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I want to explore and see if I want to become a software Engineer
I am in my 11th grade at westview high school. I am months away for my #college-admissions . Not sure what I want to become. #software-engineer is an area I explored that I can get a job easily anywhere. So I want to know more about it.
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Jon’s Answer
Do you like solving logic puzzles?
Do you find yourself reading and diving deep into technical articles on the web?
Have you ever tried to build a piece of software (i.e. just build a MS Access database and run some sql)?
If you can, download some open source software (i.e. say Python), install it and run through some examples.
If that went went, write your own POC (proof of concept). Pick a problem that you feel you could solve with the POC. Be creative!
When you get done with the POC and you find yourself thinking the whole process exhilarating and your just wanted to explore and learn more... congrats.. you've found the right career!
Do you find yourself reading and diving deep into technical articles on the web?
Have you ever tried to build a piece of software (i.e. just build a MS Access database and run some sql)?
If you can, download some open source software (i.e. say Python), install it and run through some examples.
If that went went, write your own POC (proof of concept). Pick a problem that you feel you could solve with the POC. Be creative!
When you get done with the POC and you find yourself thinking the whole process exhilarating and your just wanted to explore and learn more... congrats.. you've found the right career!
Updated
Liz’s Answer
Hi Aditya,
Deciding what you want to do is a tough one, but I want to let you know the decision is never final. I personally had a tough time figuring it out--I took aptitude tests through my university career department and spoke to the career counselor, but I still wasn't sure. It felt like if I didn't know right away, I would be behind! What it came down to for me what really stopping and thinking about what I enjoy doing. Positive psychology has a concept of "flow state", one of the five aspects of life fulfillment and happiness. Flow state is when you lose track of time and start to feel immersed in the work. Your brain and/or your body is fully engaged and--even if it is work--there is a sense you are in "flow." Does this sound familiar?
If it doesn't, then I suggest trying more things. If you feel overwhelmed, set a goal that you will try to explore one career in the next month (or two!). Then, actually try the thing.
So, to try the thing, I recommend an online learning platform (like CodeAcademy, for example, which has free and paid options). When I was interesting in SWE (Software Engineering) work, I got the advice to "decide what you want to make, then figure out how to make it." For me personally, that wasn't helpful. Articles online are most often aimed at other people whom have started in the industry, and it felt like I was reading gibberish. It wasn't conducive to learning! With a learning platform, you don't have to set up a local dev environment yet and can start to get a feel for the learning you will have to do. (If not CodeAcademy, try searching for "learn coding free online for high school students" or something related.)
I started learning with Python language because it is considered human-readable (English) and it is an interpreted language with "garbage collection". College classes often start with Java, because it is a compiled language that establishes understanding of important core concepts. I say, start with Python. If you get some concepts down and want to keep going, then search for a tutorial to make a first web app. Flask is one of the easier server-side framework to understand, but there are many many options now, like Node.js.
There are so many careers out there that I wish I knew were options when I was in high school, so it is never a bad idea to talk to people and explore LinkedIn (informational interviews are a good tool here). It is hard to understand what people in a career actually DO all day, and if you would enjoy it. I switched to this industry in my 30s and didn't really "know" what it was like to be an SWE all day, every day, until I was doing it. It involves getting stuck a lot, and trying lots of different things to solve a problem. It involves handling ambiguity well, because there is often no "one right way" to get something done. It involves being able to give feedback to your teammates and take feedback well, and handling different personalities in your midst (sometimes only one person understands how some of your code base works!). It involves a dexterity of the mind, to be able to understand syntax/concepts across languages and environments, as well as constant learning. And most of all, it involves a desire to make things that people use.
I admire your practicality about choosing a career, and it also influenced my decision. I enjoy many types of work, but being an SWE allowed me to create financial stability, ensure ongoing opportunities in this growing field, and use my mind every day. Much easier to gain employment there than as an actor, for example. Write out your priorities for what you want, and keep those in mind.
Feel free to apply to schools with Software Engineering as your major--you can always change it later! My father got an Economics degree, but is now an orchestra conductor (this speaks to the privilege of his opportunities, but also trying to point out that change is possible). My mother, in contrast, knew what she wanted to do at the age of 5--I have been so jealous of that! But ultimately, making that choice is not closing a door (even if it has some sunk cost). There is no career you can enter that won't add some skills to your tool belt, and coding is a great skill to pull into other careers if you make that choice later. Good luck!
Start learning on an online coding platform
Reach out to people in the industries you are considering via LinkedIn--many people are happy to do an informational interview synchronously or asynchronously.
Make a list of your career priorities and other careers you are considering. What do they have in common?
(optional) Try to do a small project. Make an app, a program, or get an idea online. This will involve starting to code in a development environment on your machine, so it may feel challenging at the outset. There are some online resources to walk you through this, step by step. If you don't have computer access at home, talk to your school about resources for computers.
Deciding what you want to do is a tough one, but I want to let you know the decision is never final. I personally had a tough time figuring it out--I took aptitude tests through my university career department and spoke to the career counselor, but I still wasn't sure. It felt like if I didn't know right away, I would be behind! What it came down to for me what really stopping and thinking about what I enjoy doing. Positive psychology has a concept of "flow state", one of the five aspects of life fulfillment and happiness. Flow state is when you lose track of time and start to feel immersed in the work. Your brain and/or your body is fully engaged and--even if it is work--there is a sense you are in "flow." Does this sound familiar?
If it doesn't, then I suggest trying more things. If you feel overwhelmed, set a goal that you will try to explore one career in the next month (or two!). Then, actually try the thing.
So, to try the thing, I recommend an online learning platform (like CodeAcademy, for example, which has free and paid options). When I was interesting in SWE (Software Engineering) work, I got the advice to "decide what you want to make, then figure out how to make it." For me personally, that wasn't helpful. Articles online are most often aimed at other people whom have started in the industry, and it felt like I was reading gibberish. It wasn't conducive to learning! With a learning platform, you don't have to set up a local dev environment yet and can start to get a feel for the learning you will have to do. (If not CodeAcademy, try searching for "learn coding free online for high school students" or something related.)
I started learning with Python language because it is considered human-readable (English) and it is an interpreted language with "garbage collection". College classes often start with Java, because it is a compiled language that establishes understanding of important core concepts. I say, start with Python. If you get some concepts down and want to keep going, then search for a tutorial to make a first web app. Flask is one of the easier server-side framework to understand, but there are many many options now, like Node.js.
There are so many careers out there that I wish I knew were options when I was in high school, so it is never a bad idea to talk to people and explore LinkedIn (informational interviews are a good tool here). It is hard to understand what people in a career actually DO all day, and if you would enjoy it. I switched to this industry in my 30s and didn't really "know" what it was like to be an SWE all day, every day, until I was doing it. It involves getting stuck a lot, and trying lots of different things to solve a problem. It involves handling ambiguity well, because there is often no "one right way" to get something done. It involves being able to give feedback to your teammates and take feedback well, and handling different personalities in your midst (sometimes only one person understands how some of your code base works!). It involves a dexterity of the mind, to be able to understand syntax/concepts across languages and environments, as well as constant learning. And most of all, it involves a desire to make things that people use.
I admire your practicality about choosing a career, and it also influenced my decision. I enjoy many types of work, but being an SWE allowed me to create financial stability, ensure ongoing opportunities in this growing field, and use my mind every day. Much easier to gain employment there than as an actor, for example. Write out your priorities for what you want, and keep those in mind.
Feel free to apply to schools with Software Engineering as your major--you can always change it later! My father got an Economics degree, but is now an orchestra conductor (this speaks to the privilege of his opportunities, but also trying to point out that change is possible). My mother, in contrast, knew what she wanted to do at the age of 5--I have been so jealous of that! But ultimately, making that choice is not closing a door (even if it has some sunk cost). There is no career you can enter that won't add some skills to your tool belt, and coding is a great skill to pull into other careers if you make that choice later. Good luck!
Liz recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
In addition to what Sripriya said, there's a number of free online courses to help learn coding. Taking one of those could help you determine if it is for you or not.
Khan academy has some basic JavaScript lessons. Search Google for "free code academy" to find others.
Look into https://www.freecodecamp.org/
Khan academy has some basic JavaScript lessons. Search Google for "free code academy" to find others.
Aaron recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Software Engineering is a lucrative selection for long-term employment. After learning code; finishing up your schooling you will enter the Software Engineering field only to face fairly steep competition. Depending on your education level , you should fall into place somewhere.
There are many slots to fit in. So-Cal has many, the Bay Area is another hot spot and Seattle is a large city I would recommend to get started in.
Learn code
Proper education level
Search for areas w high demand in your field
Apply to multiple choices
Choose the most desired area to live and work.
There are many slots to fit in. So-Cal has many, the Bay Area is another hot spot and Seattle is a large city I would recommend to get started in.
Ashley recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Sripriya’s Answer
Hello Aditya,
You will love software engineering if you like problem solving, working methodically and can focus on tasks for long time. The job market for a software engineer is pretty good, there are lot of jobs but also they are becoming very competitive. I would suggest you take a programming class online or at a community college or at a coding school to see if you like programming.
You will love software engineering if you like problem solving, working methodically and can focus on tasks for long time. The job market for a software engineer is pretty good, there are lot of jobs but also they are becoming very competitive. I would suggest you take a programming class online or at a community college or at a coding school to see if you like programming.