Software Engineer Related Career Paths

Not only does the field of software engineering include many different types of jobs, but there is also a wide range of different career paths related to this field. Software engineering skills and experience can allow you to pivot into a variety of careers in many different types of industries. This article discusses some of the career options that you might have if you’re looking for something related to software engineering.

What is a Software Engineer?

A Software Engineer is a computer science professional. This is a job field that combines engineering and computer programming and involves designing, building, testing, and maintaining a variety of different types of software. The types of software that Software Engineers work on include computer programs, web and mobile applications, video games, operating systems, and network control systems. Coding is an important part of this job, however, Software Engineers also need to master many other skills including testing and debugging, object-oriented programming, and working with data structures and algorithms. Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills are also required for success in this field.

The term, “software engineering” was coined in the 1960s. Since then, this profession has grown rapidly and Software Engineers are sought after in many industries. The world continues to rely more and more heavily on software. A large, and growing, number of devices that people utilize every day are controlled by the software that is created and maintained by Software Engineers. This includes cell phones, computers and network systems, and smart appliances like ovens and laundry machines. Software Engineers also play an important role in creating and running the computer systems that are integral to many parts of daily life, in fields like business, communications, and education.

Related Career Paths

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. This field involves math, statistics, and computer programming. It pays well, and there is a high level of demand for skilled professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that collects and analyzes information about the U.S. labor market. It predicts that between 2022 and 2032, data science jobs will grow by 35 percent, which is significantly faster than the average U.S. job growth rate of only 3 percent. According to BLS, a primary reason for this rapid growth is that more and more businesses are making decisions based on data. It explains, “The volume of data available and the potential uses for that data will increase over the projections decade. As a result, organizations will likely need more data scientists to mine and analyze the large amounts of information and data collected.” According to BLS, the median pay for a Data Scientist is about $108,000 per year. The national average for all jobs is about $48,000.

The World Data Science Initiative reports that there is an enormous level of demand worldwide for skilled Data Scientists. It explains that many organizations are finding that they need to deal with more and more data, and maintains that there are not enough skilled Data Scientists to meet this need. It says, “Finding an equipped talent in the data science domain is tough. People adept at understanding and using data to drive business benefits are a rare gem to find. The demand for data analysts and scientists is like gushing water that is unstoppable and the supply is like a trickle.” The organization predicts that this trend will continue. It says, “The data science market size is expected to grow from USD 95.3.9 billion in 2021 to USD 322.9 billion by 2026.”

Web Developer

Web Developers create, test, and maintain websites and web applications. This field includes coding, design, testing, and security. While Web Designers are focused on the aesthetics and user experience of a site, Web Developers are more focused on functionality. There are multiple types of web development. Front End Developers specialize in front end development, which involves the parts of a website or application that users see and interact with. Back End Developers work on the back end of the site, which includes elements like security, storage, and architecture, which are critical to function but which users do not see. A Full Stack Developer is skilled in both front end and back end development. Another popular web development specialization is that of Mobile Developer. A Mobile Developer develops mobile apps for smartphones and other mobile devices.

Job statistics show that most web development jobs pay well and that this field is likely to experience strong job growth in the future. According to the BLS, between 2022 and 2032, web development jobs will increase by 17 percent. In addition, the agency reports that the median pay for a Web Developer is about $78,000. BLS explains that growth in web development jobs is being driven by consumer demand and that this will continue in the future. It explains, “Employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow as ecommerce continues to expand. As retail firms keep increasing their online offerings, demand for these workers is expected to grow.” In addition, BLS says that the increasing use of mobile devices is driving growth in this field. It explains, “In addition, the continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes.” U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Web Developer at number five on its list of Best Technology Jobs.

Machine Learning Engineer

The job of Machine Learning Engineer is a role that combines aspects of software engineering and data science. Machine Learning Engineers design computer learning models for computers. With these models, computers are able to take certain actions without being specifically told to. 

A Machine Learning Engineer typically earns between $119,000 and $161,000 yearly. BLS includes Machine Learning Engineers in the category of Computer and Information Research Scientists, and predicts 23 percent job growth over the next ten years.

Product Designer

Product Designers design and create products. They often use engineering software to help them design and develop products. They typically also need graphic design skills and expertise in UI and UX design. Product Designers can work on many different types of products, both physical and digital. Some of the responsibilities included in this job may be: designing products, creating mockups and prototypes, working with a team to create products, and conducting testing. The average salary for a Product Designer is between $93,000 and $114,000 yearly.

Software Trainer

Software Trainers teach students of all ages and backgrounds how to use different types of software. To be a Software Trainer, you’ll need to be fluent in the software that you plan to teach, and you’ll also need teaching skills. Some Software Trainers also have certifications. This job typically includes creating training material, lecturing and demonstrating, answering questions, and assessing students’ progress. Software Trainers may work in a classroom, travel to a business or school, or teach virtually. Glassdoor reports that the average salary for a Software Trainer in the United States is $89,000.

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers design and create video games for computers, gaming systems, and other devices. To do this job, you’ll need to know a number of coding languages including C and C++, and you’ll need an understanding of game development platforms like Unity. Some of the different things a Video Game Designer might do include developing game concepts, creating a storyline, creating game rules, building characters and environments, and testing and debugging. Glassdoor reports an average salary of about $87,000 for this position. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, which analyzes current growth in this market and makes projections for 2023 to 2030, the video game market is growing rapidly and will continue to do so in the future. It explains, “The market's expansion is attributed to the ongoing trend of online gaming, the emergence of high bandwidth network connectivity, and the continuous demand for 3D games. In addition, an upsurge in the penetration of smartphones has made video games more accessible, portable, and social. This has further driven the industry growth with the emergence of technologically advanced and more powerful smartphones.”

How to Decide Which Career is Right for You

Software engineering and related fields include many different careers, and it can be difficult to make a decision about which path to follow. If you’re trying to decide which career is right for you, it's important to get a thorough understanding of what each potential career involves, and assess how your own skills will match that career or how you can gain the skills you need. It’s also a good idea to get a good understanding of the current and future job market for that career. You can learn some of these things by conducting your own research, and also by talking to as many industry professionals as possible. A formal software engineering class is also a great way to learn about potential careers.

In a LinkedIn article titled, “What Should You Know Before Choosing a Software Engineering Career Path?” the authors point out that this field can be fulfilling, but it is not necessarily an easy path. They state, “Software engineering is an ever-evolving field that offers many career opportunities and challenges. It is a high-demand profession with competitive salaries. . . . Software engineers must keep up with the latest trends, technologies and best practices, as well as be willing to learn new skills and tools. This career path also brings with it the challenge of balancing work and personal life, as well as avoiding burnout and fatigue.” Overall, they insist that before you commit to any job related to software engineering, you should make sure you have a good understanding of what will be involved.

Learn the Skills to Become a Software Engineer at Noble Desktop

If you want to learn the skills you’ll need to become a Software Engineer, you’ll find a variety of class options at Noble Desktop. This New York City-based design and coding school offers both in-person and live online courses. It also has a variety of flexible scheduling options including part-time programs and courses that run on weeknights and weekends. All Noble Desktop classes come with the option of a free retake within one year, which is a great way to refresh your skills and gain additional practice. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

• One popular Noble option is the Software Engineering Certificate. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. The program also covers JavaScript, and the JavaScript library, React. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, and you’ll also create a portfolio.

• Noble Desktop also offers shorter classes that only take a day or two to complete and focus on a more narrow set of skills. For instance, if you’re looking for a class where you can improve your coding skills, Noble offers a short beginner class called Web Development with HTML & CSS, where you can learn to create webpages by coding with HTML and CSS. In this class, you’ll learn to use HTML to create webpages that have text and images. You’ll also learn to use CSS for styling content, creating centered page layouts, adding background images, style navigation, and for making responsive pages that adapt to various screen sizes. If you already know the basics of HTML and CSS, you might be more interested in Noble’s Advanced HTML and CSS class. This class covers a variety of advanced topics including SVG, CSS variables, gradients, shadows, positioning, transitions, transforms, and responsive images.

Noble Desktop also offers many bootcamps. For instance, there is a React Development Bootcamp, where you’ll learn how to build web applications with React. This course begins by covering basics including how to compose components. Throughout the course, you’ll build a number of web applications. You’ll also deploy them using Amazon Web Services. Another Bootcamp option is Python Web Development with Django, which covers URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django.