About Software Engineering

Software engineers use their knowledge of programming languages and computer operating systems to design and develop software. Using mathematics and computer science principles, software engineers create operating systems, games, apps and more, depending on their specialisation. As well as developing new software, software engineers also train others and test existing software programs.

　　If you’re after a career path with stellar future prospects, studying Software Engineering makes perfect sense!

　　

Is Software Engineering right for me?

Software Engineering is well-suited to people with a logical mind and an inquisitive nature. In order to develop software that exceeds expectations, you’ll need to blend creativity and curiosity with rationality and careful analysis. You should also be able to work alongside other people, as software development is a team effort.

　　Bear in mind that software engineers work an average of 8.5 hours a day, which is higher than the national average of 7 hours. 44% of them also work after dinner time, being highly committed to their craft. Luckily, remote working is quite commonplace among software engineers, which can help to balance out this higher time commitment. Software engineers can also choose to work either as employees or contractors, with the former offering stability and the latter offering flexibility.

　　

Software Engineering study options and costs

　　Software engineers typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in either Software Engineering or Computer Science. In the US, this can set you back around USD$30,000 a year, while in Canada, it’ll cost around CAD$15,000 a year.

　　It’s also worth noting that software engineers study more than the average population. Given how quickly the industry is changing, it’s important for professionals to stay on top of the latest advancements. In fact, 48% of all software engineers have said that they recently learnt a new skill, compared to 36% of other working professionals. 45% of software engineers also updated their LinkedIn profiles recently, making sure to demonstrate their continuous learning.

　　

Future outlook

The US will need an additional 260,200 software engineers over the next ten years, which translates to incredible opportunities for budding engineers. App development is set to grow by 26%, while systems engineering will see an increase of around 10%. Comparatively, the growth rate for other professions is only 4%.

　　As software becomes a bigger part of everyday life, software engineers will be able to enjoy opportunities across a diverse array of industries and companies. Plus, Silicon Valley isn’t the only place to enjoy a thriving Software Engineering career - Montreal, London and Melbourne also have booming industries!

　　

Career pathways for Software Engineering graduates

　　

Front-End Engineer

　　Front-end engineers develop the user interface (UI) of websites and apps, crafting the visual elements of the program. They’re also responsible for ensuring cross-browser compatibility and eliminating bugs to ensure the best possible user experience.

　　

Back-End Engineer

　　Back-end engineers manage the performance of a given application, designing and implementing the core logic while ensuring scalability. The business logic, server scripts and application programming interfaces they write will then be used by front-end engineers and UX designers to produce the program.

　　

Full-Stack Engineer

　　A software engineer that is across both front and back-end engineering is called a full-stack engineer. These professionals can work independently or within an organisation to provide an end-to-end service.

　　

Mobile Engineer

　　Mobile engineering is truly taking off, particularly appealing to younger workers. These professionals design, develop and implement software for phones and mobile devices, typically specialising in either iOS or Android.

　　

Test or Quality Assurance Engineer

　　Test or QA engineers create automated tests and tools to ensure all programs and processes run smoothly. You can choose to specialise in either hardware or software, perfecting products and services before they are launched on the market.