Summary:
Describes the appeal of software engineering as a career choice. Explains what software engineers do in their jobs.
Pretty much everyone has used Microsoft Word at one time or another. Everyone has used it, from typing up this essay to doing genealogy research or writing a letter to a friend. But who created the program? Sure, Microsoft did, but who in Microsoft helped make it? Well it was a collection of computer programmers, beta testers, and software engineers. Why being a software engineer appeals most to me is that it requires the broadest knowledge of different material and has the greatest area for advancement.
First, what do software engineers do? Software engineers have a wide range of duties to do on a job, from researching what a customer would want in a program, help in the designing and developing of a program, to programming and testing the program so that it works as designed. Other duties include train professional staff so they understand the programs and how they work, present and talk about the programs to potential customers, write up technical reports and books among other things.
Where do software engineers work? Most work inside in front of a computer most of the time or walking around help and checking on the project. If the company needs to, they will send their engineers to other places for consulting with clients in other areas. But some larger companies might not do that and will have their engineers duties defined, so travel is not ensured in this field. Companies that hire software engineers are normally wireless companies, information management design companies, telecommunications companies, engineering research and development department of manufacturing companies, the Federal Government, the Military, and many others.
How much do software engineers get paid and what is their job outlook? According to California Labor Market Information (LMI) which I found with EUREKA, as of 2003, software engineers starting pay is from $57,600 to $58,800 a year and goes up with experience to $106,800 and up per year. And the outlook is great if you want to be a software engineer, LMI estimated in 2003 there were 73,600 jobs and projects that in 2010 there will be around 151,000 jobs, which is faster then average.
Do they get any benefits? That is really up to the company the engineer works for, but typical benefits include health care plans, paid vacations, paid holidays, paid sick leave, stock options and some even offer tuition for employees to continue their educations or learn new technologies as they are developed.
What do I have to do to get a job as a software engineer? Many companies require a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science or Scientific Programming, according to EUREKA. And experience is some times required too. The common experience wanted is two to six years in systems support, programming, network services, diagnostics and/or communications, again according to EUREKA. Some of the best colleges in California to earn a degree in computers are Cal Tech, Cal Poly, USC, and Cal State Fullerton.
What should I take while in college to become a software engineer? A software engineer is a programmer first and foremost. So they need a strong background in computer programming. Also a software engineer is required to have some skills in computer-controlled equipment, CAD/CAM system development, and familiarity with programming languages, such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic, XML, PHP, and Assembly. Other abilities needed include strong organization skills, principles in computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis and other techniques, knowledge of design software programs, and the ability to plan and oversee projects.
There is a TV show called The Screen Savers that started in 1998 and continues today. I started watching the show from the beginning but I wasn't really interested in it fully, I really only cared about what games I could play on my computer. But about a year later something happened that sparked my current fascination in computers. So I find the career of software engineer will give me a great chance to learn a variety of different areas.
I interviewed my computer teacher, Mr. Glenn DiCaro, who has been in the computer field since 1988 and currently works at California High School and Tri-Cities ROP. I asked him what he thought was the best way to get in to computers and he said that getting a good education and that if you have a high enough GPA, some companies recruit students straight out of college. Another question I asked was what is so great about computers and he replied "you are at the cutting edge of technology, knowing that you could be designing the next multi-gajillion dollar program, aiding in medical research, etc." and I think that is something I would like to be a part of.
If everything would be perfect and goes right, I plan to graduate from Rio Hondo with an Associates degree and transferring to Cal State Fullerton. While at Cal State Fullerton, I hope to earn my major in computer science, and also I hope to earn a degree in business so I can understand how a business works, which is a good all around education.
I picked software engineer in EUREKA because it looked like the broadest career in the field of computers, not because I want to be a software engineer. But after researching the career, I might want to look into it further. I might not become a software engineer but I do want to go into the computer field, so who knows if you see me in 10 years from I might just be a software engineer or I might be the next Bill Gates... just not as bad as him.
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