Think about how much of your daily life is tied to computers and the internet. Off the top of my head, business, banking, health care, shopping and even watching television and movies all take place online, or electronically, which means they all run on some kind of software. And the people that dream up, build and maintain all the programs that keep the world turning are involved in software engineering. If you like technology, problem-solving and continuous learning, it might be the career for you. One thing’s for sure: you’ll be in demand.
A little more about how software engineering works
In Software Engineering Technology, you’re combining engineering and computer know-how to design, test and maintain the kinds of software systems we use daily. And since software is embedded in everything we touch, you’re designing and maintaining the essentials of modern life.
Software engineering is a multi-disciplined field, which might see you working in the analysis and design phase, or coding and testing software, or writing manuals on how to use something, or simply doing upkeep and maintenance on important software that’s already there.
Problem-solving skills and teamwork are a must, and you need to stay up to date with new technology and new ideas, since software is all about innovation. That means you’ll always be learning, and frequently be challenged.
Why you want in
Outside of it being a challenging field, it’s one with secure and growing career prospects, especially in Centennial College’s home country. According to the Government of Canada's Job Bank, because so much of modern life relies on software, software engineers will be needed in the future. A predicted labour shortage going into 2028 means you’d really be in demand.Not only would you be in demand, you will be paid well for it. The Job Bank pegs the median hourly wage for a Computer Software Engineer in Ontario was $49.38, with the highest earners making more than $71 per hour, and even entry-level jobs made $28.85 (2021 figures).
How to get in
The first step in getting into this career? Enrol in Centennial College’s Software Engineering Technology program. It’ll teach you what you need to know about programming, software design, testing and maintenance, and augment that with hands-on experience with software development tools. One important way it does this is through two software development projects that happen during the program’s run. These real-world business applications have you use all the technical knowledge, as well as systems and business skills acquired in your courses to build high-quality software.
You’ll be taught by faculty members who are industry pros, and bring real-life knowledge to class, which is important in an industry like this, where you need to stay up to date. Moreover, the program’s strong industry connections means you can start networking (in the people way, not the software way) before school is even done, creating valuable professional connections. And you can take your experiences out of the classroom in the co-op version of the program, where you’ll spend time working with a real-world employer, practicing what you know, letting you gather more work experience and industry connections.
Finally, you’ve got multiple ways to take the program, including the standard in-person version, an online version, and a software engineering fast track version that lets you complete it in two years, instead of three, if you qualify with previous experience or a related area of study.
Sound good? Get started in this career, and you’ll be working on one of the cornerstones of modern life, in an essential career in need of skilled people. And your first step could begin at Centennial College.
Written by: Anthony Geremia