It seems like most people who study software engineering decide to go the independent contractor route as opposed to going full-time with a particular company. There are various reasons for this but it’s not uncommon to find many young software engineers working remotely or at least telecommuting part-time. However, what jobs can you get with a software engineering degree? Majority of the jobs you’ll be applying will be those that aren’t touching on the type of work you did in school.
With a software engineering degree, you can get a job as a programmer. A programmer is someone who writes programs to help computers perform tasks. Programmers write code in a computer language like Java or Python, and they use the programming language to tell the computer what to do.
You’ll also be able to get a job as an application developer if you have this degree. Application developers design and build software applications for end users. For example, they might program an app that helps you track your finances or make reservations at restaurants.
Another option is to become an information technology (IT) professional with your degree. IT professionals are responsible for managing IT systems in organizations and ensuring their smooth operation. They may also work on troubleshooting problems with hardware or software issues when those arise within an organization’s network infrastructure or other IT systems.
What jobs can you get with a software engineering degree
Introduction
One of the most popular degrees to pursue, especially in STEM fields, is a software engineering degree. These days it feels like there’s an app for everything, making both software and the people who develop it more and more sought after. But as with any degree, getting one doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to land your dream job right away.
So that you can enter the workforce knowing exactly what types of jobs are out there for someone with a software engineering degree, we’ve put together a list of some of your options. It’s important to note that this list isn’t exhaustive; there are other jobs out there that may require similar skillsets.
Software developer
Software developers are the people who create and maintain software applications. A software developer can be a developer of applications for mobile devices, the cloud, social media or websites. Software developers create and implement software solutions for companies that need to manage their data. Examples of specific types of software development include web application development (like creating an online store), enterprise application development (like creating a company intranet) and embedded systems design (for example, developing a “black box” device).
Database administrator
Database administrators are responsible for ensuring that databases are running smoothly and securely. They work with software engineers to ensure that the systems they’re managing are working properly, and they also help develop new ways of using databases.
Database administrators may be involved in writing code, but they spend most of their time on administrative tasks rather than coding. These include maintaining data integrity, backing up data and restoring it if necessary, keeping track of access rights granted to each user or group, monitoring performance metrics such as transaction rates per second or response times for queries against particular tables, ensuring uptime by tuning parameters like buffer sizes and query execution plans; performing capacity planning; configuring backup processes; creating documentation for other DBAs who need to manage systems independently (for example, when your DBA goes on vacation).
Because database administration is such a broad field (you can specialize in particular types of databases), there are many different job titles within this role: Systems Administrator
Database Administrator
Network engineer
A network engineer is someone who designs, installs and maintains computer networks. They may also troubleshoot problems with network hardware and software.
The requirements for being a network engineer vary depending on the employer, but they typically include:
- An associate’s degree or higher in computer science or engineering (or related field)
- Two years of experience working as a computer programmer
DevOps engineer
DevOps is a job role that is focused on the collaboration and communication between software developers, IT operations professionals and quality assurance specialists.
This can be a very rewarding career path for those who enjoy working with teams that are constantly developing new software and processes. It’s also one of the fastest growing roles in IT today, so if you have an interest in technology and current trends, this could be an exciting option for you!
What skills do I need?
To become a DevOps engineer it is essential to have good knowledge of many different technologies including: databases (MySQL or Oracle), virtualization tools (VMWare), operating systems (Linux) as well as programming languages such as C++ or Java.
Computer programmer
Computer programming is a career that involves writing code for computer programs. Computer programmers are responsible for writing the instructions that computers follow when performing tasks.
Programmers write code in a variety of languages, including Java and C++.
There are a lot of options beyond the software developer role with a software engineering degree.
There are, of course, many other jobs you can get with a software engineering degree. You could work as a database administrator, network engineer, devops engineer and more.
The great thing about these roles is that they’re all within the same industry but each requires different skillsets and backgrounds. For example, if you’re interested in working in computer programming then you may want to start by taking classes on C++ right away (and learning how to build apps), while someone who wants to go into networking would need more technical knowledge of networking equipment and protocols.
Conclusion
A bachelor’s degree in software engineering is a good all-around education for any job requiring technical skills. That being said, it also prepares students specifically for a career in software development.
