How Difficult is it to Learn Software Engineering?

Do you want to pursue a software engineering career but worry about the difficulty in learning the necessary skills to break into the field? If you go to any internet forum, you will see questions about how hard it is to learn software engineering and an array of answers. 

The difficulty that comes with learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. The challenges of learning software engineering depend on prior experience, learning format, and level of commitment to learning.

No matter your current schedule or comfort level with software engineering, plenty of tools exist to help make learning more accessible than you might think.

What is Software Engineering?

Software Engineering is an engineering branch focused on designing, developing, and testing new technologies to solve real-world problems. Software Engineers bring comprehensive knowledge of programming, design, and engineering principles to build software. These computer science professionals can create web applications, mobile applications, video games, robots, operating systems, and network systems that we use daily! 

Software engineering is a collaborative and broad field. The design and development of software solutions will require you to work with other technical and non-technical professionals. These can include engineers, developers, scientists, designers, and other creative and technical professionals. Additionally, Software Engineers can specialize in different areas of the user experience, depending on their interest.

Learn more about what software engineering is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Software Engineering?

Our society continues to rely more heavily on computer-driven processes. Software Engineers are the brain power behind these processes and create the programs and applications we use daily. Software Engineers use programming languages to develop software programs and applications. Programming skills are sought after across fields and sectors, and you can do many cool things with this skill set! 

Low-level programming languages, such as assembly and machine language, can be used to create system software. System software is a general software that develops and runs other application software. A few examples of system software are operating systems, like Mac OS and Android, and video game systems, like the Nintendo system software, which allow video games to run.

You can also create application software using programming languages—software engineers design application software to carry out a specific function. For example, Spotify is an application software that allows you to listen to music or podcasts. Engineers use high-level programming languages like Java and Python to write application software.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Software Engineering?

Software engineering is a dynamic and ever-changing field, making it an attractive career option for many. However, rapid technological developments can also be challenging as Software Engineers attempt to create cutting-edge software products that people will use. If you’re a novice looking to enter the field and learn software engineering, this can be overwhelming, and you may have difficulty knowing where to start your studies. For others, trying to stay motivated and focused might be the most challenging part of learning software engineering. Luckily, many of the difficult aspects of learning software engineering are things you can control and get help with to ensure a successful learning journey. 

How Does Learning Software Engineering Compare to Other Applications/Languages/Fields?

Software engineering has long been the most traditional career path for those interested in pursuing a career in information and computer technology. However, Data Science, an emerging interdisciplinary field within computer science, has increasingly become an alternative popular career path. Like Software Engineering, Data Science jobs offer lucrative compensation packages and enriching career opportunities.

Like Software Engineers, Data Scientists have specialized programming, analytics, and mathematics knowledge. However, Data Scientists use scientific methods, machine learning algorithms, and other analytical tools to make sense of large data sets. Why is this important? We live in a data-driven world where large amounts of data are generated constantly, and companies need Data Scientists to dissect this information so they can use it to inform business solutions. Their insights can help increase efficiency by automating processes and managing the demands between accuracy and speed.

Four Tips to Help You Learn Software Engineering 

When you’re learning something new, it can be intimidating to know where to start. As you begin your learning journey, here are five tips to help make learning software engineering easier. 

Start with the Fundamentals 

If you quickly search for a software engineering bootcamp, you will likely see various programming languages, frameworks, and terms you can learn. While you may feel pressure to jump in and know it all, you will get much further in your career by focusing on the fundamentals. 

Learning easy programming languages, such as Python, Ruby, and JavaScript, will teach you the foundation to tackle more advanced languages as you progress through your career. Likewise, building the muscle to problem solve or debug more effectively will help you throughout your career as the software problems (and solutions) become more complex.

Enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program 

One of the fastest ways to learn software engineering is through a bootcamp or certificate program. Many novices find software engineering challenging because they don’t know where to start or lack a supportive network to keep them accountable and help them when struggling with a topic. 

Software engineering bootcamps and certificate programs offer standardized curriculums responsive to changing technological needs and innovations. You will benefit from real-time access to expert instructors who help you learn the fundamentals of software engineering. Additionally, you will learn alongside and be able to collaborate with a diverse group of peers who can help motivate you and be a source of support as you learn new concepts together. 

Utilize Online Resources and Communities

When Software Engineers run into issues and are looking to solve them, they often turn to resources like Google, Stack Overflow, Reddit, and GitHub. As you’re learning software engineering, you should turn to these communities when you have questions, as chances are someone else has already asked and received answers that you can access on these sites. 

Practice Outside the Classroom 

The only way to get better at something is to practice it! Whether you are engaging in self-learning or enrolling in a software engineering bootcamp, you should strive to practice your learning. For example, you can use what you’ve learned to begin building a software application. You can only learn so much by reading, and frequently you can absorb subjects more efficiently by doing them, especially if you’re a hands-on learner. 

Conquer Software Engineering with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers an assortment of Software Engineering classes that will teach you the skills needed to become a Software Engineer. You can join Noble’s courses in-person in Manhattan or virtually from the comfort of your home or office. These courses feature small class sizes led by expert instructors with experience in the field. In addition, Noble classes feature a free retake option that will allow you to retake a course within a year for no extra fees. 

If you want to be a more well-rounded web developer, consider enrolling in either the  Software Engineering Certificate or the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate. Both courses will prepare you to build both the front end and back end of websites. By the end of the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate, students can use programming languages, such as HTML & CSS, JavaScript, and React, to develop and build web applications. If you have a few extra weeks, the Software Engineering Certificate is more comprehensive and will teach you Python, a popular programming language for web development, data analysis, and automation. 

Noble’s Python Developer Certificate program is the perfect course for someone with a shorter-time frame looking to learn a highly used programming language. This certificate will take you from a beginner to an intermediate Python programmer in a few weeks. This course will prepare you for success as a Python Developer, Back End Developer, or Software Engineer. 

If you’re interested in working with data in your career, Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate is a good option for you. This immersive training will equip you with skills ranging from Python programming to machine learning models.