Software Engineers

High School

A bachelor's or advanced degree in computer science or engineering is required for most software engineers. Thus, to prepare for college studies while in high school, take as many computer, math, and science courses as possible; they provide fundamental math and computer knowledge and teach analytical thinking skills. Classes that rely on schematic drawing and flowcharts are also very valuable. English and speech courses will help you improve your communication skills, which are very important for software engineers.

Postsecondary Training

As more and more well-educated professionals enter the industry, most employers now require a bachelor's degree. A typical degree concentration for an applications software engineer is software engineering, computer science, or mathematics. Systems software engineers typically pursue a concentration in computer science or computer information systems. Students also complete an internship or other on-the-job experience as part of their training. A master’s degree in software engineering or a related field may be required for some positions. Large computer and consulting firms may offer specialized training in proprietary programs. If you plan to work in a specific technical field, such as medicine, law, or business, you should receive some formal training in that particular discipline.

Other Education or Training

Several associations offer continuing education opportunities. Student and professional members of the Association for Computing Machinery can access online computing and business courses via the association’s Learning Center. The IEEE Computer Society offers career planning webinars and continuing education courses to its members. Other organizations that provide continuing education opportunities include the Association for Women in Computing, Information Architecture Institute, and the International Game Developers Association. Contact these organizations for more information.