Which Software Engineering Training Format Is Right for Me?

If you’ve started looking at software engineering training, you’ve probably found various options. When comparing types of software engineering training, there are several factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Learn more about the various software engineering training formats, how they stack up against one another, and how to choose the one that's right for you by reading on.

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.

Training Formats for Software Engineering

In-person, live online, and on-demand training are the three primary formats students learn software engineering skills. There are also free online courses and tutorials available. The following section will detail each format so you can assess the similarities and differences between each format and determine which is best for you. 

In-Person Software Engineering Training

Are you interested in learning software engineering skills in an in-person format? In-person learning is an excellent option for those who thrive in a traditional class environment. Students benefit from face-to-face interaction and more collaboration with their classmates. Additionally, teachers are available to provide direct feedback, and there are fewer distractions compared to attending online classes at home. On the other hand, in-person is not as flexible as online, and students will have less control over the course’s schedule, location, and pace.

If in-person learning is the best option for you, Noble Desktop offers in-person software engineering classes in New York City. Noble offers flexible courses that can meet your schedule. Classes can range from a few hours to a few months, and weekday and weekend class options are available. Topics include FinTech, Python, JavaScript, React, front end Web Development, and Full-Stack Web Development. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, you will find class options that will meet your learning needs from Noble. 

If you live outside the NYC metro area but want to attend an in-person class, Noble’s Classes Near Me tool can help you find in-person software engineering classes. Other schools offering courses include Thinkful, Devmountain, and Flatiron School. They offer a variety of courses related to software engineering that you may find interesting.

Live Online Software Engineering Training

Live online classes are a popular class option if you want to learn software engineering skills. Online learning offers greater flexibility to students who can complete their classes from anywhere without worrying about a busy commute. Additionally, because students can join from anywhere, online classes typically feature a more diverse student body, and you can benefit from a broader range of perspectives in your learning. A drawback of online education is that you may experience less social interaction with classmates and instructors, which can be difficult for those who thrive in more hands-on learning environments. Additionally, some students need help engaging in online learning because of the many distractions experienced at home or in the office. 

If online learning is the best option for you, Noble Desktop offers several live online software engineering classes. Noble’s Live Online classes are taught via Zoom and provided in real-time. You can ask your professor a question, receive instant feedback on classwork, and engage with instructors and classmates via the chat option. Noble’s Classes Near Me tool also features live online software engineering courses from other top online learning providers. You can use the tool to compare costs, class duration and time, and experience level across the schools and courses.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Are you still trying to decide whether to dive into an immersive software engineering bootcamp? You should consider enrolling in one of Noble’s free introductory software engineering seminars, which cover various topics related to software engineering. For instance, the Intro to Front End Web Development will teach you the programming languages relevant to building the parts of the websites the user sees, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

You can also find free Software Engineering classes from other online learning providers. Udemy offers a handful of courses that will teach you fundamental programming languages, such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Coursera also offers several free classes related to software engineering, including an intro to Node JS and Express course. Several free tutorials on YouTube cover web development, programming languages, and web design. 

Read about more free Software Engineering videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

Are you considering enrolling in a self-paced software engineering class? This learning option is a popular alternative for those juggling busy personal and professional schedules. These courses allow students to balance their work and home life without the added stress of meeting deadlines or following a strict class schedule. However, a drawback of on-demand classes is that because there’s no formal routine or real-time interaction with instructors and peers, students may become demotivated to complete their studies and fall behind. 

On-demand class content is available to students upfront, and they can decide the pacing needed to work through. Most on-demand classes cater to beginner and intermediate-level learners. Classes range from a few hours to a few months worth of content to work through. Self-paced courses can vary in pricing, and while most cost, a few free options are available. Some software engineering courses are available through a subscription service that allows students to pay upfront or pay as they go. On-demand classes offer a lot of flexibility to students and are an excellent alternative to in-person and online classes.

Comparison of Software Engineering Training Formats

For people who do best in a conventional classroom environment, taking lessons in-person is a fantastic choice. Expert instructors teach these courses in a classroom, allowing you to interact with them and your cohort members in real-time. Additionally, the opportunity to learn in a distraction-free environment is a benefit of in-person classes. The primary disadvantage of in-person learning is the requirement to be physically present, which can be difficult or prohibitive for people balancing job or familial care duties, or who live far away from the training venue.

Live-online software engineering training allows learners to participate in an immersive learning experience from the comfort of their homes or workplace. Similarly to in-person courses, live online courses are instructor-led and offer real-time participation and engagement. This format is a popular option for learners looking to avoid a busy commute or living too far from an in-person training location and those juggling personal obligations that may make it difficult to travel to an in-person class. One disadvantage of live-online learning is that you may encounter technological difficulties, such as Wi-Fi outages, and need help staying motivated and engaged when studying from home.

On-demand training and free online tutorials offer the greatest flexibility and cost savings when learning software engineering online, as you can work through the curriculum at your own pace. The significant drawbacks of this method are the need for more real-time connection with the teacher and students, trouble keeping motivated to complete the homework, and difficulties staying focused due to distractions at home or work. These learning formats are best for beginners looking to learn about software engineering before committing to a more immersive learning program. 

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Software Engineering?

Plenty of software engineering tutorials and resources can provide a novice with a surface-level understanding of the skills and concepts. However, as you learn more complex lessons, self-learning, while possible, can be challenging to do. You will likely find yourself overwhelmed if you get stuck, lose motivation, or attempt to source what concepts are essential to learning. 

If you want to pursue a software engineering career or create a serious hobby out of it, you will need expert instruction to help you master the skills. Instructor-led classes provide you with an up-to-date, set curriculum that will teach you what you need to know to excel as a developer. Additionally, you will have access to the guidance and wisdom of instructors who can help you when you’re stuck and provide mentorship as you think more broadly about your career trajectory. 

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Software Engineering

So you decided to enroll in a software engineering class but aren’t sure where to start? With so many options available to learn software engineering, you should first consider which option will work best for you and meet your needs. You should consider a few things: career goal, experience level, cost, and format. 

If you are a beginner and unsure if you want to pursue a career in Software Engineering, consider enrolling in a free introductory course, such as the Intro to front end Web Development seminar. This seminar will give you insight into the field without needing to spend a large amount of money so you can decide if this is the career path for you. If you are a beginner looking to master software engineering skills to embark on a new career, you should consider enrolling in an immersive learning experience that will provide you with a comprehensive curriculum that will have you job-ready such as the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate. Finally, if you’re somewhere in the middle and interested in plugging a skill gap, a bootcamp, like the Python Developer Bootcamp, will be a better option. 

The best way you will learn software engineering depends on your learning style, personal time commitment, and budget. If you are juggling a busy schedule, a virtual software engineering class might be the best option for you, as these classes typically run during the evening. If you thrive in a traditional class setting, consider enrolling in an in-person software engineering class. Additionally, consider whether you have the flexibility to attend a full-time or part-time course. Finally, you should ensure that you enroll in a program that aligns with your budget.

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.