Software Engineer - Career Exploration for Teens!

Summary

In this video, James Anderson, Vice President at 365 Retail Markets, shares his journey from a creative background in art and graphic design to becoming a successful software engineer. With over 20 years of experience, he highlights the importance of creativity, learning, and adaptability in the tech industry. He discusses his diverse career across multiple sectors, the challenges of assembling software engineering teams, and the growing demand for tech professionals. James also emphasizes the potential for career growth, good salaries, and alternative educational paths, offering valuable insights for those entering the software engineering field.

Takeaways

• 😀 Software engineering is a growing and challenging field that requires strong analytical and creative skills.
• 😀 Creativity is an important trait for success in software engineering, as shown by James Anderson’s journey from art and graphic design to tech.
• 😀 A love for learning and exploring new technology is crucial for long-term success in the tech industry.
• 😀 Self-learning programming languages like JavaScript can be essential for those wanting to develop interactive web pages and pursue software development.
• 😀 James Anderson’s career highlights the importance of versatility and adaptability in software engineering, having worked across various industries like banking, healthcare, and manufacturing.
• 😀 Successful software engineers are those who enjoy learning new things, as technology is constantly evolving.
• 😀 Recruiting talent in software engineering can be challenging, but creating partnerships with HR and universities can help build a strong talent pipeline.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic has made remote work more common in the tech industry, with many software engineers working virtually from different states.
• 😀 Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers earn a competitive median salary, and job opportunities in the field are expected to grow significantly by 2030.
• 😀 A college degree is not always necessary to enter the software industry, as many can start by working in entry-level positions and gaining experience before advancing.
• 😀 For those entering college, scholarships and community colleges are cost-effective ways to reduce educational expenses while still preparing for a career in software engineering.

Q & A

What does James Anderson do at 365 Retail Markets?

James Anderson is a vice president at 365 Retail Markets, a Michigan-based software engineering company, where he works on building and managing technology teams and projects.

How did James Anderson get into software engineering?

James initially pursued a creative path, studying art and graphic design in college. Over time, he transitioned into technology by teaching himself programming languages like JavaScript and working with small businesses to build websites.

What is the role of creativity in being a successful software engineer, according to James?

James emphasizes that creativity is an important component of being a successful software engineer, as it helps in problem-solving and adapting to new technologies.

What did James learn about the challenges of being self-employed in the tech field?

James found that getting clients to pay for his work was a major challenge when he was self-employed. He learned the importance of not just being good at the work itself, but also at selling and collecting payments.

What industries has James worked in throughout his career?

James has worked in various industries, including manufacturing, banking, credit unions, insurance, healthcare, and staffing, gaining exposure to a wide range of technologies.

What factor does James believe is crucial to success in the software industry?

James believes that a love of learning new things is crucial to success in the software industry. Technology is constantly evolving, and those who enjoy learning and adapting tend to thrive.

How did James tackle the challenge of assembling a software engineering team at an insurance company?

James worked with his team leads and HR to recruit directly from college campuses, which was successful in building a talent pipeline and finding skilled software engineers.

What was a significant challenge James faced as a vice president during the Covid pandemic?

During the Covid pandemic, James faced the challenge of assembling a team while working remotely. He successfully recruited people from various states, making his team completely virtual.

What is the median salary for software developers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the median salary for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers in 2020 was $110,140 per year, or $52.95 per hour.

Is a college degree necessary to become a software engineer, and what career path can someone take if they don't have one?

A college degree is not strictly necessary to become a software engineer. While it's common to start in entry-level roles like admin or help desk, individuals can work their way up by gaining certifications and experience, eventually moving into software development roles.

What advice did James give for completing college on a budget?

James advises students to seek out scholarships and consider attending a community college for the first year, ensuring that credits transfer to a four-year university, to save money while completing the basics of their education.