Are Software Engineering Classes Worth It?

Top-quality tech training can be expensive, but it is a good investment. Software engineering jobs are well-paid and in high demand. The skills you will learn in a software engineering class can be the first step on a new career path. 

What Can You Do with Software Engineering?

Software Engineers create software for computers using programming languages, math, computer science theory, and engineering techniques. They work in almost every industry, from retail to medicine, and can enjoy onsite and remote work opportunities. They usually work full-time, but they can also find lucrative freelance work. When working full-time, they often collaborate with a team that is made up of Designers, UX and UI professionals, management teams, sales teams, and Developers.

Software Engineers work in a deadline-driven environment. Sometimes they work on one aspect of a project, the whole project from start to finish, or multitask by working on pieces of multiple projects at once. They usually work about 40 hours per week but sometimes work overtime during code sprints. Software Engineers perform a variety of tasks on a daily basis, including coding, researching the best technology to use for a project, creating prototypes, finding and resolving bugs, conducting A/B testing, collaborating with teammates, or working through a code sprint.

Software engineering skills can open up opportunities in a variety of industries, such as tech, retail, government, education, marketing, media, transportation, healthcare, and finance. In the United States, salaries for these positions typically pay an average of $110,000 a year.

Advantages of Taking a Software Engineering Class

Software Engineers must be fluent in multiple coding languages and proficient using frameworks, libraries, and developer tools. They usually specialize by learning a few languages or a specific stack. Despite specializing, Software Engineers must possess the ability to learn a new language when required and should be comfortable with using relevant popular coding languages. Depending on their employer, they might need to know Java, Ruby, Python, C#, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or C++.

Software Engineers might use tools like JavaScript Frameworks, Python Libraries, and integrated development environments (IDEs). They will also need to know the basics of computer science techniques like Agile and Scrum, popular operating systems, web services, APIs, and software testing.

Soft skills such as problem-solving, strategic planning, logical reasoning, process analysis, and communication will be practiced in the Software Engineer position. While the Software Engineer doesn’t always work on a team, they need to communicate ideas, plans, and tasks to other team members, colleagues, and clients.

What to Look for in a Software Engineering Class

When you have decided to sign up for a software engineering class, ask yourself some questions to decide what you want in a course. Are you a beginner or do you have some experience with coding? What kind of schedule are you looking for? What is your budget? Does the program offer career coaching? Don't forget to check out ratings and reviews.

Comprehensive Curriculum

The first thing you should look for when evaluating your bootcamp options is a broad-based education that covers all the skills needed to succeed in software engineering. If your goal is to become a Software Engineer, then the bootcamp you enroll in should provide in-depth instruction on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript development with Node, Express and MongoDB. You will also need to learn Python and its programming libraries and React.

Convenient Schedule

Consider how much time you have in your schedule to attend a class and study. If you are taking a course to change careers, a full-time schedule will get you started in software engineering more quickly. If you simply want to get some coding experience for your own projects, a part-time schedule might be a better fit.

Make sure classes are offered at convenient times. If you are already working full-time, have a family, or are a high school or college student, you will need to work around your other commitments. If you can't find an in-person class that fits your schedule, consider an online option. You can attend class from anywhere and don't have to spend time commuting. 

Cost

Cost is another consideration when you are deciding what class to sign up for. Bootcamp classes are shorter and usually cost less than certificate courses. For example, Noble Desktop's React Development Bootcamp class costs $2,995 for the 72-hour class, while a 20-week Software Engineering Certificate course costs $10,995. 

Check to see if the training program offers any kind of financial assistance. Some schools allow you to make payments or offer loans, and bootcamp classes are often offered at a discount if you sign up for a certificate course. Take a look at your budget and choose a class that works for you.

Another thing to look at is the program's policies on missed classes and retakes. Some schools offer students class recordings so they can catch up on classes they miss. Another plus is the option to retake classes for free to review concepts when preparing for job applications.

Career Help

If your goal is a new career as a Software Engineer, you will want to check to see if the training program offers any kind of career help or mentoring. Some schools help students create digital portfolios from class assignments, including portfolio review, resume polishing, and job search coaching. 

Ratings and Reviews

Ratings and reviews can give you an idea of what other students thought of the course. While each review is based on the reviewer's personal experience, if you read a collection of responses from graduates and current students, you should get an idea of what the course is like.

Is it Worth Enrolling in a Software Engineering Class?

Whether you want to learn software engineering to create your own digital products or to start a new career, signing up for a class can give you the skills you need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developer jobs are expected to grow by 16% over the next decade, a rate that is more than double the national average. 

Software Engineers in the U.S. make about $110,000 a year. People with software engineering skills can also work as Full Stack Developers, who focus on building website applications and earn about the same amount.

Learn Software Engineering with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop's Software Engineering Certificate can give you the skills you need to start a new career in the software development industry. This program is divided into four sections: front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. In this program, you will learn the most pivotal skills needed to secure a career in software and web development. The assignments in the course are designed to help you create a portfolio of projects, and the course also includes interview preparation, practice responding to common interview questions, how to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile, and tips for applying to jobs. 

Noble's Full Stack Web Development Certificate covers developing every aspect of a digital application or webpage. You’ll learn how to program the visual appearance of a web application (the front end) and the infrastructure that allows it to function (the back end) to create complete webpages. In this course, you’ll learn how to use programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript to program memorable, interactive webpages. You’ll also use the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to add databases, APIs, AWS and other server environments, and interactivity for those web applications. The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate provides students with a robust programming education that can help them break into the in-demand world of web development, software engineering, and computer science.

This is a project-oriented course that teaches students how to code a website from scratch. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a portfolio of working web applications that you can take with you onto the job market. This course also includes portfolio and job search help. You can also attend Noble's SQL and WordPress Bootcamps for free as part of this certificate course.

If you prefer, you can take these Noble classes included in the certificates one at a time. Web Development with HTML & CSS covers building websites with HTML & CSS; creating multi-page websites with text, images, and graphics; styling with CSS; and uploading files using FTP. 

Advanced HTML & CSS includes important CSS concepts like positioning, advanced selectors, and relative type sizing. You will also learn to work with multiple background images, transparent color using RGBA, CSS gradients, and shadows. The course also covers creating animated effects with CSS transitions and transforms.

Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap covers laying out and aligning website content with CSS Flexbox. Learn CSS Grid to layout websites and Bootstrap to build layouts quickly.

JavaScript for Front End teaches you to make dynamic and engaging websites with JavaScript and GreenSock. Learn the basics of JavaScript and how to use free pre-made JavaScripts to add functionality. Create animated slideshows and build animated image enlargers.

Noble's Python Programming Bootcamp covers built-in data types and their behavior and Control Flow Statements, the programming essentials used across many languages. You’ll also learn how to professionally structure your programs and solve real-world challenges by creating objects in Object-Oriented Programming. In addition to covering these core programming concepts, we’ll also discuss the most common coding interview questions and demonstrate the best programming practices used by professionals. Throughout this course, you’ll practice these new skills by working on programming exercises with instructor guidance. By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects and code samples on GitHub to show to employers.