8 answers
Jane
Student
Alabama, NY
1
Question
Asked
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How ? I studied mechanical engineering but thinking of transitioning into software engineering any advice for me on how I go about that. I’m sure with your guidance it will be successful.
I studied mechanical engineering but thinking of transitioning into software engineering any advice for me on how I go about that. I’m sure with your guidance it will be successful.
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8 answers
Anju Mathew
Business Technology Analyst
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anju’s Answer
Hi Jane,
I think a lot of the previous answers gave excellent advice! I'm mainly going to be re-iterating what might have already been said with maybe one or two new points. I definitely think moving your career towards software engineering is possible, but you'll have to do a lot of the heavy lifting on your own. For one, you'll need to make sure you have an excellent foundation when it comes to coding. With a mechanical engineering degree there are a lot of skills that overlap, but the coding you have been exposed to thus far probably won't be sufficient. Khan academy is a great free resource to learn databases, algorithms, and other core foundational computer science skills. There are great paid resources out there as well if you want a more structured way of learning.
I would also recommend doing some personal project and maybe a portfolio to showcase what you can create. Other than that, curate your resume to be tailored to a software engineering job and fine tune your interview skills!
You'll definitely learn a lot once you start a SWE job, but making sure you have a decent foundation will not only help you with any coding interviews, but also give you added confidence about being able to do your work.
Good luck!
I think a lot of the previous answers gave excellent advice! I'm mainly going to be re-iterating what might have already been said with maybe one or two new points. I definitely think moving your career towards software engineering is possible, but you'll have to do a lot of the heavy lifting on your own. For one, you'll need to make sure you have an excellent foundation when it comes to coding. With a mechanical engineering degree there are a lot of skills that overlap, but the coding you have been exposed to thus far probably won't be sufficient. Khan academy is a great free resource to learn databases, algorithms, and other core foundational computer science skills. There are great paid resources out there as well if you want a more structured way of learning.
I would also recommend doing some personal project and maybe a portfolio to showcase what you can create. Other than that, curate your resume to be tailored to a software engineering job and fine tune your interview skills!
You'll definitely learn a lot once you start a SWE job, but making sure you have a decent foundation will not only help you with any coding interviews, but also give you added confidence about being able to do your work.
Good luck!
Yesenia Salazar
Profesor Primaria
30
Answers
Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
Updated
Yesenia’s Answer
Greetings, dear Jane. Making the transition from mechanical engineering to software engineering is a significant change, but with your engineering background, you already have a solid foundation for analytical thinking and problem solving. Here are some steps that could help you in this process: Learn the fundamentals: Start with the basics of programming. You can choose a language like Python, Java, or C++, which are common in software engineering.
Formal education or self-study: Consider taking a formal course in software engineering or following a self-study path through online resources.
Hands-on projects: Work on personal projects or contribute to open source projects to gain hands-on experience.
Understand software development: Familiarize yourself with the software development lifecycle, including planning, design, coding, testing, and maintenance.
Tools and technologies: Learn to use essential tools such as version control systems (Git), integrated development environments (IDEs) and databases.
Build a Portfolio: Create an online portfolio of your projects and contributions to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Networks and community: Join developer communities, attend meetups and conferences to network and learn from others.
Certifications: Obtaining certifications can be useful to validate your skills and knowledge in specific areas of software engineering.
Continuing Education: Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the field of software engineering.
Interview Preparation: Practice common programming interview problems and familiarize yourself with the technical questions that are commonly asked.
Remember that the transition may take time and effort, but with dedication and practice, you can achieve it. I wish you much success in your career change to software engineering! Fondly. Yesenia
Formal education or self-study: Consider taking a formal course in software engineering or following a self-study path through online resources.
Hands-on projects: Work on personal projects or contribute to open source projects to gain hands-on experience.
Understand software development: Familiarize yourself with the software development lifecycle, including planning, design, coding, testing, and maintenance.
Tools and technologies: Learn to use essential tools such as version control systems (Git), integrated development environments (IDEs) and databases.
Build a Portfolio: Create an online portfolio of your projects and contributions to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Networks and community: Join developer communities, attend meetups and conferences to network and learn from others.
Certifications: Obtaining certifications can be useful to validate your skills and knowledge in specific areas of software engineering.
Continuing Education: Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the field of software engineering.
Interview Preparation: Practice common programming interview problems and familiarize yourself with the technical questions that are commonly asked.
Remember that the transition may take time and effort, but with dedication and practice, you can achieve it. I wish you much success in your career change to software engineering! Fondly. Yesenia
David Allen
Consultant
30
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Transitioning from mechanical engineering to software engineering is a feasible and rewarding path, especially given the transferable skills you likely already possess, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical abilities. To make a successful transition, start by identifying your specific interests within software engineering, whether it's web development, mobile app development, data science, or another area. Research the skills and technologies commonly used in your chosen field and begin learning them through online courses, tutorials, and practical projects. Leverage your background in engineering to approach software development with a systematic and detail-oriented mindset, which will serve you well in writing clean, efficient code and debugging complex problems.
Networking and building connections within the software engineering community can also be invaluable in your transition. Attend tech meetups, conferences, and workshops to meet professionals in the field, seek mentorship, and gain insights into industry trends and best practices. Consider participating in coding bootcamps or enrolling in formal education programs to accelerate your learning and gain credibility as a software engineer. Lastly, don't be afraid to showcase your unique perspective and problem-solving abilities as a mechanical engineer-turned-software engineer; your diverse background can be a strength in this dynamic and interdisciplinary field. With dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach, you can successfully transition into a fulfilling career in software engineering.
Networking and building connections within the software engineering community can also be invaluable in your transition. Attend tech meetups, conferences, and workshops to meet professionals in the field, seek mentorship, and gain insights into industry trends and best practices. Consider participating in coding bootcamps or enrolling in formal education programs to accelerate your learning and gain credibility as a software engineer. Lastly, don't be afraid to showcase your unique perspective and problem-solving abilities as a mechanical engineer-turned-software engineer; your diverse background can be a strength in this dynamic and interdisciplinary field. With dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach, you can successfully transition into a fulfilling career in software engineering.
Maryam Arabshahi
Customer Success Manager
1
Answer
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Maryam’s Answer
Changing your field from mechanical Eng to Software Eng is possible because you have strong background in mathematics and engineering. One advice would be to do your research about which field of software engineering you want to continue your education in. With introduction of AI, the future might look different for careers in software engineering or security or support. My suggestion would be to spend some time to think about the career you want to have considering the new changes with AI. And in the end, be prepared with an open mind to work in a completely new field or with a new technology when you finish your studies. This is a very dynamic industry that changes all the time.
Ryan Walsh
Software Developer
16
Answers
Oviedo, Florida
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Jane, looks like you already have a bunch of answers, but I would still like to chime in. Transitioning from mechanical engineering to software engineering is a viable and rewarding path, given your strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Start by learning programming languages commonly used in software engineering, such as Python, Java, or JavaScript, through online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or freeCodeCamp. Build a portfolio of projects to demonstrate your coding skills and understanding of software development principles. Engage in open-source projects and internships to gain practical experience. Networking with professionals in the field through LinkedIn or attending industry meetups can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Additionally, consider obtaining certifications in specific areas of interest, such as web development or data science, to bolster your credentials. Your background in engineering will give you a unique perspective and edge in tackling complex software problems.
Tasha Frazier
Software Sales
29
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Tasha’s Answer
Hi, Jane. This is a common practice because the world changes and so do opportunities.
My personal experience is that I studied chemical engineering, earning both undergrad and graduate degrees. My first job was engineering, but not really chemical engineering -- more like ceramic engineering. I did that for a few years and was able to interact with different employees and clients, at which point I realized sales was probably a better fit for me than engineering.
When I made my first pivot into sales, I did so by focusing on selling the microelectronics products that I had previously been engineering. That made the leap less daunting, and gave me additional credibility with my clients. Then a few years later, I leveraged that sales experience to move into software sales. Over the last 25 years, I've done that numerous times: changed career paths slightly by taking on a new role that has a lot of new along with some familiarity.
In that vein, I would recommend you focus on finding a role that allows you, as a mechanical engineer, to work with software engineers on a project. In parallel, you can take classes and gain certifications in software engineering. At some point, you'll be ready to be the software engineer working with mechanical engineers (because you will speak their language) and after several years you will likely be able to move into an area of software engineering that isn't tied to mechanical engineering. Good luck!
My personal experience is that I studied chemical engineering, earning both undergrad and graduate degrees. My first job was engineering, but not really chemical engineering -- more like ceramic engineering. I did that for a few years and was able to interact with different employees and clients, at which point I realized sales was probably a better fit for me than engineering.
When I made my first pivot into sales, I did so by focusing on selling the microelectronics products that I had previously been engineering. That made the leap less daunting, and gave me additional credibility with my clients. Then a few years later, I leveraged that sales experience to move into software sales. Over the last 25 years, I've done that numerous times: changed career paths slightly by taking on a new role that has a lot of new along with some familiarity.
In that vein, I would recommend you focus on finding a role that allows you, as a mechanical engineer, to work with software engineers on a project. In parallel, you can take classes and gain certifications in software engineering. At some point, you'll be ready to be the software engineer working with mechanical engineers (because you will speak their language) and after several years you will likely be able to move into an area of software engineering that isn't tied to mechanical engineering. Good luck!
Navnit Jindal
Information Technology Executive
1
Answer
Laurel, Maryland
Updated
Navnit’s Answer
Lots of great answers.
One thing I would like to add is that you should be clear on "WHY" you want to make the switch to software engineering. Any transition can be challenging but if you can convince yourself that it is the right thing for you to do then go for it.
I will share my experience with transitioning to IT. During my school days, when I was introduced to programming, it did not make much sense. I continued to learn as much as I could to get more comfortable with programming. I started doing small projects on the side to expand my knowledge. The more I explored and practiced, I was able to add complexity to my projects. In addition, I took some online courses and prepared for certifications to add structure to my learning journey.
I wish you all the very best for your future.
Cheers,
Navnit
One thing I would like to add is that you should be clear on "WHY" you want to make the switch to software engineering. Any transition can be challenging but if you can convince yourself that it is the right thing for you to do then go for it.
I will share my experience with transitioning to IT. During my school days, when I was introduced to programming, it did not make much sense. I continued to learn as much as I could to get more comfortable with programming. I started doing small projects on the side to expand my knowledge. The more I explored and practiced, I was able to add complexity to my projects. In addition, I took some online courses and prepared for certifications to add structure to my learning journey.
I wish you all the very best for your future.
Cheers,
Navnit
Bhuvaneswari Thangavelu
Software Engineer
4
Answers
Parker, Colorado
Updated
Bhuvaneswari’s Answer
I encourage you to ponder over the transition thoroughly before making a decision. It may not be a walk in the park, but it's not insurmountable either. You've got this! My advice would be to master one programming language thoroughly and undertake a few minor projects. This will boost your confidence significantly.