How to Transition to a Software Engineering Career

Individuals may want to transition into a software engineering career for a variety of reasons. Aside from increased salary and benefits, software engineers are often at the forefront of solving digital challenges. It may be difficult, however, for individuals already on a different career path to know where to begin.  

In this article, we break down key considerations and steps to transition to a software engineering career.  

Key Considerations

Before anyone jumps into software engineering, they should confirm that it’s the right change for them. Software engineering is unique in many aspects and is accompanied by its own set of challenges.  

Below, we cover a few aspects of software engineering to consider before switching careers. 

• Constant Learning: A software engineering career often means constantly learning new techniques and methodologies. Because technology is rapidly evolving, those who manage it must often keep pace with important updates. Software engineers should thus be individuals who are comfortable with continually updating their skillset.  

• Tech Inclination: Software engineers work with technology on a daily basis. While it’s certainly not a requirement to have always been good with tech, it is helpful to feel comfortable around it. Individuals can always develop this comfortability alongside their skillset, so don’t worry if software engineering currently sounds daunting. 

• Problem Solving: Much of a software engineer’s time may be spent trying to figure out unique challenges. This often means approaching problems from new angles to fix errors in code or a piece of technology. If you’re looking for a career which challenges your problem-solving skills, software engineering could be for you.  

How to Transition to a Software Engineering Career

Unlike many career shifts, a transition to software engineering does not require a college degree. Often, it simply requires learning the field and an adeptness at coding.  

Here are a few actionable steps to facilitate the transition to software engineering: 

1. Learn the Material

The first step to becoming a software engineer is to learn the field. This often means learning important coding languages and how to use them with regard to specific tasks. For example, learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be tremendously important for landing a job in web development. Other coding languages serve different purposes so actively research which language would be best to learn for a specific field. 

While individuals can learn on their own, we recommend that they utilize a training partner or online resources to gain the right skills and search for a job. 

2. Practice Coding

It’s one thing to learn a coding language and another to know how to use it in various scenarios. While learning the language and before any interview, practice dealing with various challenges. This will ensure that you can tackle any sort of practical interview and hit the ground running on your first day. It also bolsters an ability to deal with coding challenges, even if the specific issue is new.  

3. Enhance Your Soft Skills

A software engineering career is not entirely individualistic. Software engineers often collaborate and work in teams to tackle larger problems. This means that individuals need to possess certain soft skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication to succeed at most companies. Be aware that those with soft skills are able to differentiate themselves from other candidates with just technical skills.  

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, software engineering can be a rewarding career path. Be sure, however, that it’s right for you before switching because it requires a high level of effort and interest to become successful. When you’re ready to find your next software engineering role, consider joining BCTG’s network of IT professionals here. 

Contributions from Jake Park-Walters