What is Software Engineering?
Software engineering is the systematic design, development, testing, maintenance, and documentation of computer software. The goal of software engineering is to produce high-quality software that meets the requirements of users or clients while adhering to specific constraints, such as budget, time, and available resources. This field is essential because software plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of modern life, powering everything from computer applications and mobile apps to embedded systems and large-scale enterprise solutions.
Key aspects of software engineering include:
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Requirements Engineering: This involves gathering and analyzing the needs and expectations of users and stakeholders to define the functionalities and features the software should have.
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Design: The software design phase involves creating a detailed plan or blueprint for how the software will be structured and how its components will interact with each other.
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Implementation: In this phase, developers write the actual code to implement the design and turn it into a working software product.
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Testing: Rigorous testing is done to identify and fix bugs, errors, and issues in the software to ensure it functions correctly and reliably.
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Maintenance: After the software is deployed, it requires ongoing maintenance to fix bugs, add new features, update functionality, and ensure it remains compatible with the evolving environment.
What Programming Languages Do Software Engineers Use?
Software engineers use a wide range of tools and programming languages to develop, test, and maintain software applications. The specific tools and languages they use can vary depending on the project requirements and the type of software being developed. Some common programming languages include Java, Python, Javascript, C#, and C++.
How to Get Started in Software Engineering in College
While you don’t have to do the Elements of Computing certificate or be a Computer Science major to get into the tech field, many of our students interested in technical careers choose one of these options if it fits with their graduation plan. There are many different ways to build up your software engineering skill set and experience at UT while you are completing your undergraduate degree. The list below shows some ways you can get started!
Tech-Related Degrees in CNS
You don't necessarily need a particular degree to go into the field of software engineering, but these are the most relevant undergraduate majors in the College of Natural Sciences for a career in tech:
Elements of Computing Certificate
Any degree at UT can be supplemented by the Elements of Computing Certificate to learn computer science and software engineering-related technical skills.
Check out these handouts to see our alumni data on the internships and job titles for the Elements of Computing certificate:
Teach Yourself Software Engineering Skills
You can also level up your software engineering skills on your own by participating in professional development courses free to all UT students:
See more options on our Skill Development & Certifications page.
Technical Student Organizations
Joining an organization can help you not only with connecting with other students interested in tech, but also with networking with companies and participating in projects. Being a Computer Science major is not required!
- EGaDs: For students interested in game development and design, this organization arranges workshops, Game Jams and meetings with career professionals.
- Freetail Hackers: Plans several hackathons each year, including HackTX, a 24-hour hackathon event for UT students.
- Information and Systems Security Society (ISSS): Teaches students about security and privacy through talks, workshops, and Capture the Flag competitions.
- Texas Convergent: An organization which focuses on the intersection of technology, business and design.
- Texas Product Engineering: Teaches students of all majors to build, design and launch software products to solve real-world problems in the Austin community. Includes semesters long courses in full-stack engineering, UI/UX design and product management.
Diversity Technical Student Organizations
The following organizations provide an inclusive community within the Computer Science department:
- Association of Black Computer Scientists (ABCS): Seeks to create paths to educational and professional success in computer science for Black and other underrepresented students.
- Hispanic Association of Computer Scientists (HACS): Seeks to empower Hispanic students by providing opportunities to engage in leadership, networking and mentoring with peers, faculty and professionals in the area of computer science.
- Q++: Promotes academic success, social enrichment and community building for LGBTQ+ people in tech at UT.
- Women in Computer Science (WiCS): A group of individuals who work to empower women in computer science and provide a supportive community to engage in both academic and social events.
Resources Outside of CNS
While the College of Natural Sciences has many tools to help its students be successful, they are not exhaustive and there any many more resources outside of CNS that can aid in preparation for becoming a leader in the field of tech.
Free Coding Courses
If you’re interested in taking additional courses to gain technical skills, the resources below are great (and free!) options to start learning how to code on your schedule.
- CodePath: Offers classes such as Cybersecurity and Hacking, iOS, Android, and interview prep boot camps. Also offers a career fair exclusively for participants.
- EdX: Offers classes such as Intro to Python, Intro to Data Science, and Front-End Development taught by top schools and fortune 500 companies.
- Learn to Code Austin: Local organization that hosts events, workshops, panels and speaking events. Some examples of workshops are: Intro to HTML and CSS, Intro to JavaScript, Intro to Git and GitHub.
- Udemy: Udemy has paid courses, but we highly suggest checking out the free courses they offer. They also offer completion certificates that you can add to resumes or your LinkedIn profile.
Industry Advice
In addition, learn more about how others navigated their internships. Here are some popular YouTube Channels and resources to get you started:
- CS Dojo: Video series such as “Python Tutorials for Absolute Beginners”, and has experience working at Google and Microsoft.
- Tech with Tim: Learn programming, software engineering, machine learning and everything tech from this channel with a special emphasis on python and JavaScript.
- MrVoid: A UT student who has worked at Google, Facebook, Microsoft and EA shares his experiences at these companies in addition to advice on how to land an offer.
Hackathons
Hackathons are a great way to put your skills to the test and solve problems with your technical skills. If there is a hackathon you are interested in, but is out of state, we suggest checking if they have travel stipends, which can cover housing, transportation and meals while there.
- HackTX: An annual hackathon at the University of Texas at Austin for students of any major to come together and come up with creative solutions using technology. They are beginner-friendly and have plenty of mentors and workshops to guide you!
- Major League Hacking (MLH): The official student hackathon league. Each year, they make over 200 weekend-long invention competitions that inspire innovation, cultivate communities and teach computer science skills.
- South by Southwest (SXSW): The annual SXSW Hackathon hosts hackers, creators, makers and coders who will collaborate and compete using AI, XR, voice activation, blockchain, analytics, video and more to create new solutions.
Check out our Sprints, Competitions and Mini-Experiences page for more options.
Conferences
Conferences are a great way to network with companies and connect with other professionals in your field. Although most conferences require a fee to attend, there are sometimes scholarships available through the conferences as well as through companies.
- Game Developers Conference (GDC): Brings the game development community together to exchange ideas, solve problems and shape the future of the industry across five days of education, inspiration and networking. Attendees include programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals and business leaders.
- Grace Hopper: Designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront.
- South by Southwest (SXSW): SXSW offers a variety of tracks that allow attendees to explore what’s next in the worlds of film, culture, music and technology. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.
- Tapia: Brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Technical Fellowships
For additional support outside of campus, these fellowships offer workshops, mentors and networking opportunities for participants.
- Code2040 Fellows Program: This 10-week career accelerator works with Black and Latinx college-level computer science students from around the country in an intensive summer in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and New York City.
- CyberCorps, Scholarship for Service (SFS) program (Computer Science majors only): A grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support students pursuing the Cybersecurity Concentration and have a desire to use the skills gained through the program by working as an information assurance professional for a government entity.
- Lightspeed Venture Partners Summer Fellowships: Offers 10-week summer fellowships to support entrepreneurship and innovation among highly motivated engineering and computer science students.
- Management Leadership for Tomorrow: Provides Fellows with a winning professional playbook, 18 months of one-on-one coaching, and an accelerating network of 8,000 MLT Rising Leaders.
- Rewriting the Code: For self-identifying women undergraduates studying computer science and engineering who are interested in gaining applied experience through potential internships or full-time jobs with leading tech companies.
Preparing Your Technical Resume
The first step in the technical recruiting process is to apply and submit your resume. Check out our general resume resources and technical resume example to guide your resume writing and formatting.
- General Resume Resources
- How to Write Strong Bullet Points for Technical Resumes Guide
- Technical Resume Example
Add Personal Coding Projects to Your Resume
Projects are a good way to practice your coding skills, learn how to use different technical tools, and impress recruiters before you've landed your first technical internship. Check out our guide to developing your own technical projects to show off your skills on your resume!
If you've already completed some technical projects in class or on your own but you don't know how to add them to your resume, check out our resume resources above for help adding them to your resume properly.
Job and Internship Search
Our #1 job and internship search tool is Handshake. Handshake is an all-inclusive job board where UT Austin students and alumni can connect with local, national and global employers offering career-oriented opportunities and internships, as well as employer events and career fairs. Check out our resources below for additional tech-specific job boards.
Job & Internship Search Tools
- GitHub Repository for Summer 2024 Internships - Crowdsourced by students and for students, this repository is our #1 recommendation to find tech internships each year.
- Dice: One of the largest tech job boards; create an account and search for positions, gain access to personalized salary information and more.
Preparing for Technical Interviews
Software engineering interviews are designed to assess candidates' quantitative and qualitative prowess and as such typically consist of a behavioral/situational interview and a technical interview. Our Tech Peer Coaching Team also provides Technical Interview Prep appointments during the Fall and Spring semesters. Check out our Interview Prep Guides for our top tips, tricks, and resources to help you prepare.
Advice for Specific Fields
These fields can be more competitive than general Software Development/Software Engineering roles. It is usually recommended to have projects/assignments which can highlight your skills in these areas.
Cybersecurity
The most used languages in this field are JavaScript, HTML, Python and C.
UT Austin Programs to add to your Bachelors:
- Inventors Program — Offers courses such as: Cybersecurity with Trend Micro
- CS Cybersecurity Concentration (Computer Science Majors Only)
Disclaimer: See your academic advisor about whether the above options would be a good fit for you and your degree.
Recommended Resource:
- Grant Collins: Has video series on a Cybersecurity Python Project and a Career Series
Game Development
The most used languages in this field are C++, C# and Java. Some common engines are Unity and Unreal Engine which are also free to download.
UT Austin Programs to add to your Bachelor’s:
- CS Game Development Concentration
- Digital Arts & Media BDP — Students in Digital Arts & Media may earn their certificates with an emphasis in game development.
Disclaimer: See your academic advisor about whether the above options would be a good fit for you and your degree.
Recommended Resources:
- Crowdsourced Animation/VFX/Gaming Industry Job Postings (2023)
- For game ideas and free art to use in games: Itch.io.
- Brackeys: Game development tutorials on everything from Unity and programming to game design. If you want to become a developer this channel will help guide you through it!