A Guide to Being a Software Engineer 

What is software engineering? 

Software engineering is essentially a field of computer science that includes designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications such as the applications we use on our smartphones, computers, and more. Software engineers provide us with diverse software that can help in virtually every field! Software engineering is gaining more and more popularity in today’s times as our world moves towards digitization. 

Similar to law, software engineering does not require you to mandatorily opt for certain subjects in high school. However, subjects such as mathematics, computer science, and science are key in building a foundation based on which you can thrive as a software engineer as these subjects provide you with a basic understanding of subjects that will be taught in detail later on. In India, choosing the science stream in 11th and 12th grade is recommended as these subjects are taught in detail within this stream. In the US, it is recommended to pick electives that focus on the above mentioned subjects. Taking Advanced Placement (AP) tests in Computer Science, Calculus, and Statistics is also recommended. 

Undergraduate studies: 

In India, Bachelor of Technology programs offer majors and minors in software engineering. Most universities require you to have a science background (which means choosing the science stream in 11th and 12th) and a strong performance in national level entrance exams such as the JEE. Some universities may even require you to take a university entrance examination. B.Tech programs are 4 years long and include subjects such as Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures, Operating Systems, and Web Development. Electives may include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing. 

In the US, a Bachelor of  Science in Software Engineering program is recommended. This is a four year program with requirements such as strong performance in high school, specifically in science and mathematics, standardized test scores, along with possible letters of recommendations and personal essays.  The four year programs teach students Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures, Operating Systems, and Web Development and offer a wide range of electives in the field. 

Top Institutes for Undergraduate Studies in Software Engineering: 

India:

• Indian Institutes of Technology

• National Institutes of Technology 

• BITS Pilani 

• Indian Institutes of Information Technology 

US:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• California Institute of Technology

• Carnegie Mellon University 

• Stanford University 

If you plan to pursue a graduate degree in software engineering, it will allow you to specialize in a particular area of software development and engineering. Master of Technology programs in India are usually 2 years long and require you to hold a B.tech degree in software engineering or computer science, hold a good academic record, and score well in entrance examinations such as the GATE. Subjects taught in this program can include advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. 

In the US, Master of Science programs in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field require you to hold a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university, GRE scores (which might be optional for some programs), followed by personal essays and letters of recommendations. These programs can be anywhere between a year to 2 years long and can offer specialization in subjects such as machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, and more. 

Requirements for employment:

While a masters degree is not a necessary requirement for software engineering in the US or India, it can be beneficial for career advancement. A bachelors degree in computer science or software engineering, however, is non-negotiable. 

When you plan to apply for a job in software engineering, here are some skills that you must have in order to attain the job you are applying for:

• Programming languages 

• Software development methodologies 

• Knowledge of databases and data structures

•  Problem solving and critical analysis skills. 

Sources:

• https://www.guvi.in/blog/subject-to-choose-in-class-11th-for-software-development/

• https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/software-engineering-courses-after-12th-counar

• https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-become-a-software-engineer

• https://www.tmu.ac.in/blog/btech-in-computer-science-engineering-specialisations-and-advancement

• https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/m-tech/software-engineering.php

• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-introduction-to-software-engineering/

• https://collegedunia.com/usa/article/masters-in-software-engineering-in-usa

• https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/stem/how-to-become-a-software-engineer