineering. In order to learn new skills, many software engineers take training courses that are offered by their company or outside companies to stay competitive in their jobs.

Working Conditions for Software Engineers

Computer software engineers typically work in comfortable, well-lit offices or laboratories. Most software engineers work 40 hours a week; however, they may be required to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines and solve unexpected problems. Software engineers typically spend much of their time interacting with customers and coworkers, and much of their time may be spent out of the office. For many software engineers, travel is required.

The Future for Software Engineers

In 2004 the US Department of Labor reported that about 800,000 people were employed as software engineers. They also project that it will be one of the fastest-growing occupations from the years 2004-2014. This means that the ability for college graduates who hold bachelor's degrees in computer science or computer engineering and who have practical experience will have a good chance of finding employment after graduation.

The earnings projections for software engineers are positive, and salaries are only expected to rise as the field grows. As a matter of fact, the occupation of software engineer is rated as the top job to have because of its average pay, job growth rate, and the working conditions they typically have.

By Robin Shreeves