As well as the right education or training, you might also want to gain a certification. This will ensure you stand out from other software engineers when looking for work. In this article, you will learn about the different types of software engineer certifications and how they can benefit your career. But, to start, what exactly is a software engineer?
What Is a Software Engineer?
Software engineering is a role in a technical industry that is forever evolving. The main role of the job is to ensure you look after, audit and maintain the systems of the business so they meet all of the needs of the organization. For instance, you could work at an architect firm where all the systems need to be constantly monitored to ensure the architects’ work is of the highest standard. You will need to notice any system errors that might occur and arrange for diagnostics to discover any software bugs or issues. Technological efficiency and attention to detail are just two of the main skills needed to pursue a career as a software engineer. You will also need to be able to work in a team to fix and come up with solutions to any problems that may arise. Your business could be looking at ways to increase the speed of the systems and software for a more efficient customer journey. One of your goals will be to develop ways to make the journey more streamlined for the end user. You might also have to recommend developments that could improve processes. As well as monitoring systems, you will need to be able to read and write code – this is a must when you are working with different front- and back-end software systems. The role of software engineer can take on many guises. For instance, in some roles, you might be known as a web programmer or software developer, but still have to do the same tasks and carry out the same jobs. Or you could have specific skills in a certain type of software and have those in your job title.
Skills of a Software Engineer
If you are looking to become a software engineer, here are some of the skills you will need:
Write code – As mentioned earlier, writing code is a big part of software engineering, so it is vital that you are literate in testing and writing code. This is also a good way to communicate and work with other developers and engineers. Monitor customer journey (or user journey) – You will need to constantly analyze the user’s needs and see how you can improve the systems. Having an analytical mind is a really good soft skill. Write new software – As a software engineer, you might be asked to write new programs and systems for businesses, especially when previous iterations have stopped working or are no longer beneficial. You will need to be able to identify what previous systems might have been lacking so you can resolve this with new software. Make your systems work harder – As well as developing new programs and software, at times you may also have to make do with the software you already have – but make it better. You will need to identify any issues and what you can do to improve the existing software. Modify platforms and integrate – If you are joining a company with a lot of existing programs, you might have to modify each of the programs and see if you can integrate them with other platforms to work together. This will take patience and, again, an analytical mind. Have certain soft skills – As mentioned earlier, there are a number of soft skills you will need for this role. These include patience, the ability to work as part of a team, attention to detail, analytical thinking and communication.
Software engineering is often seen as a desirable career and a job that many people want to get into after college or move into during their working career. Although it is great to have the aforementioned skills, a software engineering certification might help state your case when you are applying for jobs in this field. But what certifications are out there? And how do you go about obtaining one?
Should You Get Certified?
Although certifications are not typically a necessity when hiring a software engineer, they do have some pull with hiring managers when they are sifting through multiple resumes. They are a good way to make your skills and experiences look different from other potential candidates. Another benefit is that it will show a future employer that you have kept your CPD up to date – this will give hiring managers more confidence in your abilities and showcase your willingness to always obtain new skills and keep refreshing your current skill set. However, some companies might not be looking for certification. These are companies that work exclusively with tech and may go in their own direction, rather than focusing on the areas some of the certifications do. Having a certification doesn’t mean you won’t get a job with these companies; it just might not be necessary in the long run. In more hybrid businesses, having a certification could be a major plus point. For example, if you are applying for a senior position, many employers would expect you to have on-the-job skills, rather than a certification. They might look more at the other companies you have worked for instead of what certification you have. Here are a few pros and cons of getting certified: Here are a few courses that you might find worth your time. You will also go through the motions of engineering web apps and debugging any issues on the AWS program.
What Does the Test Cover?
You will have to answer 40–60 questions about the fundamentals of AWS and be able to work on a cloud-based application. The certification recommends at least six months of work experience.
This might be an ideal certification for software engineers who are new to the world of Azure and are starting their journey with cloud-based programs. The benefit of this certification is that you can highlight your skills in cloud programs and other fundamentals related to Azure systems. You can also use this knowledge for programs other than Azur; it will help build skills that can help other systems too.
What Does the Test Cover?
You will be asked 40–60 questions, and the passing score is 700. You will be given 85 minutes to complete the test.
And since the demand for software engineers and developers is rising, people who have taken the Puppet Lab certification have gone on to achieve jobs at high-profile places.
What Does the Test Cover?
You will have to answer 60 multiple-choice questions and will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The cost to take the Puppet Developer test is $200, and it covers myriad computer-based questions that can help with various platforms and programs.
What Does the Test Cover?
The test covers a mixture of multiple-choice questions, performance-based segments and also a bit of drag and drop. It will examine your ability to complete problems and work through a practice environment. The examination has a maximum of 90 questions – and you will have 90 minutes to complete the test. You might also be asked some exit questions, which consist of 12 multiple-choice questions. They will ask about why you want to take the certification and how you think it will benefit your future goals. The cost is $370 per exam.
You will also be asked several questions relating to memory, network sockets and different floats.
What Does the Test Cover?
You will have to answer 55 single and multiple-choice questions in about 65 minutes. You will be given another 10 minutes to answer some tutorials. The price of the exam is $295.
It covers all kinds of technological information that you can use in other software systems, not only Microsoft. It is more entry level than some of the other certifications mentioned above and is more suited to newer software engineers than experienced ones.
What Does the Test Cover?
The Microsoft Technology Associate Developer exam consists of 55 questions, for which you will have 50 minutes to complete. This test costs $127.
This is a good exam for desktop admin and engineers who prefer to focus on virtualization software.
What Does the Test Cover?
The test covers 14 topics, and you will need to ensure you complete the 1Y0-203 assessment before the Citrix Certified Professional-Virtualization certification. You will have 180 minutes to complete the test. The certification will be valid for three years from when you pass the exam, and it costs $200.
Don’t worry if you do not want to pay for an assessment or don’t think it is the right path for you to follow. These certifications are not a requirement to get a job as a software engineer – they are an additional asset that could help you stand out from other candidates. As well as the certifications mentioned above, there are other platforms and software certifications you can partake in if the above does not meet your requirements or needs. As for price, they can vary from around $100 to $400, depending on the course. As always, do your research on the different certification courses available to find the best one for you.
