How to become a software engineer? Software engineers create and test software programs. The dynamic, engaging career path offers six-figure salaries and high employability.

The tech field is evolving, offering new opportunities for software engineers. Today's software engineers specialize in cutting-edge tech like cloud computing platforms, virtual reality, and gaming. Companies in diverse industries turn to software engineers to solve problems and improve operations.

Becoming a software engineer requires strong technical skills. Many software engineers hold a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering. These professionals are valued for their skills and education: The median software engineer salary exceeded $110,000 in 2020.

This guide shows the path to software engineering, from educational options to landing a job.

What do software engineers do?

Software engineers develop, design, and test software applications. They apply engineering principles to the process of building software.

Using programming languages like C++, Java, and Python, they design software for computer applications, mobile apps, cloud platforms, and web applications. They work closely with other tech professionals -- particularly software developers, programmers, and quality assurance specialists -- to make sure programs run smoothly.

A software engineer's responsibilities often include:

Planning the process and approach to creating software

Designing models that show the various parts of programs

Testing software to identify and correct errors

Working with a team of software developers and testers

Software engineers typically work full-time. The largest employers of software engineers and developers include computer systems design companies, software publishers, and manufacturing organizations.

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