How To Become A Software Engineer

Entry Level Software Engineer

Fresh graduates from software engineering degree programs have some idea of the nature of the work they will be doing. In many cases, depending on the University they attended, they will have actually worked in the industry developing real time applications for actual companies and, in some cases, government agencies. But taking part in a University Work Study Program or Apprenticeship program is not totally the real world and, unless a student was recruited directly from school, or hired as a result of exemplary performance in an apprenticeship program, it will be challenging to find the right niche job when they do leave school. This problem is not, surprisingly enough, due to lack of job openings, The problem is that there are so many positions available for an entry level software engineer that choosing between them can be troublesome.

In most cases an entry level engineer will work in some sort of Java application programming environment, simply because Java is the most commonly used language now. This is still an engineering level job however, not a simply programming job and even entry level engineers will find themselves in very challenging environments where deadlines and budgets are very real issues. There are entry level jobs available in Quality Assurance, Embedded Software Engineering, Software Test Specialist,and many more sub fields today. Software engineering was named by CareerCast as one of the ten best jobs to have today, coming in at the very top of the list. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistic says it is a career field that is guaranteed to grow by at least 21% during the next several years but in the United States fewer and fewer people are studying computer science, stressing more on Liberal Arts. This leaves a huge vacuum that needs to be filled and the opportunities for advancement to Senior Software Engineer with a major company are nearly limitless.

This means basically that an entry level software engineer can pick and choose where they work and what type of work they will be doing. Whether it be logistics technician or guidewire integration consultant, there are literally thousands of jobs available to students with high a GPA and the drive to succeed in a wide open new field. While studies and grades are very important, there are also other things students with the drive to succeed should be doing while still in school. Some of these, like getting certifications in advance and career networking, have been mentioned in previous posts and these items can prove invaluable when you are on the job market.