Software engineering is a branch of engineering which is mainly associated with development of software products through methods that provide a clear-cut method to increasing the functionality of computers. The overall outcome provided is a product that is reliable and useful. Software engineering has bestowed a much bigger scope than its other counterpart processes as it involves more fields to branch out to.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must possess at least 50% aggregate from a recognized institution in 12^th, from any board PUC/CBSE/ICSE/ISC, etc. However, the cut-off margin varies with the selection process of different colleges.
• Should procure a valid score in entrance exams such as JEE-Main, KIITEE, SRMJEE, CEE, HITSEE, CET, etc., Different colleges offer their own entrance exams if you don’t have a satisfactory score in JEE or other competitive exams – colleges like NMIMS, Symbiosis International University, XUB, Andhra University, LPU, etc. Every state offers their own entrance exam as well.
• One must earn a degree in B.Sc/B.Tech or a Diploma to become a Software Engineer. This is a basic qualification you must require to enroll in this line of work.
• An M.Tech in Software Engineering can also prove to be helpful while looking for a higher degree and better learning.

Tasks to perform

• Analysis of information to authenticate and understand the functionality or performance of a new system or the upgrade of an existing one.
• Understanding the user requirements of software to regulate meeting deadlines or budget-cuts.
• Consulting with different individuals well-versed in analysis, understanding programming, and other elements of design to extract new information on prospects such as performance limits, limitations, capabilities, etc.
• Effectively communicating with different departments on technical problems, current status of the project, proposals accepted/rejected in software preservation and design.
• Conferring with different elements of information on the competence of the data received from projects through processing data and the expertise of project managers.

Knowledge required

• Computer Application - Understanding the prospects and functioning of circuit boards, processing units, circuits, electrical devices, computer equipment, plus applications and programming.
• Administration and Conduct — Knowledge of the market and management concepts used in strategic planning, capital distribution, human resource modelling, technical leadership, manufacturing processes, personnel and asset implementation.
• Client and Legitimate Service — Implementation of standards and procedures for the provision of customer and services rendered. This involves identifying customer expectations, meeting product quality requirements and assessing customer loyalty.
• Science and Engineering – Utilizing practical methods of applying information and technology in engineering. This involves the application to the design and manufacture of different products and services of principles, methods, processes, and equipment.
• Mobile communications - Understanding the how reception, streaming, switching, regulating and running telecommunications networks function.

Skills required

• Perceptual Pace – Accumulating and interpreting information quickly through comparison and contrast of different theories, evidences and hypotheses presented.
• Mathematical Rationality — Solving complex mathematical problems or formulas by using properly devised mathematical tools or reasoning.
• Information Placement – Placing equipments in a specified order or sequence based on a set of rules and protocols.
• Verbal Competence – Addressing ideas and notions with clarity to another person or a group of people.
• Selective Attentiveness — Focusing on key tasks that require utmost priority over a period of time without being liable to interruptions or distractions.
• Innovation — Developing new and genuine ideas about solving a specific subject or concerns regarding a problem.

Job roles offered

Once you procure the required qualifications for becoming a Software Engineer, a myriad of options is open to you. There are multiple projects you can undertake throughout this line of work, and there are many other fields you can branch out to as well.

• Software Developer: A Software Developer is an individual who is involved in the line of building different programs for various needs. They are usually included in providing assistance to troubleshoot, improve and update softwares, provide efficient coding based on the statements provided, and develop a technical document to help understand the different kinds of requirements needed for improving on the current software.
• Infrastructure Engineer: Infrastructure Engineering deals with providing management and supervising all the systems and infrastructure. They are generally involved with setting up, understanding and running tests to determine the functionality of the operating systems, applications and system tools, securing high levels of security and infrastructure.
• Network Engineer: Network engineers are confident communicators and are excellent at providing insight to many intricate details. They are primarily responsible for configuring, providing maintenance, bestowing support and help creating different lines of communications inside the organization or a link between two organizations. Their goals comprise of providing infallible network structure and utmost efficiency to the users.
• Application Developer: An application developer is a person who provides source code for a software. On the basis of the field, they specialize in application developers involved in the life cycle of software development. They customize softwares based on the client’s preference. Also, they work with other individuals like software analysts, software engineers, designers, etc., to provide a software that meets the standards of quality.
• Help Desk Analyst: A help desk analyst is a professional who assists users by helping them fix issues pertaining towards the hardware or software of their system. They mostly answer to inquiries listed by the user, troubleshooting applications and other problems. They are closely associated with people from other IT departments to provide insight or solutions that don't pertain to their expertise.

Career opportunities

Software Engineers can opt for various fields of work in the companies listed below:

• Facebook
• Oracle Financial Services
• Google
• Apple
• Mindtree
• DoorDash
• WIPRO
• Hexaware
• Mphasis
• Larsen & Toubro
• HCL Technologies
• Tech Mahindra
• Tata Consultancy Services

Colleges offering courses

• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
• Indian Institute of Technology, Allahabad
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
• P.S.G College of Technology, Coimbatore
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
• RV College of Engineering, Bangalore
• NIT Trichy – National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
• Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
• Parul University, Vadodara
• Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur