Harrison Thacker

10-14-16
BUS 1010
David Alldredge

E-Portfolio

Project Paper

Software Engineer: Job Description

The software engineer must execute full lifecycle software development, with efficient
and testable code made every step of the way. He or she must also follow industry standards and
project plans set forth by the management. Software tools, processes, and methods have to be
tailored and deployed, with all software components integrated into the software system. And
from there on out should maintain and document software functionality. Code must be planned,
written, tested, and debugged in a continuous cycle. This will continue until the software is
deployed. Source 1: Software engineer job description template. (2016). Retrieved October 13,
2016, from https://resources.workable.com/software-engineer-job-description.

Software Engineer: General Career Path

The starting point in the career of a graduate is a Junior Software Engineer. They
typically write code with supervision from a team leader. Only after a few years of experience
will the Junior Engineer move into a Software Engineering role. With not as much supervision,

they have more involvement in the project at hand. And after a decade or so of experience, one
can move into the position of a Senior Software Engineer. There is a magnitude more
accountability and responsibility, allowing him or her to write complex code and develop entire
applications. A Senior could also Supervise Junior Engineers and provide advice to the rest of
the team. Some even interview new candidates in technical interviews, as well as having the
option of becoming a Team Lead, heading and watching over the development process. Source
2: The career path of a software engineer. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
http://www.parityprofessionals.co.uk/the-career-path-of-a-software-engineer.

Software Engineer: General Education Experience

The amount of experience required for an engineering job is different for most
employers. Requirements can range from an Associates to a Masters degree in Computer
Science. However, the requirements mostly recommend getting a Bachelors degree. Because a
high value is placed on relevant experience, its highly recommended to get at least one Software
Engineering Internship before you graduate. Certifications offered by software vendors and
training institutions can also be pursued, but that doesnt promise that a person will be hired
because of that. Excellent problem solving and communication skills, plus an attention to detail
are a must when looking for a candidate. Their skills in languages such as Java, C++, and Python
must also be adequate for the job. Source 3: Location, B. (2014). How to Become a Software
Engineer - Career Information, Education & Degree Requirements - Peterson's
CollegeQuest.com. Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
http://www.collegequest.com/how-to-become-a-software-engineer.aspx

Software Engineer: Average Salary

The National Average of a Software Engineer is $95,195 a year. For Salt Lake City, the
average is $80,573 a year. Junior Engineers start out at around $64,968 annually. But in Utah,
that average is 11% higher than the national median. For Senior Engineers, the average salary is
around $113.341 a year. Source 4: (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.html.

Software Engineer: Career Outlook

The Demand for Software Engineers will continue to rise again and again. Wireless and
mobile technologies will also provide niches in which Engineers can play a big part in job
market growth. One of the major skills gaps in the industry is the mobile development market.
There are currently more job opportunities then there are Software Engineers who exist to fill
them. So long as there exists a a responsibility for designing, safeguarding, and updating
computer systems, there will be a fueled demand for Software Engineers. This remains one of
the best and most fulfilling jobs in any industry to work in today, and that will only continue to
increase as time goes on. Source 5: Path, B. C. (n.d.). IT Careers. Retrieved October 14, 2016,
from http://www.itcareerfinder.com/it-careers/software-engineer.html.

Software Engineer: Biography

In 1988, Linus Torvalds had a Unix class at Helsinki University. He then was able to buy
his first PC thanks to falling hardware prices and a happy combination of personal
circumstances. Student loans were an option for him because of the way the Finnish University

education system was funded. Living with his mother at the time, his living costs could be used
to fund other purposes. He finally was able to get his first PC on January 5, 1991 with these
specifications: [Intel] 386, DX33, 4 megs of RAM, no co-processorI actually had to buy a
floating-point unit half a year later just because I had the emulation stuff, but there were people
who had the floating point unit and I couldn't be sure I could make [Linux] work. 40 megs hard
disk, so not very large. Since the Minix floppy disks were several months away, Linus tested
the task switching capabilities, which ended up being the seed for the Linux kernel. He changed
two processes to work like a terminal emulation package. One read from the keyboard and sent it
to the Modem, the other read from the Modem and sent it back to the computer monitor. This
allowed him to read from newsgroups, getting him answers to questions that helped him to
improve its system. With the help of Ari Lemmke, the entire public development process began.
This then set in motion a series of events that have resulted in a rather larger number of people
now using the 24-year-old lineal descendant of that humble task switcher from 1991. Source 6:
Moody, G. (2015). How Linux was born, as told by Linus Torvalds himself. Retrieved October
14, 2016, from
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/how-linux-was-born-as-told-by-linus-tor
valds-himself.

Software

Engineer: Pros and Cons

Pros: High-Level salary and other benefits, job flexibility, job security, ability to
contribute meaningful advances to society. Cons: Lack of Free Time, too much to learn(?),
required post secondary education. Source 7: Pros & Cons of Software Engineering - AOL

Papers. (2016). Retrieved October 15, 2016, from

http://aolpapers.com/pros-cons-of-software-engineering.

Software

Engineer: Career Fit

In conclusion, Id say I would fit in well the way things are currently going. The hardest
part getting into this industry is getting your first job out of college. First things first, I need to
become a Junior Engineer. To do this, I need a Bachelors in Computer Science, with at least one
software engineering or IT internship in order to be more employable. So far, everything is going
well. And Im positive and willing to do whatever it may take to make it happen. Lack of Free
Time wont be as much of an issue, seeing as how I dont intend on having any kids. Id prefer to
work the standard 40-hour work week, only working on weekends when its absolutely
necessary. But Id always take Sunday off. Since this is a career I have to nurture, Ill keep up
with whatever future advances are coming along. Is programming my number one passion? No.
It doesnt have to be, same as it is for most other people in this industry. I work to live instead of
living to work. With an excellent salary and plenty of career choices, I may also have the option
of retiring early. Question is, what will I do if Im not working? In ten years, I may look back in
disbelief about how I made an excellent career choice, giving me the ability to do whatever I
may wish. With the software engineering industry, people have the opportunity of being
perfectly settled in for the rest of their lives. Im going to do it, always looking to better myself,
never willing to let go and do something different. The only thing stopping me is myself.

Sources
1: Software engineer job description template. (2016). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
https://resources.workable.com/software-engineer-job-description.
2: The career path of a software engineer. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
http://www.parityprofessionals.co.uk/the-career-path-of-a-software-engineer.
3: Location, B. (2014). How to Become a Software Engineer - Career Information, Education &
Degree Requirements - Peterson's CollegeQuest.com. Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
http://www.collegequest.com/how-to-become-a-software-engineer.aspx.
4: (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.html.
5: Path, B. C. (n.d.). IT Careers. Retrieved October 13, 2016, from
http://www.itcareerfinder.com/it-careers/software-engineer.html.
6: Moody, G. (2015). How Linux was born, as told by Linus Torvalds himself. Retrieved
October 14, 2016, from
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/how-linux-was-born-as-told-by-linus-tor
valds-himself.
7: Pros & Cons of Software Engineering - AOL Papers. (2016). Retrieved October 15, 2016,
from http://aolpapers.com/pros-cons-of-software-engineering.