Up until recently the words ‘software engineer’ have seldom been used by school career counsellors and teachers when it comes to advising children on their futures in the working world. If education systems want to set their pupils up for future success, this is definitely a career that they should start recommending as it is one that people are more likely to find on their own accord rather than a career path that is prompted to them.
Demand for software engineers is at an all-time high with local start-ups just as in need of coding expertise as multi-national companies generating billions of dollars in revenues. Wherever you choose to work as a software engineer – be it Silicon Valley or Slough – a generous salary is sure to accompany you, but why?
What is coding?
Coding
KOH-ding
Computing. The conversion of information into code usable by a computer or other machine.
That’s the definition of coding from the Oxford English Dictionary. Short and sweet, it does leave a lot to the imagination, so allow us to fill in the gaps by explaining, in layman’s terms what coding entails.
Computers are incredibly advanced pieces of technology, but they still need guidance from human and can’t operate independently on their own (as of yet…). In order then to harness the capability of computers, we need people to write instructions and processes for computers to follow.
This process is known as coding. A coder uses a specific programming language to, in essence, make computers do things. Typically this takes the form of building programs, websites, apps and the like, which is why someone who is proficient in coding is also referred to as a software engineer.
(Traditionally learning French, Spanish or Mandarin would have been enough to put you ahead in the working world. Now, the best language that anyone could possibly learn is coding…)
Why is it in demand?
The world is increasingly online. According to reports, Brits spend on average 4.2 hours a day looking at their smartphone screens. That’s on top of the 4 hours a day that they spend looking at other screens like laptops, PCs and tablets as part of their work days.
That’s not a trend that’s unique to the United Kingdom either, it’s happening all across the world. People are spending more and more time online. As a result, there’s a huge demand for companies, products and services that can improve that online experience.
Whether that be companies and services designed to streamline work, or those designed to provide distractions from work. To show just how far-reaching and diverse that demand is, here are a range of industries that have an overwhelming demand for software engineers.
Healthcare
According to those in the know, healthcare is the next big industry touted for a meteoric rise in the coming decade with AI predicted to be the driving force. In preparation for that, and in order to align itself with current market forces, healthcare is increasingly looking to move online.
To do that, they need software engineers.
(Healthcare is not just predicted to boom in the coming years, but also to move increasingly online, which makes it the ideal sector to crack for aspiring software engineers.)
Finance and Banking
Certainty in an uncertain world. That is what financiers and bankers are looking for and whilst they may never be satisfied in that regard, technology is helping to bring them closer. Complex computer programs are constantly evolving and being redesigned to give those in the financial sector the clearest picture of impending booms and crashes.
Thanks to the money awash in this industry, software engineers working in it can bring in huge salaries and commissions.
The Gambling Industry
Globally gambling is one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet and that’s largely thanks to the growth of the online sector. As a result, gambling software engineers are in highdemand to fulfil complex tasks such as creating a top-of-the-range app or maintaining & creating software which improves their product. The competitive nature of the industry means providers are constantly trying to improve. As an example, Monopoly Live has daily results which means the software must be top-tier to be able to keep up with all of the requests.These are up-to-the-minute so players can see when a certain number is ‘overdue’ before placing their bet. This is only one of a number of complex online casinos games that requires in-depth complex software to run effectively.
Final Thoughts
There is an ever-increasing demand for software engineers in a range of industries. Whilst we only had enough time and space to cover three, we could quite easily have mentioned the following industries and sectors: sports, media and entertainment, wellness, music, services, retail, food & drink and a great many more. It will be a job and skill set that will be needed for many years to come and with technology advancing it Is even more required.
As the amount of time that we spend online increases, so does the demand for software engineers, so why not choose a career that has an upward trajectory?
