Working as a Software Engineer
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What is a Software Engineer?
Software engineers, also sometimes known as software developers, build and design computer programs to meet with corporate requirements.
Upon completion, the software engineers test the programs and debug and maintain them.
What programming languages does a Software Engineer need to know?
Software engineer
Working as a Software engineer you will commonly need to have a working knowledge of a variety of programming languages and applications. This is largely due to the diversity of work they can be involved in. These languages include:
C++
Perl
.Net
C#
ASP.Net
VB.Net
Java
Oracle
PHP
Linux
Python
What qualifications do you need to be a Software Engineer?
In order to get a job as a software engineer, a degree in an IT-related subject is usually required. Subjects include:
Computer science
Information technology
Software development
Software engineering
Business information systems
Working as a software engineer is one of the most popular professions in IT and as such having work experience in the field can be advantageous. Experience in the industry can be obtained through your degree in the form of work placements. Voluntary work, internships, summer schools or contacts in the industry can be alternative ways of gaining this experience. Employers seeking to hire a software engineer look favourably upon relevant work experience and this alone can substantially aid your application.
What skills do you need to be a Software Engineer?
In addition to formal qualifications and experience, employers also look for the following attributes in candidates:
The ability to think logically
Work under pressure
Work alone and as part of a team
Good problem solving skills
Good communication skills
Commitment to continuous skills development
Typical work activities for a Software Engineer
software engineer
As a Software engineer your typical work activities include:
Writing new software programs
Testing, debugging and maintaining programs
Solving software compatibility problems
Installation of programs
Writing operational documentation
Training of program functionality and usability
What career opportunities are there for Software Engineers?
The career opportunities for a software engineer are shaped to a certain extent by the type and size of the organisation for which you work.
Possible career paths include:
Senior roles. Software engineers with sufficient experience can move into more senior roles whereby their job would involve overseeing teams of other software engineers. It is also possible to move into a project management role and supervise the development of projects.
Consultancy. Software engineers who have an abundance of experience can move into an IT consultancy role. Consultancy roles are generally better paid, allow for a greater diversity in work and present people with the opportunity to start their own businesses.
Lecturing. With the correct experience, academic credentials and even published work, it is possible to enter into the world of research, teaching and lecturing.
What is the average salary of a Software Engineer?
Salaries for a graduate software engineer range from £19,000 to £24,000 per year
According to IT Jobs Watch, the average salary for a software engineer is £37,197 which has risen 4.01% on the same period last year
Senior software engineers with management responsibilities can earn up to £45,000
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