Photo credit: Springbroad
Computers touch almost every area of life. You can thank the software engineers for that. If you want to succeed in this industry you need to hone your software engineering skills as you will be responsible for developing, designing, testing, writing, modifying and debugging software according to specific requirements. To keep up with the world's ever-growing interest in new and better computer programs, an entire crew of software engineers will be hired over the coming years.
While there are many full-time positions for software developers, it can also be a flexible position as outsourcing and freelance opportunities are common. Looking to beat the competition for one of Monster's thousands of software engineering jobs? You need to focus on developing these fundamental skills.
Computer Programming & Coding
There are many computer programming languages and job requirements may vary depending on the job you are applying for. According to the programming site Bootcamp Coding Dojo, the five most popular programming languages are:
- Java
- Pythons
- C#
- Average
- Ruby
The good news is that these skills can be acquired through online courses or tutorials that teach programming languages, says Christine Julien, software engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin. This might explain why the coding school’s industry continues to grow rapidly.
Software Development
Software development involves the ability to analyze user needs and then design, test, and develop software to meet those needs. Students can gain experience in this area by attending relevant courses and doing an internship at a software company. A software engineer's skills can also be honed by working with real systems and working with other high-level software engineers, Julien says.
The developer jobs are projected to grow 22% over the next decade, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The emergence of new applications for smartphones and tablets is one of the drivers of this rapid growth in employment.
Object-Oriented Design (OOD)
"For the last 30 years, the focus has been on object-oriented programming," says David Garlan, professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University and co-author of Software Architecture: Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline. This approach involves the process of designing a system of interacting objects to solve a programming problem.
The object-oriented design incorporates four key principles:
- Summary
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
If this sounds strange to you, don't worry: online courses on platforms like Coursera and Udemy can give you a basic understanding.
Software Testing and Debugging
While many new artificial intelligence (AI) programs focus on automating software testing and debugging, job seekers still need those skills, says Anandkumar.
In fact, testing and debugging accounts for a large part of the time and cost of a software project, Julien explains. "These are also skills that are more like art than generating lines of code," he says. Testing and debugging software requires analytical thinking about the complexity of the system.
Software testing and debugging courses are available online, but "those skills are more of a craft that need to be honed through experience," says Julien.
Problem Solving and Logical Thinking
"It's the skills that definitely separate the great software engineers from the good ones," says Julien. Software problems can arise from even the smallest of mistakes, and programmers spend a lot of time debugging rather than programming. Therefore, the ability to not only identify software problems but also to solve them deductively is essential for many software engineering jobs.
Written and Oral Communication
In general, software engineers don't work in a vacuum: many of them interact with colleagues or customers. Therefore, communication skills are crucial for employers in the industry.
"One of the hallmarks of a good software engineer is the ability to explain something technical or complex to a layperson," says Garlan. "You don't want anyone to say, 'I solved the problem. But don't ask me how I did it."You should always be able to clearly articulate what you're doing." Communication also works when a customer has a problem with your company's software.
One of the best ways to improve your written and oral communication skills at work is to follow a more experienced software engineer who works directly with clients.
Find a Home for your Software Engineering Skills
As a software specialist, you are in high demand. Need help finding companies to hire? The Monster App is a quick, easy, and, shall we say, fun tool to help you organize and apply for the jobs you want. We'll help you find a great job like you.
👍👍
ReplyDelete