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Software Engineer

computer software engineer

Thinking about becoming a computer software engineer? Computer software engineers can be responsible for the full lifecycle of an application's development or a specific part of it. A typical computer software engineer job description includes responsibilities such as: application development, software modeling and simulation, software design, software coding, software debugging, software analysis, software testing, graphical interface design, software documentation, software support, software tuning and maintenance, software integration, standards compliance, and project management. While some software engineers work on a project alone, many work in a team setting, each with specific responsibilities. Software engineers often specialize in Windows applications, Web applications, or mobile applications. In order to qualify for any software engineer job, a candidate must have extensive knowledge of: IT hardware, systems, software, platforms, and programming languages. Among the more common technologies required are: C, C++, Perl, Java, .NET, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, ASP, SQL Server, and Oracle.

A degree in computer science is a good start. However, professional certifications could lead to better positions and provide you with the skills needed in today's quickly changing IT environment. For example, enrolling in Microsoft .NET training and earning a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer MCPD certification shows that you have the skills and experience needed to design, build, deploy, optimize, and operate applications with Microsoft's .NET Framework and Visual Studio. Employers using those technologies need software engineers who have specific development skills related to those same technologies. By enrolling in IT training and earning professional certifications, not only will you have the skills required of these advanced computer careers, you will have credentials that validate your skills. Expect to continue your training throughout your career as new development tools are likely to be introduced and embraced in the future. By staying current with the latest technologies, your future as a computer software engineer could be a bright one.

Many software engineers will aspire to higher paying positions such as project manager or application developer, and the ranks of these positions are often filled with former software engineers. As for the position itself, the salary will be determined by a number of internal and external factors, including time in the position, experience level, skill set, certification and training, but a well qualified and reasonably experienced software engineer may be able to attain salary levels of $80,000 or more per year.

Computer Software Engineer Training Courses

Microsoft Certifications

  • MCTS .NET 3.5 Web
  • MCTS .NET 3.5 Windows
  • MCTS .NET 4.0 Web
  • MCTS .NET 4.0 Windows
  • MCPD

CompTIA Certification

 

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