How to Become a Software Engineer?

How to Become a Software Engineer: If you have formal education in BTech CSE or BCA/MCA degree with skills like HTML, C++, Java, etc. then you can become a software engineer. The most important thing to become a software engineer is to hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science/application. 

Software Engineers are responsible for creating software with complex algorithms as well as mobile applications with a lot of creativity. So we can say that software engineers shape the digital universe for everyone. If you have ever dreamt of shaping the world through coding and creativity, then this article is for you. In this article, we have provided the roadmap to become a software engineer like eligibility, exams to take, where to apply, courses to pursue, skills required, etc. Check the complete details on ‘How to Become a Software Engineer?’ in the article below.

Who is a Software Engineer?

Software Engineer is responsible for developing computer systems, software, and applications using programming language. With the boom in the Information technology sector Software Engineer is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world

Check Also: How to Become an AI Engineer

How to Become a Software Engineer in India

To become a software engineer in India, you must hold certain educational qualifications and relevant skills. You can check the qualifications needed to become a software engineer in India:

• Once you have completed your 10+2 with Maths, you can apply to the Polytechnic Computer Science diploma course which is a 3-year course
• Once you complete your Diploma course in Computer Science, you have to take admission to the BTech lateral entry for Computer Science
• Or, You can directly apply for BTech CSE (Computer Science Engineering) a four-year course
• Or, You can pursue a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) after completing your  10+2
• Once you complete your Bachelor’s degree you can continue with a Master’s degree to get better opportunities
• After completing any of these courses, you have to take an exam like GATE to get jobs in PSUs or take part in the campus placement drives to get a job as a software engineer 
• Along with the formal degree, you must take online courses as well as learn several programming languages to get good job opportunities with high salaries. 

Eligibility to Become a Software Engineer 

You have become familiar with how to become a software engineer, though you have to meet the eligibility criteria to become a software engineer. Check the eligibility requirements below:

• You must have qualified your 10+2 with mathematics and relevant subjects required 
• You must pursue the Diploma in Computer Science or BTech CSE or BCA
• You must know the programming languages in depth, like- HTML, C++, JAVA, Python, etc. 

Is there Any Age Limit to Become a Software Engineer in India?

No there is no age limit to becoming a software engineer, however, getting a job as a software engineer at an older age as freshers is almost impossible. So, it is advised that you should immediately start your career after completing your graduation

Skills Required to Become a Software Engineer

If you want to become a software engineer and get good opportunities for the job in the early stage of your life then you must possess some skills which can be beneficial for your career. Check the skills required to become a software engineer below:

• You must be familiar with computer programming languages C, C++, JAVA, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Scala, etc. 
• You have to be familiar with Software testing, as when software is tailored, it can have many flaws/bugs in it. As a software engineer, you must have a keen eye to find the bugs and fix them
• Along with developing and fixing the software and application, you have to steer the development of the application and software. 

How to Apply to Become a Software Engineer?

To become a software engineer in PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings)  you have to take the GATE exam once you have completed your graduations. Check the details on how to apply to become a software engineer below:

• GATE: The Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) annually. The GATE exam provided admission to the top universities for the MTech courses. Some PSUs also provide jobs directly after qualifying for the GATE exam. 
• Placement Drives: You have to apply for the placement drives conducted by the colleges to get a job as a software engineer. In placement drives, software companies hire potential candidates in their company as software engineers.

How to Prepare for Software Engineer Entrance Exam?

To become a software engineer you have to take several exams after 10+2 like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and GATE, and to crack this exam you need to make sure that you have comprehensive knowledge and plan. Check the preparation tips to become a software engineer by cracking the exams below:

• Check the syllabus and exam pattern of the exam on the official website
• Collect all the study materials and books for the preparation 
• Download the previous year’s question papers 
• Join coaching to get help for the preparation of the exam 
• Make sure to do regular revisions and take mock tests to analyse your preparation level

How to Prepare for the Personal Interview

If you have chosen to appear for the placement drives or PSU interviews, you must prepare for the personal interview to become a Software Engineer. Check the preparation tips for cracking the personal interview below:

• Make sure you have all the documents required for the interview like educational certificates along with merit certificates
• Make sure you have a hard copy of your well-prepared resume
• Be on time
• Prepare for the basic questions about the programming languages and personality questions like, “Tell me something about you that is not mentioned in the resume?”
• Wear formal attire and be presentable on the day of the interview
• Be confident and maintain eye contact with the interviewer
• Maintain a decent/graceful smile while answering the questions in the interview
• Be polite and professional while answering the questions

Final Step to Become a Software Engineer

Once you have completed the processes from cracking the exam to appearing for the personal interview you have to submit all the documents required like educational certificates, address proof, banking details, etc. 

Entrance Exam Dates to Become a Software Engineer

You can check the tentative schedule for the exams which can be useful to become Software Engineers in the table below:

Courses to Become Software Engineer

To become a software engineer, you must have pursued specific courses from Bachelors to Masters. Check the courses required to become a software engineer below:

• Diploma in Computer Engineering: It is a three-year polytechnic course that will teach you about software, programming, languages, etc. Once you complete the diploma in software engineering, you have to get admission to the CSE (Computer Science Engineering) through lateral entry. 
• BTech in CSE: It is a four-year degree programme in which you will be taught about programming languages, software development, machine learning, artificial engineering, and more
• BCA: Bachelor of Application is a three-year degree programme where you will get knowledge about programming languages and software development. However, to get a job after BCA, you have to complete the MCA (Masters in Computer Applications), as the bachelor's degree is not valued by the MNCs

Job Roles of a Software Engineer

You must be thinking about the task you will be responsible for after becoming a Software Engineer. Don't worry about it, we have provided the job role/ key responsibilities of a Software Engineer. Check the job role after you become a software engineer below:

• You will be responsible for the development and execution of software 
• Identify the problems in software and provide solutions to them 
• Upgrade to fully functional software to add better features 
• Complete the projects as per the industry standards within the deadlines

Average Salary for Software Engineers in India

Everything ends with money and this article will end on the same topic as you are wondering how much you will earn after becoming a software engineer. You can check the average salary of a software engineer: