How to become a Software Engineer

Becoming a Software Engineer is an in-demand career path. It requires deep expertise in Software Engineering and a strong network to carry you along. Here are some resources to help you on your journey.

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Why should you become a
Software Engineer?

Demand for experts in Software Engineering is growing rapidly. Companies are looking for people with deep expertise in the field of Software Engineering to help them build their products and services.

As a result, Software Engineers are in high demand and command high salaries. According to leading sources, the median salary for a Software Engineer is $140,000 and a senior Software Engineer can earn up to $160,000. Even entry-level positions can command great salaries.

No wonder that interest in a career in Software Engineering is growing rapidly. Explore the resources below to learn more about how to become a Software Engineer.

Software Engineer

Your Software Engineer Journey

Everything you need to start your career in Software Engineering.

Best books to build Software Engineering understanding

A well-written and thorough book can be an amazing path to build deeper understanding and also act as a handbook as you discover the internet's vast resources.

These are our and our experts top picks to get started building career-relevant skills.

Pragmatic Programmer

Pragmatic Programmer

At least today, code is our door to building algorithms and complex Machine Learning systems. If you want to invest in becoming a more proficient Machine Learning professional faster, investing in code skills is the way to do so.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems

Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems

Data is at the center of many challenges in system design today. Difficult issues need to be figured out, such as scalability, consistency, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability. In addition, we have an overwhelming variety of tools, including relational databases, NoSQL datastores, strea…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Building a Career in Software: A Comprehensive Guide to Success in the Software Industry

Building a Career in Software: A Comprehensive Guide to Success in the Software Industry

Software engineering education has a problem: universities and bootcamps teach aspiring engineers to write code, but they leave graduates to teach themselves the countless supporting tools required to thrive in real software companies. Building a Career in Software is the solution, a comprehensi…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Staff Engineer: Leadership Beyond the Management Track

Staff Engineer: Leadership Beyond the Management Track

At most technology companies, you'll reach Senior software engineer, the career level for software engineers, in five to eight years. At the career level, your company's career ladder won't require that you work towards the next promotion; being promoted further is an exception rather than expec…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Clean Code

Clean Code

Even bad code can function. But if code isn’t clean, it can bring a development organization to its knees. Every year, countless hours and significant resources are lost because of poorly written code. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Noted software expert Robert C. Martin, presents a revolut…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

The Mythical Man-Month

The Mythical Man-Month

Few books on software project management have been as influential and timeless as The Mythical Man-Month. With a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions, Fred Brooks offers insight for anyone managing complex projects. These essays draw from his experience as project m…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Courses to deepen your Software Engineering skills

These days, courses are no longer a sequence of videos. They are usually accompanied by projects and a learning community, keeping you accountable and on the path.

Our experts recommend these courses, from free selections to paid programs.

API in C#: The Best Practices of Design and Implementation

This course is aimed at all the C# developers, from beginners to seniors. Topics which are covered in the course are relevant for all kinds of C# developers since all developers design and implement APIs. The topics complexity is very different. There are plenty of very simple topics, and at the…

Available on udemy.com

Professional Software Developer Certification

This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in the following four key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing and the successful c…

Available on computer.org

Software Engineering

This course is for anyone who wants to learn software and its processes or Who is interested in computer science and for everyone who is enrolled in the computer science field
This course is going to help students in their academic as well as competitive examinations.
I have made the use o…

Available on udemy.com

Automation Test Engineer

This automation test engineer training program is designed to provide you with a complete knowledge of software testing technologies such as Selenium Web Driver, TestNG, Maven, AutoIT, Selenium Grid, Appium, and Docker to help you build a robust testing framework.

Available on simplilearn.com

Get help with your learning journey

Learning through online courses can be challenging. Get 1:1 guidance from an experienced mentor who can help you stay accountable and answer your questions along the way.

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Over nine months you’ll learn job-ready full-stack skills. You’ll work through smaller projects and assessments that reinforce your learnings of front-end and back-end development. Plus, you’ll learn to collaborate with generative AI and code smarter, faster with a new AI learning unit.

Available on springboard.com

CSSLP – Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional

Earning the globally recognized CSSLP secure software development certification is a proven way to build your career and better incorporate security practices into each phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
CSSLP certification recognizes leading application security skills. It s…

Available on isc2.org

Reach goals faster with long-term guidance

Reach goals faster with long-term guidance

One-off advice can be helpful – but partnering with a dedicated expert means faster decisions, fewer mistakes, and real momentum on your most important projects.

Save money with targeted expertise

Save money with targeted expertise

Instead of dropping thousands on bootcamps or generic tools, you get curated advice, tailored learning plans, and real accountability – all from someone who's already done what you're trying to do.

Stay on track with regular check-ins

Stay on track with regular check-ins

Weekly or monthly sessions give structure to your growth. No more second-guessing or getting stuck – just small, consistent steps toward real progress, with someone keeping you accountable.

Make confident moves with real-world feedback

Make confident moves with real-world feedback

Experts don't just answer questions – they help you practice interviews, review your resume or portfolio, and offer industry-specific insights you won't get from a course or blog post.

Still not convinced? Don't just take our word for it

We've already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they've left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.

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