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In today’s tech-dominated world, becoming a software engineer is one of the most diverse career paths you can take.
Pursuing a computer science degree and transitioning into a software engineering role can open doors to various positions such as software engineer, front end or back-end developer, full-stack engineer, cloud architect, DevOps engineer, data engineer, game developer, or AI/ML engineer.
However, entering the field is not without its challenges. Software engineering is oversaturated with entry-level candidates and comes with hefty technical requirements. Standing out from the crowd will require significant effort and dedication.
The good news is that there are so many courses, coding bootcamps, and certifications available to fine-tune your skills, that if you invest the time and effort, you can potentially turn this into a long and rewarding career.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about becoming a software engineer, including pathways how to become a software engineer without a degree.
Key Takeaways
- Becoming a software engineer can take anywhere from a few months to over four years.
- Important skills for software engineers include, among others, coding, programming, creating algorithms, and critical thinking.
- You can enter the field through various pathways, including getting a software engineer major, attending coding boot camps, and acquiring certifications.
- Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your projects and network consistently.
- Sites like Upwork and Fiverr can help you start, but building direct client relationships is crucial for long-term success.
- An average salary in the industry is $115,301 per year.
- Show Full Guide
How Long Does It Take to Become a Software Engineer?
The answer is: It varies. It can take anywhere from a few months to over four years to enter such a position. The duration depends on your career path, educational background, work experience, and your ability to network and promote yourself.
No matter how long it takes, the most important thing is that you develop relevant software engineering skills, including:
- Coding
- Programming
- Creating algorithms
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Mathematics
- Problem solving
- Communication (Written and verbal)
- Project management
- Team work
- Agile
- Software testing
- Software development
- SQL
- HTML
How to Become a Software Engineer in 2024: 4 Ways to Enter the Industry
Earn a Degree
One of the most popular ways to enter the industry is by earning a degree from a respected educational institution or engineering school. According to Zippia, 73% of software engineers have a bachelor’s degree, 20% hold a master’s degree, and 4% have an associate degree.
- A bachelor’s degree typically takes around four years to complete.
- A master’s degree can take between two to four years.
- An associate degree usually takes two years.
The textbook software engineer degree is in computer science. However, fields such as information technology (IT) or electrical engineering are also relevant.
Most job openings expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Nonetheless, there are many opportunities for candidates without a degree, provided they possess the right skills and work experience.
It’s worth noting that more senior positions may require a master’s degree.
Attend a Coding Bootcamp
Outside of formal education, attending coding bootcamps is a great way to improve your skills.
If earning a degree is not an option or you prefer an alternative path, coding bootcamps offer a viable route to becoming a software engineer. These bootcamps are intensive courses, typically lasting three-six months, designed to teach fundamental coding and programming skills.
While coding bootcamps may not provide comprehensive entry into software engineering, they equip you with essential skills that are vital for future roles in the field.
Get a Certification
On your journey to become a software engineer, it’s important to acquire certifications to demonstrate the skills you’ve learned. Gaining certification through a reputable organization like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) shows that you have proven expertise in your field.
We recommend exploring some of the top-paying IT certifications, such as CISSP, ITILv4, CCNA, VCP, COMPTIA, and CISM. These certifications are highly sought after in the industry and can significantly enhance your employability and overall salary.
Investing time in getting multiple software engineer certifications can make a significant difference in your career prospects, especially if you don’t have a degree. These validate your knowledge and skills and can significantly enhance your credibility and competitiveness in the job market.
Gain Practical Experience
Once you have some form of software engineer training under your belt, it’s time to start gaining practical experience. After all, employers want to see that you can reliably build and maintain software products under pressure.
One of the best ways to gain practical experience is by applying for software engineering or software development internships at reputable companies. Even if these internships are unpaid, they demonstrate that you’ve invested time in learning your craft and developing skills on the job.
You can also gain experience by working in the freelance market, completing paid projects for third-party clients as an independent contractor.
If you choose the freelance route, sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are great starting points to land initial projects.
For long-term success and fair compensation, you’ll want to eventually conduct your own outreach and build direct relationships with clients. This approach ensures you are adequately compensated for your expertise and efforts.
Programming Languages to Learn to Become a Software Engineer
When becoming a software engineer, there are several programming languages you might want to learn, depending on the areas you want to specialize in. Popular languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, C, C++, Go, Swift, C#, SQL, and Java are excellent starting points.
Rather than trying to learn all the programming languages available, focus on one or two that align with your interests, so you can become more proficient and effective in using them.
Importance of a Strong Portfolio
Building a strong portfolio is essential for demonstrating your expertise in real-world environments. A comprehensive portfolio of past work allows you to show prospective employers and recruiters that you have experience working on quality projects.
In your portfolio, aim to provide a clear and concise summary of each project you contributed to, detailing your role and the project’s results (if applicable).
Showcasing Projects on GitHub
Sharing your projects on GitHub is an great way to showcase your contributions. After all, the quality of your work can speak for itself.
It is not uncommon for companies to inquire about GitHub projects in interviews, so regularly updating your projects can be the difference between receiving a job offer or not.
Original projects built with clean, readable code that others use and are well-documented demonstrate your ability to create functional software.
Creating a Personal Website
Having your own website isn’t a must have for getting into software development, but it is an effective way to build your personal brand. It provides another platform to showcase your skills and projects to prospective employers.
Taking the time to develope a website can be particularly useful if you’re seeking freelance or contract work, as it increases your visibility and allows you to display your past work.
Importance of Networking
When working to become a software engineer, it’s a good idea to consistently network. Engage with others in your industry by attending events, talking to classmates, joining relevant groups on platforms like Facebook and Reddit, and participating in discussions on industry forums.
Networking can not only help you build valuable connections that enrich your social life but also provide entry points to roles and projects throughout your career.
Software Engineer Salary & Job Outlook
Now that you know how to become a software developer or engineer, let’s look at the type of salary you can expect. According to Glassdoor, a software engineer in the U.S. can earn an average salary of $115,301 per year, with potential earnings reaching up to $205,000 per year.
What about the overall job outlook for the field? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the outlook for software developers remains promising. There are projected to be 153,900 openings each year for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers from 2022 to 2032 in the U.S.
The BLS also expects employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers to increase by 25 percent over the decade, which is above the average for all occupations.
That being said, the tech industry is notoriously oversaturated, and securing entry-level software engineering positions can be challenging if you’re not dedicating time to developing your skills and actively networking, especially if you don’t have a software engineer degree.
Likewise, the impact of AI on the industry is still uncertain. Many large language models (LLMs) are already capable of producing code, and their abilities are expected to improve in the future. This suggests that there could be potential for disruption in the industry due to automation.
The Bottom Line
Being a software engineer has the potential to be a rewarding career path for those who
are willing to put the time in to learning the right skills. Investing time and money in your software engineer education will help you to build your employability so that you stand out from other candidates.
Keeping those skills up-to-date as new technology emerges is essential for being in a position to solve key business problems going forward.
