How to Become a Software Engineer in 6 Steps

Becoming a software engineer might seem like an overwhelming journey, especially when you don’t know where to begin. I felt the same way when I first started exploring this career path. With the right guidance, becoming a software engineer is clearer and more achievable than it may first appear.

In this blog, we’ll outline the 6 key steps for beginners aiming to become software engineers. Let’s get started.

What is a Software Engineer?

Software engineering is a field that deals with designing, developing, testing, deploying, and

maintaining software. Software Engineers are the people who study the software’s architecture,

design principles to maintain and develop the software according to the given requirements.

What are the Types of Software Engineers?

Software Engineering roles are divided based on the type of software or service. Below are

some careers in tech and their responsibilities:

1. Front-end Developer: Focuses on developing the UI of the website

2. Back-end Developer: Focuses on building the backend of the website

3. Full-stack Developer: Focuses on developing both the UI and backend of the website

4. Mobile app Developer: Focuses on developing mobile apps

5. Cloud Architect: Focuses on cloud servers, management, and monitoring

6. Software Development in Testing: Focuses on testing the software

7. DevOps Engineer: Focuses on planning, designing, and deploying pipelines

8. Data Engineer: Focuses on database and server management

9. Security Engineer: Focuses on the security of the software system

What to Study to Become a Software Engineer?

Pursue a full-time degree to take the first step toward becoming a software engineer. It can be any one of the following.

1. B.E/B.Tech or M.E/M.Tech in CSE, ECE, etc., with any specializations

2. BCA or MCA in Computer Science

3. B.Sc or M.Sc in Computer Science

What Skills are Required to Be a Software Engineer?

Irrespective of the types of software engineering, there are a few skills that are mandatory to learn

in 2025 to become a software engineer.

Master any one programming language

A programming language is essential to becoming a software engineer. Knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python is helpful in writing reusable and organized code.

Data Structures and Algorithms

Data structures organize data efficiently, making it easier to access, modify, and store. Common data structures include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, and trees, each designed for specific use cases

Development skills

It includes the domains available in software engineering.

• Full-stack Website Development is used to build both the front end (user interface) and back end (server) of websites.
• Mobile Development: Creates applications for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets with operating systems like iOS and Android.
• DevOps: It is used to automate and streamline the process of software development and IT operations to enable faster, more efficient, and reliable release of software.
• Data Science: It is used to extract insights and predictions from large data sets using statistics and machine learning algorithms.
• UI/UX Designing: Creates a user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of digital products to ensure they are both visually appealing and comfortable to use for the end users.

Version Control(Git and GitHub)

Git is a distributed version control system that helps developers track code changes and collaborate on projects.

GitHub is a widely-used platform for hosting Git repositories, offering features like pull requests, issue tracking, and collaboration tools for open-source and private projects. GitLab provides similar functionality with a focus on DevOps integration, offering continuous integration, deployment, and project management tools all in one platform.

Mastering any one of the programming languages is a must. If you’re confused about which language to choose, start exploring Guvi’s FREE E-book on Python: A Beginner’s Guide to Coding & Beyond. It is a great start towards your DSA and software developer journey.

How to Become a Software Engineer

This section covers 6 detailed steps on how to become a software engineer, from learning skills to applying for opportunities. Let’s dive into it.

Step 1: Complete Graduation

Try to complete your bachelor’s/ master’s degree in the above-mentioned field with at least 60%

to a 70% cutoff.

Build a solid foundation of knowledge in Operating Systems, Computer Networks, DBMS, Data

Structures and Algorithms during your course of degree.

Step 2: Develop Personal Projects

Once you establish a foundational knowledge, learn skills relevant to the type of software

developer you want to become. If you want to become a full-stack developer, learn HTML, CSS for

the front end, and JavaScript for the backend. 

After learning the required skills, start building simple projects and gradually increase the

complexity of the projects. Build one or more personal projects with various tech stacks to show

that you’re open to exploring various options. Showcasing the projects you’ve done will add a

bonus point to your career. It shows that you can complete the entire project from development to deployment. With the help of GitHub and GitHub Pages, this can be

achieved easily.

If you want to become a full stack developer and learn the necessary skills required for it starting from scratch to advance in a single course from India’s top Industry Instructors, consider enrolling in GUVI’s Full Stack Development course that not only teaches you everything about full-stack development from scratch, but also provides you with hands-on project experience and industry-grade certificate!

Step 3: Build a Strong Resume and Portfolio

Once you are confident in your development skills, build a strong resume focusing on your

skills, projects, achievements, education, and certifications related to the field.

Today, employers often check your activity on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub to see how

consistent you are. So, try to regularly update your GitHub by contributing to open-source projects

projects or sharing your projects. Also, connect with your classmates, seniors, and professionals on LinkedIn to build a strong network.

Step 4: Master Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)

Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) are the tools and techniques used to organize, store, and

process data efficiently, helping solve problems faster and more effectively. Mastering data

structures and algorithms is a crucial and mandatory skill for a software developer. Testing your

Data structures and algorithm knowledge are the first round for any tech career.

Mastering linear data structures like Arrays, Strings, and Matrices, followed by non-linear

Structures like Trees and Graphs are a great starting point. Once you understand how and why these structures are used, focus on learning algorithms for each. Common algorithms include

Rabin-Karp, Dijkstra’s, and Two Pointers. Practicing on platforms like LeetCode, GeeksforGeeks, Guvi, and Hackerrank will improve your problem-solving skills and time management.

Step 5: Pursue Internship Opportunities

Once you have mastered your DSA skills and tailored your resume, you can start pursuing

internships. You can find internships either through your college placements or off-campus

opportunities. Apply for the internship opportunities that align with your skill sets. You can check here for internship opportunities at Guvi in their careers page.

Step 6: Apply for Opportunities and Prepare for Interviews

At the end of your graduation, start applying for full-time opportunities in tech. According to

Your skill sets can be applied either through your college placements or through online jobs

searching platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and so on.

Practice mock interviews with your friends. Work on improving your soft skills, such as

communication and problem-solving abilities. Stay updated with the latest technologies, build

new skills, and avoid relying solely on a limited set of skills. Each company’s hiring process may

differ, so take the time to study their process and prepare accordingly. Review the job

description to understand what the company is expecting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, becoming a software engineer may feel overwhelming at times, but with

dedication and persistence, you can achieve it. The key is to stay consistent with

practicing DSA, always be open to learning new skills, build personal projects, and share your

work with the world.

Stay consistent, and you’ll see the progress you’ve worked hard for!

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