Youth Incorporated Magazine

Just how the hardware in a computer is simply a clump of plastic, silicon and metal without the software, similarly, the computer world is incomplete without the Software engineering. Software engineering combines programming with business and management. It is used in different areas such as the internet, mobile devices, and desktop computers.

EDUCATION

This scientific and technically-driven field requires special training and formal degrees. A student can start by opting for the science stream in his/her junior college. 

• BACHELOR’S DEGREE (FOUR YEARS).

Followed by a good percentage in the science stream, the student should choose a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Bachelor’s degree will introduce him/her to a broader curriculum, one that provides a foundation in mathematics and computer science.

Nowadays, small term degree courses are also available to help students finish their minimum education requirement in less time. Two of them are- an Associate Degree of two years and a Coding Bootcamp for 8 to 12 weeks. Although employers typically prefer candidates with a four-year degree, both these courses can open the door to similar entry-level jobs in the field. Students will be given choices to pursue majors in several related areas, such as software engineering technology or software systems engineering.

• MASTER’S DEGREE (TWO YEARS)

To gain more opportunities in work, a student would be required to do a two-year Master’s degree in software engineering. Master’s degrees are usually designed keeping in mind the students who work full time. Apart from providing additional knowledge of the software engineering field, the degree also offers education in management and leadership.

Some enthusiastic students can go on to do PhD programs in software engineering. It is a four-year program that focuses purely on real-time research, robotics and software security. Moreover, PhD will come handy when planning to become a teaching faculty at colleges or universities.

Top 5 Universities in India that offer a degree in Software Engineering –

1. Indian Institute of Technology

2. National Institute of Technology

3. Manipal Institute of technology

4. BIT Mesra

5. KIIT

Top 5 Universities Abroad that offer a degree in Software Engineering –

 1. University of Oxford

2. ETH Zurich

3. Stanford University

4. University of Cambridge

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

CAREER GUIDANCE

After getting a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, graduates are open for working in several fields such as creating video games, developing internet applications, running computer networks or implementing computer security measures for an organization. Students can also expand their Industry specific skills such as Java, XML or SQL and Non-technical skills such as creative thinking and problem-solving. C++ Certification will be another added skill in the list.

JOB PROSPECTS

The scope of software engineering is spreading out to almost every field on the list. But some factors like the rise of information technology, the emergence of mobile phones as well as social media and the need for technological solutions for markets is resulting in a growing need for software engineers.

Many financial service agencies are aiming to provide more effective technology-driven services to clients while healthcare organisations are seeking better software solutions to improve patient care. Other markets are also emerging and creating job opportunities that offer a high salary for software engineering.

Few examples of occupations in Software Engineering are – Business Information Analyst, Web Developer, Help Desk Support, Computer System Analysts, Information Security Analyst, Database Administrator, Mobile Application Developer and Quality Assurance Developer.