COURSE 1:  INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Module 5: Job Opportunities and Skillsets in Software Engineering

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TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION – Job Opportunities and Skillsets in Software Engineering

In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the daily tasks and responsibilities of a software engineer. You will explore the essential hard and soft skills required to excel in this field, such as technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and communication. Additionally, you will investigate the job outlook for software engineers, gaining insights into the various career paths available within the industry.

This includes an in-depth look at different software engineering job titles and their associated responsibilities. Moreover, you will learn about the software engineering code of ethics, which governs professional conduct and ensures integrity in the practice of software engineering. Through this module, you will be well-prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a successful career in software engineering.

Learning Objectives

  • the role both now and in the future. Match role titles with job responsibilities.
  • List the job titles for different types of software engineers and describe the key skills required for those roles.
  • Compare and contrast the hard and soft skills for software engineers and list examples of each.
  • Describe what a software engineer does and the technologies that they use.
  • Describe a typical day in the life of a software engineer.
  • Identify some popular career paths for software engineers.
  • Explain each of the eight principles in the Software Engineering Code of Ethics.

PRACTICE QUIZ: ABOUT SOFTWARE ENGINEERS

1. Which of the following types of technology is a software engineer likely to use on a daily basis?

  • Programming languages (CORRECT)
  • Routers 
  • Network switches 
  • Electrical circuits

Correct: Software engineers use programming languages to write code.

2. Which of the following can a software engineer use to submit code for review?

  • Bug report 
  • MVPs 
  • Analysis software
  • Merge request (CORRECT)

Correct: You can use merge requests to alert members of your team to new or updated code for their review.

3. Which of the following is an example of a soft skill?

  • Adaptability (CORRECT)
  • Agile development 
  • Cloud computing 
  • Testing

Correct: It is essential for a software engineer to be adaptable to changing needs of a project.

4. Which of the following tasks is likely to be undertaken by a senior software engineer but not by a junior one?

  • Designing solutions (CORRECT)
  • Writing code 
  • Documenting code 
  • Testing code

Correct: Senior software engineers often design solutions.

5. Job requirements are a combination of…

  • Easy skills and soft skills 
  • Hard skills and qualifications 
  • Soft skills and personality traits 
  • Hard skills and soft skills (CORRECT)

Correct: Roles require both hard skills and soft skills.

PRACTICE QUIZ: CAREERS IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

1.What type of organization do software engineers typically work in?

  • Software houses only
  • Non-technology-based companies only
  • All types of companies (CORRECT)
  • Technology-based companies only

Correct: Software engineers work in companies across all sectors.

2. True or false. Software engineers can only follow a technical or managerial career path.

  • True
  • False (CORRECT)

Correct: Software engineering skills are applicable in a wide variety of other roles.

3. Which of the following roles is likely to work on the end user experience part of an application?

  • Back-end engineer
  • Software integration engineer
  • Security engineer
  • Front-end engineer (CORRECT)

Correct: Front-end engineers develop user interfaces.

4. True or false. All software engineers are graduates.

  • True
  • False (CORRECT)

Correct: Many companies hire non-graduates who demonstrate the required skills for the role.

5. Which of the following are common career directions for a software engineer?

  • Environmental and ethical
  • Technical and environmental
  • Technical and managerial (CORRECT)
  • Managerial and environmental

Correct: Software engineers often take a technical or managerial career path.

6. Which of the following is a principle in the software engineering code of ethics?

  • Associates
  • Community
  • Friends
  • Public (CORRECT)

Correct: “Public” is the first principle in the software engineering code of ethics.

GRADED QUIZ: JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND SKILLSETS IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

1. Which of the following is the best description of a data integration layer?

  • It accesses and loads data from a variety of sources. (CORRECT)
  • It stores all of the data for your solution.
  • It applies real-world business rules to data in a solution.
  • It enables users to interact with your solution.

Correct: The data integration layer is responsible for accessing data in your solution.

2. Complete the following. Software engineers ….

  • Design and develop software that solves real-world problems. (CORRECT)
  • Design and implement network systems.
  • Develop and maintain data architectures. 
  • Use software solutions to solve real-world problems.

Correct: A software engineer designs and develops software to solve real-world problems.

3. Which of the following is an example of a hard skill?

  • Time management
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Open to feedback 
  • Programming (CORRECT)

Correct: Programming is a hard skill, so is quantifiable, measurable, and certifiable.

4. Which of the following is an attribute of a soft skill?

  • Certifiable
  • Measurable 
  • Quantifiable
  • Transferable (CORRECT)

Correct: Soft skills are transferable between roles and across industries.

5. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts approximately what percent growth for software developers, analysts, and tests from 2020-2030?

  • 2%
  • 22% (CORRECT)
  • 12% 
  • 32%

Correct: Correct! They predict a 22% growth over this period.

6. A technical career path is a good choice if you:

  • Enjoy supporting team members
  • Enjoy solving problems (CORRECT)
  • Enjoy managing people
  • Enjoy mentoring others

Correct: Problem-solving is one of the key tasks in the technical career path of a software engineer.

7. Who is most likely to work alongside graphic artists and sound technicians?

  • A DevOps engineer 
  • A mobile app developer
  • A full-stack engineer
  • A games developer (CORRECT)

Correct: Game developers work with graphic artists, sound technicians, and game designers to develop gaming software.

8. True of false. Learning on the job and developing new skills is an important part of a software engineer’s role.

  • True (CORRECT)
  • False

Correct: Software engineers are continually learning new skills.

9. Which role is responsible for developing code to test the functionality of a software solution?

  • A front-end engineer
  • A security engineer
  • A quality assurance engineer (CORRECT)
  • A back-end engineer

Correct: Quality assurance engineers validate the quality of an application, develop code to test the functionality, and track bugs.

10. What is the overarching purpose of the software engineering code of ethics?

  • To serve the public good. (CORRECT)
  • To improve the quality of software used in businesses.
  • To make software user-friendly.
  • To improve the software development process.

Correct: The overarching purpose of the code of ethics is to serve the public good.

CONCLUSION – Job Opportunities and Skillsets in Software Engineering

In conclusion, this module provides a thorough overview of the software engineering profession. By understanding the daily tasks and responsibilities of a software engineer, you will be well-equipped to navigate this dynamic field. The exploration of essential hard and soft skills, job outlook, various career paths, and specific job titles will give you a clear picture of the opportunities and expectations in software engineering.

Additionally, learning about the software engineering code of ethics will ensure that you are prepared to uphold professional standards and integrity in your work. This module aims to provide you with the comprehensive knowledge and skills needed to embark on a successful career in software engineering.

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