10 answers
Shair
Student
Glendale, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What is fun about being a software engineer?
What are some benefits and what is fun about this job.
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10 answers
Arash Salehi
Enterprise Cloud Architect / Technical Training
5
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Arash’s Answer
Hi Shair,
I like your question and would like to share what I like about software development.
Disclaimer: I graduated with a Computer Science degree and while I'm an excellent programmer and consider myself strong in algorithms, I have never worked as a software developer in any of my roles. That just shows the flexibility of a Computer Science degree. I have had situations where I wrote a little bit of code, but I haven't had to build out any complex applications for what I have been doing.
So while I have worked in roles that require software development knowledge and experience, my responsibilities have focused on debugging applications, software technical support, software technical customer training, solutions engineering, and technical training curriculum development.
What is fun about software development? You have to remember that the end result is an application that you or a team built together to solve a problem. Coming up with innovative and simplified user experience designs is always rewarding too. You have the ability to go in front of customers to demonstrate how your contributions are going to solve their problems.
Beyond the rewarding feeling of knowing that you're building something that hopefully is helping to simplify people's lives, you also have to consider that you learn new technologies all of the time. This can include meeting virtually or in-person at conferences where discussions are taking place on cutting edge technology and new product releases. You may even present or demonstrate solutions at these conferences.
Internally to the organization that you would be working in, you may also enjoy celebrations and team outings when meeting particular project milestones that include rolling out a new revolutionary product or recognition for increased software sales.
If you think that earning a high salary is fun, then you will also enjoy being a software developer. The salaries can range from lows of $100k/year to over $700k/year based on experience, contributions, company, and regions.
I hope this is helpful!
I like your question and would like to share what I like about software development.
Disclaimer: I graduated with a Computer Science degree and while I'm an excellent programmer and consider myself strong in algorithms, I have never worked as a software developer in any of my roles. That just shows the flexibility of a Computer Science degree. I have had situations where I wrote a little bit of code, but I haven't had to build out any complex applications for what I have been doing.
So while I have worked in roles that require software development knowledge and experience, my responsibilities have focused on debugging applications, software technical support, software technical customer training, solutions engineering, and technical training curriculum development.
What is fun about software development? You have to remember that the end result is an application that you or a team built together to solve a problem. Coming up with innovative and simplified user experience designs is always rewarding too. You have the ability to go in front of customers to demonstrate how your contributions are going to solve their problems.
Beyond the rewarding feeling of knowing that you're building something that hopefully is helping to simplify people's lives, you also have to consider that you learn new technologies all of the time. This can include meeting virtually or in-person at conferences where discussions are taking place on cutting edge technology and new product releases. You may even present or demonstrate solutions at these conferences.
Internally to the organization that you would be working in, you may also enjoy celebrations and team outings when meeting particular project milestones that include rolling out a new revolutionary product or recognition for increased software sales.
If you think that earning a high salary is fun, then you will also enjoy being a software developer. The salaries can range from lows of $100k/year to over $700k/year based on experience, contributions, company, and regions.
I hope this is helpful!
Randy Tolentino
UX Engineer
20
Answers
Updated
Randy’s Answer
Shair,
I love this question because it allows us to focus on the positive aspects of the role, so thank you for asking this.
There's a lot of 'fun' parts of this role, everything from working with cool tools, gadgets, and cutting edge technologies, to working with some of the world's smartest people on global teams. It's also pretty awesome to work in very nice offices, or also have the flexibility to work from remote offices, too!
Personally, I also love that, for the most part, there is no dress code since I'm more of a shirt, hat, and sneakers kind of person.
(These are just some of the perks, but I'd argue that those are on the surface.)
But, one of my favorite aspects of the role, (I'd argue that this is also fun), is that no one stops you from learning what you want, when you want, and how much you want. In other words, your knowledge and skillset is totally up to you. If you want to learn to program animations, go for it. If you want to spend time learning a new language, do it. If you want to gain more knowledge on accessibility, optimization, backend, quantum computing, or AI — it's all up to you.
Hopefully all these replies to your question gets you amped up about entering the world of software engineering. It's a great place to be, there are endless opportunities, and it's a place where you can bring fun culture into the workplace as well.
Consider what fun is to you, and read about the different company cultures out there in the industry
Stay motivated by connecting with engineering communities online
Remember that your passion and skillsets are up to you
Enjoy imagining and shaping your career path as you grow
Have fun, and take breaks!
I love this question because it allows us to focus on the positive aspects of the role, so thank you for asking this.
There's a lot of 'fun' parts of this role, everything from working with cool tools, gadgets, and cutting edge technologies, to working with some of the world's smartest people on global teams. It's also pretty awesome to work in very nice offices, or also have the flexibility to work from remote offices, too!
Personally, I also love that, for the most part, there is no dress code since I'm more of a shirt, hat, and sneakers kind of person.
(These are just some of the perks, but I'd argue that those are on the surface.)
But, one of my favorite aspects of the role, (I'd argue that this is also fun), is that no one stops you from learning what you want, when you want, and how much you want. In other words, your knowledge and skillset is totally up to you. If you want to learn to program animations, go for it. If you want to spend time learning a new language, do it. If you want to gain more knowledge on accessibility, optimization, backend, quantum computing, or AI — it's all up to you.
Hopefully all these replies to your question gets you amped up about entering the world of software engineering. It's a great place to be, there are endless opportunities, and it's a place where you can bring fun culture into the workplace as well.
Randy recommends the following next steps:
Hanish Salindra Parthasarathy
Software Engineer Volunteer
83
Answers
United States
Updated
Hanish’s Answer
The best part about being a software engineer is the opportunity to solve problems and learning. There's no end to how much you can learn being a software engineer. When you finally see your code compile and do what its supposed to do, its one of the best feelings.
Ronit Marathe
Software Seller
2
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Ronit’s Answer
Engineering is all about problem solving. How do you take a piece of hardware..a computer, laptop, mobile phone, sensor device, xbox etc. and make it do MAGIC. That's what software does. It adds new functionality, extends the utility, optimizes performance, renders video and visuals, provides insights from data and a whole wide range of applications. It makes the device come alive and achieve meaningful tasks that can benefit and delight users. Thats why it's called application software as you are using theoretical scientific and mathematics knowledge to engineer real world solutions. In summary software engineers are magicians who don't wave wands like Harry Potter but instead write, test and deploy code to create the magic!
Michael Firth
engineer
3
Answers
Poquoson, Virginia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Software Engineering position allows for great flexibility. You can work remotely and somewhat on your own schedule. You get to work in IT without the burden of supporting the IT infrastructure in the 24 x 365 environment. These positions also allow you to get down in the weeds and identify areas of opportunity where you can make a real difference to the end users!
ETIENNE ISHIMWE
Software Engineer
5
Answers
Bydgoszcz, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
ETIENNE’s Answer
It depends on your motivations, but it is always a rewarding process of working on a project and see it grow like its your baby and have meaningful impact on other people's lives. Also the pay is really good, you get rewarded even tho you are having fun raising that baby.
Peter Lee
Senior Computer Scientist II (Software Engineer)
3
Answers
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Updated
Peter’s Answer
I've been writing software for many years. I think what I still love the most is solving problems. Every new feature or bug is like a puzzle - how can I make the computer do something new? Why isn't the software doing what I expect? How do I make it run faster, or make it easier for users to understand? I also like that I can break the work into small pieces, and quickly see each piece come together and start to work, instead of working on a huge project and having to wait until the end to see if it will work.
GIRISH KANDALGAONKAR
Consulting , Business Transformation, IT consulting
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
GIRISH’s Answer
A) Today the role of a software engineer has been re-engineered and has evolved a lot with the advent of the Cloud. There are many aspects that have changed and he software engineer has to have a holistic view about an application that serves the requirements of a consumer . So its no longer restricted to the language that you code in OR the efficient code that you develop but how the deliverable that you create will meet the needs of the client having Digital needs.
B) I feel the fun part is the diverse experience and enormous potential for your career:
1. You are not restricted to a Domain : You could develop a piece of application using your tool set for a Bank and the next could be school OR a blood bank OR Automobile OR space science.
2. Once you have a good grasp of the coding techniques and tricks , you can evolve around multiple tool-sets (read as programming language for ease) . So e.g. You can develop a customer interfacing application for a Bank , insurance , Super store , School library, Real estate agency , Road transportation and others.
C) What are the enablers ?
C1) Lot of learning avenues online : You can browse several learning avenues online and pick up basic skills
C2) Help at finger tips : There are communities for the tool sets you select. You can easily join a community and ADVANCE your skill sets.
C3) You are not fixed to a location OR physical space. You don't need a LAB to do the JOB. You can work from anywhere as long as you are connected to the Cloud . . .
Getting excited . . . please feel to contact / connect with me to learn more . . . Girish Ganesh Kandalgaonkar
B) I feel the fun part is the diverse experience and enormous potential for your career:
1. You are not restricted to a Domain : You could develop a piece of application using your tool set for a Bank and the next could be school OR a blood bank OR Automobile OR space science.
2. Once you have a good grasp of the coding techniques and tricks , you can evolve around multiple tool-sets (read as programming language for ease) . So e.g. You can develop a customer interfacing application for a Bank , insurance , Super store , School library, Real estate agency , Road transportation and others.
C) What are the enablers ?
C1) Lot of learning avenues online : You can browse several learning avenues online and pick up basic skills
C2) Help at finger tips : There are communities for the tool sets you select. You can easily join a community and ADVANCE your skill sets.
C3) You are not fixed to a location OR physical space. You don't need a LAB to do the JOB. You can work from anywhere as long as you are connected to the Cloud . . .
Getting excited . . . please feel to contact / connect with me to learn more . . . Girish Ganesh Kandalgaonkar
Tariq Choudhry
Software Engineer
2
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Tariq’s Answer
As a software engineer we get to design solutions for problems people are facing both simple and complex. In order to design a solution for a given need or a problem, you need to work with many stakeholders to ensure you are solving the right problem the right way.
As a software developer you get to see the product go from design to development and test to deployment and the feedback goes on for the life of the product.
As a software developer you get to see the product go from design to development and test to deployment and the feedback goes on for the life of the product.
Heather Mason
iOS Application Engineer
2
Answers
Richmond, Virginia
Updated
Heather’s Answer
I decided to pursue development/engineering because I liked the combination of creativity and problem-solving. It's rewarding to figure out the challenges you're working on both in the code and with the product you're working on for users. Seeing your work go live (even if it's just for you) feels rewarding.
While ramping up: The massive, supportive community I encountered while learning was an unexpected joy. I've made great friends at meet ups and community groups. Companies often host events, providing food, access to their office space, and/or swag.
In the field: Tech roles so far have paid significantly more for significantly less stress than other fields I've worked in. So far many of my tech roles have had more opportunities for fun breaks and team bonding throughout the day, week, or quarter (from foosball tables to team outings). The offices have been fun but it's also a field that offers a lot of freedom to work remotely and allow travel.
Test the water by taking a course! There are lots of free/cheap options
While ramping up: The massive, supportive community I encountered while learning was an unexpected joy. I've made great friends at meet ups and community groups. Companies often host events, providing food, access to their office space, and/or swag.
In the field: Tech roles so far have paid significantly more for significantly less stress than other fields I've worked in. So far many of my tech roles have had more opportunities for fun breaks and team bonding throughout the day, week, or quarter (from foosball tables to team outings). The offices have been fun but it's also a field that offers a lot of freedom to work remotely and allow travel.
Heather recommends the following next steps:
Well said . . . lot of good advice for all
GIRISH KANDALGAONKAR