Software Engineers

Employers

Nearly 1.5 million software engineers are employed in the United States. Software engineers work in many industries, including medical, manufacturing, military, communications, aerospace, scientific, and other commercial businesses. About 33 percent of software engineers—the largest concentration in the field—work in computer systems design and related services. Another 11 percent work in manufacturing and 9 percent are employed by software publishers. Many software engineers work at software firms that are located in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, in northern California, as well as in Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York, among other places.

Starting Out

As a student of software engineering, you should work closely with your school's career services office, as many professionals find their first position through on-campus recruiting. Career services office staff are well trained to provide tips on resume writing, interviewing techniques, and locating job leads.

Individuals not working with a school placement office can check the online postings for job openings. They also can work with a local employment agency that places computer professionals in appropriate jobs. Many openings in the computer industry are publicized by word of mouth, so you should stay in touch with working computer professionals to learn who is hiring. In addition, these people may be willing to refer you directly to the person in charge of recruiting.

Check out job-search Web sites such as https://www.dice.com and be sure to create a profile on LinkedIn so that recruiters can learn more about your educational background and skill set.