As a senior software engineer you will have had to work your way up through the ranks, and that is not always an easy task. It is a challenging road ahead to become a successful senior engineer. Here is a quick look at what it is going to take for you to accomplish your goal.
In order to get an engineering job as a senior software engineer, you are going to have to start at the bottom. You are going to have to begin with getting a four-year degree. The better the institution you attend the better chance you have of landing a quality job right out of the gate. There are several technology schools out there claiming that they can get you going, but this is not what major companies are looking for in leaders. They want people who are properly educated and ready to take on the challenges ahead of them.
As you are taking your classes, you will need to learn about Java, interface design, Web maintenance, software development, and interface computing. As you can see, you have a lot of knowledge to gain when you are in school to become a software engineer.
As you are entering the field, it is always good to be well rounded, but you want to have a specialty that you can focus on. Being the best in a particular area is what is going to get you noticed by your boss and ultimately get you promoted to the next level.
As you are rising through the ranks, research the companies that specialize in what you have decided to make your main focus. You may be able to land internships that could lead to a position in the future. This is a great way to build up your resume and make plenty of contacts on both the supply and demand ends of the chain.
The timeframe that you are going to spend at this level may be a little longer than you initially thought, but it is going to be time well spent. This is where you are going to gain the bulk of your engineering knowledge. You can expect to be at this entry-level/internship phase for the first four or five years of your career. It may be even longer depending upon your specialty. Do not get discouraged; this is the learning phase and before you move on to the next level, you need to make sure you are competent at this one.
Next you will move up from an entry-level job to a mid-level position. As you start moving up, you want to make sure you are working for good companies with bright futures. We all saw what happened during the .com explosion and how many supposedly solid companies ended up going under after just a few short years in existence. Focus on the best in the business for good job security. These companies are easy enough to find by Web searches and lists such as ''fortune 500 best companies to work for.'' Be sure to research a company thoroughly before taking a position with them. You may want to think twice about taking better-paying position if the company seems to be on the rocks.
Once you have spent a couple of years in the mid-level position honing your skills, you will finally be ready for a senior software engineering position. This is where all your hard work pays off. You will have a shot at being a team leader and possibly a project manager. That is why it is so important early on to gain as much experience as you can. The more senior you get the more responsibility you have to take on. You do not necessarily have to be the best at everything, but you will need to know about everything and should of course be the master of your particular specialty.
Being a senior software engineer will require you to have a lot more skills than just engineering skills. You are going to need to be a leader, to be organized, and to be a good communicator. It will be your job to keep the team focused and ensure that the projects happen as they are supposed to. Software jobs are all about meeting deadlines and delivering results as promised. Use each and every stage of your career to be ready for just this moment.
