Build Your Career as a Software Engineer With These Tips
Today, software engineers are in high demand and unemployment in the field is around one percent. That’s great news for engineers because it means employers are pulling out all the stops to attract top talent. If you are a software engineer, however, don’t assume that employers will bang down your door or drop promotions into your lap. You must take ownership of your career if you want to advance and grow. Use these tips to build your career as a software engineer.
Build Necessary and In-Demand Skills
Typically, software engineers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or information technology. Those degrees are important, but you will want to highlight skills in specific languages including Python, Java, and C++. Some of the fastest-growing skills for software engineers include Flutter, Android design, NUXT.JS, angular material, and continuous integration and development.
Get Involved With Open Source
Getting active with the open-source community is a great way to build skills and your portfolio. The GitHub Open Source community is one of the most active for engineers. Here, you can start your project or add to other people’s projects. You can network, learn new things and test new skills. Whether you are just starting as an engineer or you are a seasoned veteran, Open Source can be a valuable career asset.
Understand The Best Tools For Each Job
There are an endless array of tools for software engineers and the options can be overwhelming. However, you want to make sure that you can choose the best tools for each job. Just because a tool exists does not mean it’s worth deploying. Always ask:
- How difficult is the tool to configure?
- How will the tool ultimately impact performance?
- Is the tool currently actively maintained?
- Does the tool have a community of developers online that you can tap for advice?
- Can we solve the problem or complete the task without the tool?
Learn Design
When you are building user-facing applications, it’s important to be able to incorporate good design. You do not have to become an expert designer, but you should have a solid grasp of UX design. When you understand the reasoning behind UI principles, it will positively impact your applications.
Get A Mentor
Mentors are not necessary for building a software engineering career, but they are an asset. A mentor is someone whose career you admire and want to emulate, who can offer you both technical and career advice and who can help you make connections in the industry.
It is important to remember that mentoring relationships are two-way streets. Don’t expect your mentor to do all of the work. You must take responsibility for your growth and development, respect their time, receive feedback, give feedback, and come to every meeting prepared.
Are You Ready For A New Software Engineering Job?
If you are a tech pro looking for new software engineering job opportunities, we invite you to contact the expert recruiters at PEAK Technical Consulting today. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
