Software Engineering Careers
How to Become a Software Engineer
Are you interested in computer technology? Maybe you've already done some computer programming. Computer software engineers design, develop, and test the software that makes computers work. There are two main types of software engineer:
Computer applications software engineer career
Applications engineers develop software applications and utility programs. The program languages they use include C, C++, and Java. These computer professionals work on all phases of the development process from needs analysis to testing and maintaining the software.
Computer systems software engineer career
Systems engineers work plan, set up, and maintain an organizations' computer systems. They coordinate different departments, link computers through intranets, and implement computer security measures.
Degree Programs and Training for the Software Engineer Career
Employers prefer that job candidates for software engineer jobs have at least a bachelor's degree, usually in computer science or software engineering. Advanced degrees in mathematics and systems design often make applicants for computer security jobs more attractive to employers.
Software Engineer Career Certification and Licensing
There is no industry-standard certification or licensing process for software engineers. Some software vendors offer certification programs for their products, but this training alone is not sufficient for most software engineering jobs.
Software Engineers' Earnings
These are the median 2006 earnings for some software engineering careers:
Mathematicians' Earnings
These are the median 2006 earnings for some math careers:
| Job | Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer applications software engineer | $80,000 |
| Computer systems software engineer | $85,000 |
Software Engineers' Employment Outlook
Software engineering is one of the fastest-growing occupations, and job prospects for software engineers are excellent. Right now, computer networking, mobile technology, and information security are important growth areas.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.