Software engineers, often referred to as software developers, design innovative software for businesses and clients. From a personal banking app to a company’s project management workflow system, software engineers are behind many of the essential apps and programs that make business and daily life more efficient.

Companies rely on software engineers to create better online experiences for their employees and customers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for software engineers will grow by 24 percent between 2016 and 2026, adding as many as 302,500 new jobs.

Due to its reputation as one of the fastest-growing technology jobs today, software development was ranked as the #1 Best Technology Job in America for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report. Discover how much software developers make on average across the U.S. and what it takes to succeed in this high-demand field.

Interested in pursuing a career in this fast-growing field? Follow these five steps to become a software engineer:

1. Enroll in a software development program

The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. You don’t need to have a background in technology to pursue this degree path – most software development programs begin with foundational courses to help you learn common coding languages and basic programming skills, followed by more advanced courses to prepare you for entry-level roles in software development.

A bachelor’s degree is a requirement for most full-time software engineer positions. However, some students may choose to start out with an associate degree in software development. This path allows you to pursue entry-level information technology roles and gain experience as you work towards your bachelor’s degree.

2. Gain internship experience

Internships allow you to get hands-on experience in your field and put your skills and knowledge from class into practice. They are also great resume-builders and can be instrumental in helping you land your first job after college. Many aspiring software developers will complete an internship to position themselves for competitive entry-level software development jobs.

Working at a few different internships throughout your college career can also help you discover the types of companies you would like to work for after graduation. Software engineers can work in a variety of industries and business settings – such as healthcare, banking and marketing – so it’s important to explore which environment best suits your personal career interests.

3. Choose your specialty

Software engineers will typically specialize in computer applications software or computer systems software. Applications software includes word processors, games and other computer applications that allow users to perform a specific task. Computer systems software includes the computer operating systems, such as file management tools, system utilities and debuggers. The user does not typically interact with computer systems software.

A bachelor’s degree software development program will prepare you for roles in either specialty and your internship experiences can help you determine which path you are most interested in pursuing. Both specialties require creativity, as well as advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

4. Pursue industry certifications

A software development degree program will also prepare you to sit for industry certifications, such as the Oracle Certified Java Programmer or the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, which are valuable differentiators for entry-level candidates. Pursuing these certifications can help you advance your software development career and allow you to pursue roles with additional responsibility and specialization.

5. Continue your education

With experience, software engineers can advance to information technology project managers who oversee the software development process. A master’s degree may be required for advanced roles. Software engineers can pursue an MBA in Technology Management to develop the leadership and management skills necessary to advance their careers.

The job of a computer programmer is vitally important in today’s digital-focused economy, which is why the number of openings in this field continues to grow.

Programmers write code for computer programs and mobile applications. They also are involved in maintaining, debugging and troubleshooting systems and software to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Programming skills are essential for many technology disciplines, but are in especially high demand for software and web development roles. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web development jobs are projected to grow by as much as 15% over the 2016-2026 period, adding another 24,400 new jobs.

If you’re looking for an entry-level technology job with ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization, computer programming could be the right path for you.

What do computer programmers do?

On a typical day, a computer programmer can be involved in many different coding projects. Daily duties might include:

1. Writing and testing code for new programs. Computer programmers work closely with web and software developers to write code for new mobile applications or computer programs. In some cases, programmers might have a similar role to web designers, creating the look, feel and functionality of a new software program. Writing new code often involves a lot of trial and error. Computer programmers have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and enjoy using logic to solve complex problems.
2. Updating existing programs. Programmers also create and install updates for existing software programs. An update might include a bug fix, or enhanced functionality to improve the user experience. Depending on the complexity of the update, these projects can take anywhere from a few days to several months.
3. Identifying and correcting coding errors. On a daily basis, computer programmers might assist in troubleshooting parts of a website or computer program that are not functioning correctly. Often, problems are a result of an error in the code, and a programmer can help identify and correct the mistake quickly.
4. Rewriting programs for different operating systems. Often, programmers have to rewrite code in a different languages, so that programs and applications can be compatible with different operating systems. For example, Windows and OS X programs are coded differently. Some programmers are trained to write new applications in SaaS code, which works across both operating systems.
5. Secure programs against cybersecurity threats. Many computer programmers work in the cybersecurity field, helping to identify malicious software and fix software that could be vulnerable to potential hacks. Additionally, programmers can write code that prevents security breaches and data leaks. As the number and severity of cyber-attacks increases, demand for information security experts continues to rise. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment for information security analysts will increase by 28% through 2026, adding 28,500 new jobs.

How much do computer programmers make?

The median salary for computer programmers in 2018 was $84,280, with the highest-paid 10% earning more than $134,630, according to the BLS data. Keep in mind this is not an entry-level wage and you will need to work towards this level of pay after graduating with a degree and earning your first job. Discover the average computer programmer salary by state to determine a closer estimate in your region.

An entry-level career in computer programming offers upward mobility into more advanced and higher-paying roles. In fact, programming skills are the foundation for almost any top-ranked technology job today, such as: 

• Computer Systems Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Security Analyst
• Hardware Engineer
• Software Developer
• Web Designer

What are the benefits of a programming career?

Programming is a valuable skill set that may allow you to pursue opportunities in a variety of fields, including finance, healthcare, graphic design or digital marketing. Programming jobs are growing 12% faster than the average for all occupations, according to recent findings by job market research firm BurningGlass.

Many programmers also enjoy perks such as flexible hours and the option to work remotely, according to the BLS.

How do I become a computer programmer?

A bachelor’s degree in computer programming can prepare you for a broad range of entry-level programming positions. Herzing University’s computer programming bachelor degree program can be completed online in as little as 36 months and provides students with practical training in essential technology skills, such as:

• Advanced web development
• Object-oriented programming
• Software development and testing
• Mobile applications development 
• Data warehousing

Continued learning is important for programmers because coding languages are constantly changing and evolving. Many programming professionals will pursue additional certification in specific coding languages, such as C++ or JavaScript. Some technology companies might even have their own vendor-specific coding languages, and require their employees to become certified in those additional languages as well.

What are my opportunities for advancement?

Achieving a masters-level education in a specialized area such as technology management can help programmers advance into management and leadership roles, like IT manager or computer systems analyst. Herzing’s computer programming degree program offers a dual credit option, allowing students to earn up to 12 credits toward an MBA as an undergraduate, saving time and money on both degrees.

Learn more about our technology degree paths and find out how you can get started on your computer programming career today.

Writing is an important skill for many professions, and long-form writing assignments are just one way your classes can help prepare you for your career. In addition to testing your writing ability, writing assignments allow you to showcase your critical thinking, research and analysis skills, which are also important for your career development.

However, writing a research paper can be challenging if you aren’t a strong writer and don’t really enjoy it. Getting started can be the most difficult part, but it’s important not to procrastinate if you want to get the best grade possible.

Here are some tips for tackling college writing assignments:

1. Do your research

The foundation of any good college essay is research. Fortunately, we live in the information age where all the resources you need are just a few clicks away. In addition to using your course materials and conducting your own online research, you should also take advantage of your school library to find academic research on your topic. All Herzing students have free online access to dozens of databases where you can find scholarly journals, magazine and newspaper archives, books, transcripts, multimedia and more to help with your research.

Don’t be afraid to ask a librarian for help if you’re not sure where to start. Professors often work with librarians to curate resources for specific assignments and research projects, so there might already be a selection of texts set aside for you to look at. Librarians are also available via phone, email and chat for online students who need help navigating the databases.

As you conduct your research, it is very important to document all the resources that you use. If you are taking notes, be sure to write down the name of the source and the page number, as you will need to cite these in your paper later. Copying someone else’s words without citing them is considered plagiarism, which is definitely something you want to avoid!

2. Craft your argument

Most college essays will require you to develop an argument relating to your topic. As you conduct your research, start thinking about what approach you would like to take with your essay. Ask yourself: 

• What do I want my readers to learn from my paper?
• What do I want them to understand about my topic?

If you are really stuck, it might help to read other academic essays on the topic. NEVER copy these examples, but you can take notes on how the writer formed their argument, the tone they used, and the examples they cited to support their points. You can use this for inspiration on how to form your own paper without copying anything they have written. For example, maybe you disagree with a prominent author’s point of view on your subject. This can be the basis for your own argument, provided you have the examples you need to support your point.

3. Make a tentative outline

Staring at a blank word document is one of the universal banes of writing. It can be hard to get started if you don’t have a clear direction for your paper in mind. That’s why you should create an outline. Outlines help you develop a logical, coherent structure for your paper, making it easier to translate your ideas into words and sentences. Here’s an example of an outline you might write if your essay is about self-driving vehicles:

• Reasons why self-driving cars are a good idea
• Reasons why some people may be against self-driving cars
• Technological challenges to overcome before widespread use
• Advances that have already been made
• Why this is an important part of the future of transportation

You’ll notice that this outline is simple. You can make your outline as detailed as you want, but it helps to define the general framework for your argument first. For more tips on writing the perfect outline, check out this blog post.

4. Just write!

Once you type out your outline, it’s time to start writing. Fill in information in the form of paragraphs for each of your bullet points. You might find that you still need to do some research, or you might decide that you don’t need one of your points after all. That’s fine, and you should free to change your outline as you go.

Even with an outline, it can be very difficult to begin actually writing. You might be asking yourself:

• How should I write this?
• What tone should I use?
• Is this language okay?

However, hovering over these questions too long can hamper your creative process. The best thing to do is just start writing. Don’t worry about how good or bad it is, as you can always revise later. Getting the basic flow of your argument down is most important.

5. Write an introduction and conclusion

Some people like to start by writing the introduction, but others prefer to save it for the end, especially because your argument can evolve as you write. Introductions are a vital part of an essay, and they should do more than give a brief overview of the paper. You want to create a strong hook for your reader so they want to keep going.

Example Hook: “Even though there are still some major manufacturing challenges to overcome, self-driving cars will become a vital source of transportation in the next 20 years.”

This introduction makes it clear that we will discuss some of the issues with self-driving cars and the arguments against them, but also provide solid reasoning for why they are part of the future of transportation. In the conclusion, you can reiterate those points to explain the reasoning for your argument, as well as why it is important to discuss this topic. Check out this blog post for more tips on writing a strong introduction.

6. Revise

No matter how good of a writer you are, you need to edit and proof your work. Make sure you leave yourself enough time for revisions, too. It’s a good idea to try to have your first draft done at least a week in advance so that you can make any necessary edits before the paper is due.

If writing is not one of your strengths, consider setting up an appointment with a Writing Center tutor to revise your first draft. Your tutor can help you identify and fix any logical or structural problems, as well as common spelling and grammar mistakes that could affect your grade.

Once all of this is done, congrats! You’ve officially written a college paper. Be sure to review your teacher’s critiques when you receive your grade, as they will help you perform better on future assignments. If you need additional help or want to focus on developing your writing skills over time, reach out to the Writing Center to set up a regular appointment.