Thinking about how to become a software engineer and live a life among people who are always in the pursuit of creating something new? Then you are at the right place, here in this article, you will get to know everything from what is software engineer to a step-by-step guide on how to become a software engineer. So, keep reading the article till the end to know about software engineering and how you can join forces with other 5.2 million software engineers in India; and create a crowned career in this field.
Nowadays, everything is connected digitally. We live in a digital age. Everything we do in our daily life is connected to technology. Also, our entire work is based on technology.
Just like we use our computers to work, everything is being done online, all because of software. And these kinds of software are developed by software engineers, but their job is not limited to this.
Software engineering is concerned with applying principles to software systems. And software engineer jobs include planning, designing, developing, testing and maintaining these software systems.
A software engineer creates different applications or websites based on the customers’ needs. They develop the code, the main framework behind any digital space.
A bachelor’s degree in software engineering makes the job search easy for engineering enthusiasts. Not only are there a lot of job opportunities for those with the right engineering skills, but with a graduate degree program, you can also pursue higher studies.
There are many benefits to choosing software engineering as a career path. These include:
Here are the steps that you can follow to become a software engineer.
The very first step to become a software engineer is gaining the right qualifications. This educational journey starts from the school itself where you need to choose physics, chemistry and mathematics as core subjects. After school, you gain college qualification where you learn all the aspects of engineering.
Colleges can teach you to an extent, the rest is upto you to figure out how to become a software engineer. To do so you need to start learning coding languages like C++, JAVA, and PYTHON. And practice whatever you learn and hone your programming skills.
Thinking about how to become a software engineer, gain practical exposure and learn how to work in a professional environment, then consider doing internships. You can do internships during your college years; this will give you the best opportunity to hone software engineer skills and get insight into what is software engineer.
With changing technologies and the introduction of AI, software engineers are forced to keep themselves updated with the latest developments. For this, they need to keep learning to stay relevant and succeed in their career. So, do the courses, complete certifications and take workshops which teach you the latest skills and knowledge related to your field.
Your network affects your career a lot, if you want to go forward in your career then network with people from your field who are ahead in their careers. If possible, find a mentor for yourself who can guide you on how to become a software engineer in the right way.
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Software Engineer requirements can be seen in top MNCs. The demand for software engineers can be seen from last year with the success rate of placement of software engineers at 93.5%.
The demand for software engineers is rising again. It is reported that 1.2 crore vacancies will open for engineers in the coming 5 years. This opens up a wider scope in this field and for the students who want to make a career in engineering.
On an average basis, software engineers in India earn around INR 5.3 LPA. The minimum salary for software engineers is INR 3.4 LPA. And an experienced engineer can earn up to INR 4 LPA.
As we move forward in the guide on how to become a software engineer, let’s see the eligibility and software engineer requirements.
The minimum eligibility criteria required to become a software engineer is a bachelor’s degree. You must have passed 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Computer Science as an optional subject.
You must have at least 60% in the 12th board to take admission to the bachelor’s degree program. After that take the all-India entrance test of JEE, MHT CET, etc., to get admission to top colleges.
Here is a list of soft and technical skills required in the software profile. Mentioning these engineering skills can boost your resume.
| Technical Skills | Soft Skills |
| C programming Language | Verbal Skills |
| C++ | Written Skills |
| Web Languages: HTML, CSS, JAVAScript | Interpersonal skills |
| Python | Analytical Mind |
| Databases: Oracle, MySQL | Creative Problem-Solving Skills |
| Coding Skills | Team Building Skills |
| Machine Learning | Networking Skills |
Here is a list of top employers who hire software engineers.
| Recruiters | Average Salary |
| Oracle Financial Services | INR 6.7 LPA |
| HCL Technologies | INR 4.17 LPA |
| Infosys | INR 6.42 LPA |
| Microsoft | INR 27.26 LPA |
| INR 40.51 LPA | |
| TCS | INR 5.54 LPA |
| Samsung | INR 14.55 LPA |
| Intel | INR 16.88 LPA |
| Adobe | INR 22.13 LPA |
| Cisco | INR 17 LPA |
| Deloitte | INR 8.11 LPA |
| IBM | INR 6.32 LPA |
| Cognizant | INR 7 LPA |
Source: Ambitionbox
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If you are an aspiring software engineer, hope this quick guide helped you in choosing whether this career option is right for you,
Becoming a software engineer is not difficult if you have programming skills, and a computer science or IT background, or are interested in these subjects. Most students are shifting to become software engineers as technology demands increase.
Pro Tip: Make sure your resume is well-optimized and targeted towards the job you’re applying for. A well-written career objective can go a long way!
Once you settle in this profession you can earn a good position and salary. You can also work in top multinational companies. There are many high-paying domains in engineering today like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Metaverse, etc. Hence, it is a great career option to start your career.
You can become a software engineer after completing your minimum education. It takes 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree after which you can start working as a software engineer. However, if you have a master’s degree like MTech, MCA or MBA, then your salary package will increase. It will take at least four years to become a software engineer.
To become a software engineer after the 12th you have to appear in the entrance exam to get admission to top colleges of the countries. Some of these exams are:
1. JEE
2. MHTCET
3. BITSAT
4. VITEEE
5. SRMJEEE
7. MET
After clearing any of these exams with a minimum score you can get admission to top engineering colleges. And after completing your four-year degree program, you can join the top companies in India or abroad.
The very first thing that everyone says is that you need to earn the CS degree to do so. However, if you can become software engineer with CS degree too by following these steps:
1. Learn the basics of computer science
2. Practice coding
3. Build a portfolio of your work
4. Network with other software engineers
5. Start applying for jobs
If you are in doubt about whether or not, should you become a software engineer or not, then let it be clear that the skills of software engineer are always required no matter how much technology changes. Here are the reasons why you should become a software engineer in 2023:
1. Thriving Job Market
2. Competitive salaries
3. Opportunities for growth
4. Flexible work arrangements
5. Job satisfaction
6. Versatile Industry Applications
7. Collaborative Work Environment
8. Creativity and Innovation
9. Entrepreneurial Opportunities
10. Job security
Becoming a network engineer is slightly different from becoming a software engineer. Thus, there are different steps for this, which are:
1. Fulfil Educational Eligibility
2. Gain Practical Experience
3. Acquire Networking Certifications
4. Specialize in a Network Area
5. Continue to Learn and Stay Updated
To become a cyber security engineer, you need to follow different steps than the one you follow to become a software engineer. The road to becoming a cyber security engineer follows the following steps:
1. Get a degree in cybersecurity
2. Gain experience in cybersecurity
3. Get certifications
4. Network with other cybersecurity professionals
5. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in cybersecurity
Cloud engineers are the type of engineers who work on designing, building and maintaining cloud computing systems. They are responsible for ensuring that cloud systems are secure, reliable, and scalable. Skills required to become a cloud engineer are:
1. Cloud Computing Fundamentals
2. Knowledge of Cloud Platforms
3. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
4. Scripting and Automation
5. Monitoring and Troubleshooting
If you want to grow in your software engineer career and become a Senior Software Developer, then there are more steps that you need to take other than honing your software engineer skills. These steps are:
1. Obtain a Solid Foundation in Software Development
2. Gain Practical Experience
3. Expand Your Technical Skill Set
4. Demonstrate Leadership and Initiative
5. Continuously Learn and Improve
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.