SOFTWARE DEVELOPER REQUIRED SKILLS

Software developer required skills

Software engineering is one of the most sought-out careers which stands as a top list most demanded tech job. I would like to quickly correct the generalized notion that you can’t become a software engineer without a certificate. That is a myth and remains a myth.

It doesn’t matter if you are a newbie in the workspace or if you’re dealing with a job you dislike. What matters is that you’re able, willing, and ever ready to kick off your passion for software engineering. It is totally within your grasp so far you are willing to be dogged about it. How that is possible? We would get to know.

We provide 10 clarity guides that will show you how to become a

WHO IS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER?

A software engineer, sometimes abbreviated SWE is a person who applies the principles of software engineering to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of computer software.

A software engineer” and a “software developer” are the same thing. They are pretty used interchangeably and are widely accepted as the same thing in companies. You should note that using both terms when applying for a job gives you high leverage of getting the job.

Before getting started, understand that the following steps are specific for those looking for a full-time job (I abbreviate as FTJ) as a software engineer, not freelancers, business mindset mongers, confused persons, or part-time tech personnel.

Now, let’s dive into the 11 steps of how to become a software engineer.

1) HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO:

Software engineering is a day job. You need to be ever ready and willing to be drilled. You need to align your vision with the roadblocks ahead, only looking forward to the end goal. This helps you to get up after a hitch, and move on.

A crystal-clear understanding can be viewed like;
I want to work as a software developer at an established tech company, a leading industry I adore. I am willing to work with teams learning, unlearning, and relearning all that needs to. My effort will equate and surpass my pay because I am bringing excellence to the table.

With clear points of view like this, it will only drive you forward, and not backward when the drill gets tough.

2) DECIDE ON WHICH SOFTWARE ENGINEERING LANGUAGE TO LEARN:

Sincerely, deciding on a language to learn is a difficult one because of the various language options scattered everywhere. Many tend to get stocked especially the newbies who really don’t have an idea about software engineering. Some options like Ruby on Rails, Python and Django, MEAN stack.

To help you here, you have to be willing to learn a language so well, and then you transition to others with time. This implies that in becoming a software engineer, you focus on understanding the basics. In other words, learning how to learn.

Having such a foundation will support the statement of Avi Flombaum “The most important aspect of it is that you’re learning how to think like a developer.”

Many claim that Ruby is an excellent way to go because of its readability, flexibility and, efficiency, making it much easier to get comfortable with than some other languages. Companies like Airbnb, GitHub, Hulu, Kickstarter use Ruby.

3: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT:

This statement is an overlooked but weighty one, which if applied, does a great deal in software engineering. It implies dedicating some real-time practicing your skills. It could be making a timetable that fits with your every day, every week.

Take a look at the general saying that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. To become a software engineer, you need a dedicated more than 10,000 hours to your work.

To give one example, the Computer Science Essentials for Software Development curriculum on edX takes about 4 months (7-9 hours per week) to make it through.

4) GO FOR SOLID TOOLS:

Don’t go around checking minor, ineffective tools but rather use solid tools that are used by professionals. When learning how to code, use tools real developers use. Free resources are cool but most times lack capacity. However, in the real world, you’re not going to be working like this. So, what you want to do from the beginning is to build how real engineers build. You want to use the tools that they use. Down the road, this will make it much easier to transition into a full-time role.

Though it’s hard to build and use tools that real devs use but programs have been provided to teach on the tool’s usage and process. One of such is Version Control with Git, an online course through Coursera.

The Ultimate Git Mastery Course by Code with Mosh, which is taught by a software engineer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Others include;

Git/GitHub
The command-line interface
Bitbucket

Having this in your bucket list will simply help you adapt to the challenges in the real job.

 

5) STUDY THE CODES OF OTHER SOFTWARE ENGINEERS:

Another important aspect of becoming a software engineer is learning how to read other people’s code. This can be achieved by browsing through GitHub repositories and looking through documentation. This

attitude will give you an understanding of what’s going on and how a program is working. Most times, it helps in debugging too.

Be sure not to just scan through. You should delve into in-depth knowledge mapping out the functionality, and finally, recreate it if you can. By this method, you tend to become perfect.

6) JOIN A TECH COMMUNITY:

It’s something unexplainable being surrounded by like minds. These people tend to bring out the very best in you. They serve as your backbone. But even at this, there are still pessimistic communities that do nothing more than making you feel less. A very good and optimist community is Launch School, an online school for software engineers, which helps you gain access to a community forum, The students share studying tips, create study groups, help each other with projects. You’ll also get access to their Slack chatroom, where students and staff hangout throughout the day. Not to mention, a monthly meetup-style webinar series called “Tech Talks.”

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Another is Zero to Mastery with over 150,000 students, alumni, TAs, mentors, and instructors registered to their Discord server, they have plenty of opportunities to network and find the support you need while you study!

7)  BUILD CODING PROJECTS

What’s the use of stacking up your ideas without actually using those skills. To become your best, you need to rigorously build. Build like your life depends on it. Don’t just manually get involved in code tutorials, practically get involved in them too. Solve problems personally or with a group.

Mammoth Interactive’s Hello Coding is one good forum that helps you achieve this. They get you involved in numerous projects which serve as proof of your learning. And they’re not just boring “fill in the blanks” projects: they include a Flappy Bird game clone, 3D ping pong game, weather app for iOS, and a finance calculator app for the web.

Team Treehouse’s Techdegree is also a perfect example where you’ll build 9-12 real-world projects that give you the chance to practice what you’ve learned, including a basketball stats tool, number guessing game, store inventory app, and more.

In all of these forums, professionals collate the results, review, and transparently grade according to deserved. More to that is the fact that they help you stay on track to perfection. Your built projects could be put out in your curriculum vitae. This gives you great leverage.

8) CULTIVATE PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING:

You should cultivate the habit of professionally networking with people in your field. This gives you the leverage of getting to meet individuals that will take you to the next level.

Some ways to Network includes:
Volunteering
Attending Events
Leverage on social media
Go to meetups
Speak at events
Engage and contribute your quota to tech communities
Create a LinkedIn page

9) LOOK OUT AND GET SET FOR OPPORTUNITIES:

While networking, you should prepare yourself for opportunities too. You could achieve this by practicing for interview sessions, writing cover letters, preparing your resumes, leveraging social media

It’s not enough to build yourself as a brand, you need to sustain your personal brand. Try not to impress but leave an indelible mark in hearts.

10) LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR JOB INTERVIEWS:

Finally, you’re turning your dreams to realities by applying for jobs. You need to remain optimistic when doing this. A helpful resource to consult is the book ‘Cracking the Coding Interview’ and ‘Learn to Code With Me’s, an in-depth technical interview guide.

Some interviews are done virtually or through a phone before a physical interview is done. Some questions being asked are;
Strength and weakness
Build a project
Show us previous projects
Skills

Take a sneak peek at the following sites;

Interview Cake helps you prep for technical interviews

AlgoExpert online platform helps you prep for coding interviews, with 85+ hand-picked questions (in 7 different languages) and 55+ hours of video explanations.

Byte by Byte, with practice coding interview questions, behavioral interview advice, and everything else you need to ace your coding interview.

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11) LAUNCH YOUR CAREER AS A DEVELOPER:

Congratulations! You’ve come to this point. You deserve to celebrate your great feat. Take up that job, whether with big or small pay. These are just the beginnings. You have to start somewhere! Be sure to check out our 5 salary negotiation tips for software engineers.

As you continue to learn and grow as a developer, you’ll continue to climb the career ladder to bigger and better positions.

IS BECOMING A SOFTWARE ENGINEER SIMPLE?
Not to beat around the bush, but sincerely becoming a software engineer is no way easy. I guarantee your wanting to give up at irking moments. The good news is that it is absolutely doable.

And you can probably even achieve it all on your own, through self-teaching and networking. Many people have successfully transitioned into software development this way.

Kudos to you!

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