Software Engineer: Develops software applications and programs using programming languages such as C#, Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, C++, and others. They do work like coding, testing, and debugging errors.
Different levels of seniority can be Application Engineer, Senior Engineer, Staff Engineer/ Lead Engineer, Senior Staff Engineer/ Senior Lead Engineer. Some different areas of software development are Mobile Developer, Front end Developer, Back end Developer, Web Developer.
Software Architect: If we related this to buildings, this would be something like creating the blueprints. It is about understanding and describing how high-level software systems and technologies will work and perform together. Sometimes, this can be at a lower level of how components will operate together or how sets of components will work together. It can also go up to a level of how products or services will interact together throughout a company (Sometimes called Enterprise Architects). Software Engineering Manager: These are people who are the manager of Software Engineers. The manager doesn’t have to be someone from a computer science or engineering background if it often is for line managers.
Analyzing 2861 C# jobs in the New York metro area breaking down by education requirement: High School (28), Associate Degree (67), Bachelor or equivalent work (520 – extrapolated as 45% of those with Bachelor as a requirement), Bachelor (637 extrapolated as 55% of total Bachelors requirement), Masters (1540 *Data is wrong), and Doctorate (69).
What was shocking for me, at least, is that the job site showed 56% of the job market “seems to” prefer a master’s degree or higher. Note I this data is wrong – The first 15 jobs I checked ALL allowed for a Bachelors degree. So it would seem it’s more likely that the majority of the market would prefer a bachelors degree but about 45% of those indicate they would allow equivalent work experience alternatively.
With a BS degree, you have access to at least roughly 43% to possibly 99% of the job market (maybe more), which would definitely provide you the ability to find enough jobs in most times/markets. Without a BS degree you may have access to less than half of that market.
NOTE The chart for masters used the data the job site had for jobs requiring a masters. A quick analysis suggests that data is wrong and most jobs allow Bachelors degree.
Can you get a software engineering job without a Bachelor’s degree or higher? While it is possible you could be limiting your options. According to a stack overflow survey, only around 23% of professional developers did NOT have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Some companies that mention a bachelor’s degree will accept that or equivalent professional experience (3 – 5 Years) (An estimated 45% of software engineering jobs). So it is possible, though, if that percentage is accurate, the percentage of job availability to you may be lower than if you did get a degree. There are still plenty of people that do enter the field without one. Some people enter the field from different disciplines sometimes due to the nature of the work they ended up in, interest, or money.
Coding bootcamps have emerged as intensive, immersive programs designed to fast-track individuals into the world of coding. However, not all bootcamps are created equal. Researching and selecting reputable bootcamps with a track record of strong outcomes is crucial. Look for programs that boast high graduation rates, positive alumni reviews, and partnerships with industry leaders.
A reputable coding bootcamp not only provides a structured learning environment but also offers valuable networking opportunities. Consider factors such as curriculum, instructors’ expertise, and post-graduation support in your research. Look for bootcamps that align with your career goals and the specific skills sought by employers in the software development field.
One of the defining features of coding bootcamps is their emphasis on project-based learning. Instead of a theoretical approach, bootcamps immerse participants in real-world projects that mirror the challenges faced in professional settings. This hands-on experience is invaluable, allowing you to apply theoretical concepts in a practical context.
The intensity of bootcamps encourages rapid skill development, simulating the fast-paced nature of the tech industry. The projects undertaken during a bootcamp become key components of your portfolio, showcasing your abilities to potential employers. Embrace the challenges, collaborate with peers, and leverage the mentorship provided by experienced instructors to maximize your learning experience.
The digital era has democratized education, making high-quality courses accessible with an internet connection. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity host a plethora of courses covering a wide array of programming languages, frameworks, and software development methodologies.
These platforms collaborate with top universities and industry experts to deliver content that is both comprehensive and up-to-date. Explore courses tailored to your specific interests and career goals. Whether you’re delving into web development, machine learning, or software engineering fundamentals, these platforms provide a flexible and self-paced learning environment.
Perhaps your current work has some tasks that require development skills that you could take on. Find the tasks and ask about them if you think you can handle them, and your employer would either allow time for you to learn, or you can learn on the side and work on those tasks at a reasonable pace. Finding some existing job tasks you can do might be the easiest way to get some programming skills listed on your resume. Ideally, if possible, start small and work your way to larger projects.
(joke) Agile reminds me of an old movie called Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where people were replaced with aliens that looked just like them.
With Agile, programmers have now accepted not 1 meeting, not 2 meetings, but 13 meetings in two weeks! Like I said, it’s like the opposite alien took over. You have your sprint planning, grooming, reveal, and oh, let’s not forget the 10 scrum meetings.
Before Agile, developers hated being asked about their status. Of course, now, we have those 10 daily scrum meetings per sprint to solve that. I know, I know, they are not status meetings (wink). It’s like the opposite people are inhabiting your bodies.
What do programmers do all day? You know. Sit and code. And what do they ask you to do in Scrum? Stand up! Still don’t think opposite aliens have inhabited programmers yet? Still not enough evidence for you?
Essential Software Development Career + Technical GuideSo if this is all made up, and it’s not alien body snatchers, why did people related to the Agile process have to say it’s friendly with the term the three amigos?
More opposites. A lot of developers, let’s be honest, mostly just code and don’t have time for sports. So what they do is steal the rugby term “scrum.” There are more terms you have heard of, like “swarm,” which may be taken from lacrosse.
So we are comparing this idea of people who are not who they once were, like aliens. If aliens were to have thought up this concept, what terms might they use? Hmm . . . Velocity and Burn-Down might come to mind. Coincidence?
It’s almost like up doesn’t mean up, down doesn’t mean down . . . Oh wait, done doesn’t mean done. Now, you have to say, “Done done done.”
So you know if there were aliens, they would probably even play some alien games. You know, different from the rest of the human race. Oh, wait, you play Planning Poker. Hmm . . .
Still don’t believe it? These body snatchers have made you liars. What do little kids get told at bedtime? Of course, stories. I know what you are thinking. Stories have more than one meaning. They could be fiction or non-fiction. But of course, they go and estimate them in another word for lies: Fibs! So I know what they meant by stories.
Still don’t believe me? Lots of villains, some aliens, liked to be called this. For example, in Star Wars, what did Darth Vader call the emperor? That’s right, Master. And of course, we have Scrum Master in Agile. What does that make you?
You know, maybe it’s not body snatchers or clones. Maybe they can take over your mind with just a thought that could explain all of this.
This reminds me. Before Agile, most projects were late, and now, not so much. So maybe this whole body snatcher, clone, mind-control thing isn’t so bad.
If you are looking for where to get a bachelor of computer science degree, you found the right page. You don’t need a top-school university degree to get a computer science degree. The big names may make it a little easier to get your first job, but after that, it probably won’t matter. Find a degree from a school you like with a program that teaches modern computer science languages and programming that you can afford. Check out our book for more information: Essential Software Development Career + Technical Guide.
Harvard University: Dating back to 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the US. It’s a member of the Ivy League and regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Courses at Harvard are designed to be flexible. See book.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology. See book.
Stanford University: Stanford is a private research university located in Stanford, California. It is known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business. See book.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech is a private research university located in Pasadena, California. It is known for its strong programs in science and engineering. See book.
Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business.
Georgia Institute of Technology: Georgia Tech is a public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology.
Different levels of seniority can be Application Engineer, Senior Engineer, Staff Engineer/ Lead Engineer, Senior Staff Engineer/ Senior Lead Engineer. Some different areas of software development are Mobile Developer, Front end Developer, Back end Developer, Web Developer.
Software Architect: If we related this to buildings, this would be something like creating the blueprints. It is about understanding and describing how high-level software systems and technologies will work and perform together. Sometimes, this can be at a lower level of how components will operate together or how sets of components will work together. It can also go up to a level of how products or services will interact together throughout a company (Sometimes called Enterprise Architects). Software Engineering Manager: These are people who are the manager of Software Engineers. The manager doesn’t have to be someone from a computer science or engineering background if it often is for line managers.
Analyzing 2861 C# jobs in the New York metro area breaking down by education requirement: High School (28), Associate Degree (67), Bachelor or equivalent work (520 – extrapolated as 45% of those with Bachelor as a requirement), Bachelor (637 extrapolated as 55% of total Bachelors requirement), Masters (1540 *Data is wrong), and Doctorate (69).
What was shocking for me, at least, is that the job site showed 56% of the job market “seems to” prefer a master’s degree or higher. Note I this data is wrong – The first 15 jobs I checked ALL allowed for a Bachelors degree. So it would seem it’s more likely that the majority of the market would prefer a bachelors degree but about 45% of those indicate they would allow equivalent work experience alternatively.
With a BS degree, you have access to at least roughly 43% to possibly 99% of the job market (maybe more), which would definitely provide you the ability to find enough jobs in most times/markets. Without a BS degree you may have access to less than half of that market.
NOTE The chart for masters used the data the job site had for jobs requiring a masters. A quick analysis suggests that data is wrong and most jobs allow Bachelors degree.
Can you get a software engineering job without a Bachelor’s degree or higher? While it is possible you could be limiting your options. According to a stack overflow survey, only around 23% of professional developers did NOT have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Some companies that mention a bachelor’s degree will accept that or equivalent professional experience (3 – 5 Years) (An estimated 45% of software engineering jobs). So it is possible, though, if that percentage is accurate, the percentage of job availability to you may be lower than if you did get a degree. There are still plenty of people that do enter the field without one. Some people enter the field from different disciplines sometimes due to the nature of the work they ended up in, interest, or money.
Coding bootcamps have emerged as intensive, immersive programs designed to fast-track individuals into the world of coding. However, not all bootcamps are created equal. Researching and selecting reputable bootcamps with a track record of strong outcomes is crucial. Look for programs that boast high graduation rates, positive alumni reviews, and partnerships with industry leaders.
A reputable coding bootcamp not only provides a structured learning environment but also offers valuable networking opportunities. Consider factors such as curriculum, instructors’ expertise, and post-graduation support in your research. Look for bootcamps that align with your career goals and the specific skills sought by employers in the software development field.
One of the defining features of coding bootcamps is their emphasis on project-based learning. Instead of a theoretical approach, bootcamps immerse participants in real-world projects that mirror the challenges faced in professional settings. This hands-on experience is invaluable, allowing you to apply theoretical concepts in a practical context.
The intensity of bootcamps encourages rapid skill development, simulating the fast-paced nature of the tech industry. The projects undertaken during a bootcamp become key components of your portfolio, showcasing your abilities to potential employers. Embrace the challenges, collaborate with peers, and leverage the mentorship provided by experienced instructors to maximize your learning experience.
The digital era has democratized education, making high-quality courses accessible with an internet connection. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity host a plethora of courses covering a wide array of programming languages, frameworks, and software development methodologies.
These platforms collaborate with top universities and industry experts to deliver content that is both comprehensive and up-to-date. Explore courses tailored to your specific interests and career goals. Whether you’re delving into web development, machine learning, or software engineering fundamentals, these platforms provide a flexible and self-paced learning environment.
Perhaps your current work has some tasks that require development skills that you could take on. Find the tasks and ask about them if you think you can handle them, and your employer would either allow time for you to learn, or you can learn on the side and work on those tasks at a reasonable pace. Finding some existing job tasks you can do might be the easiest way to get some programming skills listed on your resume. Ideally, if possible, start small and work your way to larger projects.
(joke) Agile reminds me of an old movie called Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where people were replaced with aliens that looked just like them.
With Agile, programmers have now accepted not 1 meeting, not 2 meetings, but 13 meetings in two weeks! Like I said, it’s like the opposite alien took over. You have your sprint planning, grooming, reveal, and oh, let’s not forget the 10 scrum meetings.
Before Agile, developers hated being asked about their status. Of course, now, we have those 10 daily scrum meetings per sprint to solve that. I know, I know, they are not status meetings (wink). It’s like the opposite people are inhabiting your bodies.
What do programmers do all day? You know. Sit and code. And what do they ask you to do in Scrum? Stand up! Still don’t think opposite aliens have inhabited programmers yet? Still not enough evidence for you?
So if this is all made up, and it’s not alien body snatchers, why did people related to the Agile process have to say it’s friendly with the term the three amigos?
Essential Software Development Career + Technical GuideMore opposites. A lot of developers, let’s be honest, mostly just code and don’t have time for sports. So what they do is steal the rugby term “scrum.” There are more terms you have heard of, like “swarm,” which may be taken from lacrosse.
So we are comparing this idea of people who are not who they once were, like aliens. If aliens were to have thought up this concept, what terms might they use? Hmm . . . Velocity and Burn-Down might come to mind. Coincidence?
It’s almost like up doesn’t mean up, down doesn’t mean down . . . Oh wait, done doesn’t mean done. Now, you have to say, “Done done done.”
So you know if there were aliens, they would probably even play some alien games. You know, different from the rest of the human race. Oh, wait, you play Planning Poker. Hmm . . .
Still don’t believe it? These body snatchers have made you liars. What do little kids get told at bedtime? Of course, stories. I know what you are thinking. Stories have more than one meaning. They could be fiction or non-fiction. But of course, they go and estimate them in another word for lies: Fibs! So I know what they meant by stories.
Still don’t believe me? Lots of villains, some aliens, liked to be called this. For example, in Star Wars, what did Darth Vader call the emperor? That’s right, Master. And of course, we have Scrum Master in Agile. What does that make you?
You know, maybe it’s not body snatchers or clones. Maybe they can take over your mind with just a thought that could explain all of this.
This reminds me. Before Agile, most projects were late, and now, not so much. So maybe this whole body snatcher, clone, mind-control thing isn’t so bad.
If you are looking for where to get a bachelor of computer science degree, you found the right page. You don’t need a top-school university degree to get a computer science degree. The big names may make it a little easier to get your first job, but after that, it probably won’t matter. Find a degree from a school you like with a program that teaches modern computer science languages and programming that you can afford. Check out our book for more information: Essential Software Development Career + Technical Guide.
Harvard University: Dating back to 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the US. It’s a member of the Ivy League and regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Courses at Harvard are designed to be flexible. See book.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology. See book.
Stanford University: Stanford is a private research university located in Stanford, California. It is known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business. See book.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech is a private research university located in Pasadena, California. It is known for its strong programs in science and engineering. See book.
Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business.
Georgia Institute of Technology: Georgia Tech is a public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology.
University of California, Berkeley: UC Berkeley is a public research university located in Berkeley, California. It is known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business. See book.