Introduction
While software engineering courses are touted to be significantly tough and time-consuming, they are also enriching. After graduating with a degree in software engineering, one can expect several rewarding job opportunities and well-paying salaries.
In this article, we will be shedding light on how to become a software engineer after 12th to assist students who have recently graduated from school or are worried about their career prospects in their decision-making process. Read on to learn more!
What Are the Different Computer Engineering Courses after Class 12th?
If you are a 12th-grade student who has taken up computer science in school, here are the courses you can pursue after graduating from school:
- B.Tech in Computer Science
B. Tech. in Computer Science is one of the most sought-after courses in India. Moreover, in our country and globally, a high demand exists for students pursuing B.Tech in Computer Science.
If you opt for this course after class 12th, you will become familiar with various concepts, including computer software, program design, programming languages, algorithms, computer hardware, computation, and much more.
Some of the best institutions for pursuing this degree are the IITs (Indian Institute of Technology), NITs (National Institute of Technology), and IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology), among others. However, the course duration is four years, and the fees for pursuing this degree in an in-demand college can be slightly higher.
Once you are done with this degree, the job opportunities you can pick from include Software Developer, Software Engineer, Data Scientist, and so on. Regarding salary, a B.Tech in Computer Science graduates earn around Rs. 7.3 lakh per year on average. When you have acquired enough experience and skills, students can expect to earn a whopping Rs. 20 lahks per year as a software engineer.
- B. Tech. in Information Technology
B.Tech in Information Technology is another highly sought-after course focusing on information theory and management. The key subjects covered in this course include networking, programming, database management, and so forth.
One of the most attractive factors about this course is the excellent packages and salaries one gets post-graduation. For example, an individual who has done their B.Tech in Information Technology can expect to earn an average of INR 7 lakh/year.
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
The bachelor of science degree in computer science works best for those who wish to learn more about the theory of computer science. The duration of this course is three years.
To become eligible for this course, students must score at least 50% in 10th+12th. One can expect an average salary of 3L-5L per annum once one graduates.
- Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)
Besides engineering courses, students also have the option to pursue other computer science courses such as the Bachelor of Computer Application or the BCA course. In contrast to other software engineering courses after 12th, the BCA course focuses on topics such as Software Development, Theoretical Computer Science, artificial intelligence, computer networks, and database management systems, among others.
The course duration is three years, and students must have scored a minimum of 50% in 10th+12th to be eligible to pursue this course.
- Other Key Courses
The courses mentioned above are the most famous 12th-grade computer science courses. Here are a few more courses students are eligible to pursue after graduating from school:
- B. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering
- B. Tech. in Computer Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Software Technology
- B. Tech. in Civil Engineering
- B. Tech. in Mechanical Technology
What Are the Top Entrance Exams for Software Engineering after Class 12th?
If you wish to enroll in top engineering colleges and courses, you will have to sit for various entrance exams. Here is a list of such exams so that you can kick-start your preparations for admission into top colleges and courses:
- IIT JEE -This is one of the most competitive exams for admission to B.Tech programs at various IITs across India. Students graduating from IITs with software engineering degrees can expect excellent job offers.
- BITSAT: BITSAT is another entrance examination required for admission to the prestigious and sought-after Birla Institute of Technology. BIT is known for offering a variety of colleges and courses, which is why you should take this exam to be admitted to B.Tech in Computer Science.
- IPU CET: This exam is essential for those students who wish to get admitted into B.Tech courses in Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi.
- VITEE: Vellore Institute of Technology is another college that enjoys great popularity among software engineering enthusiasts. To pursue a software engineering course at this college, one must sit for VITEEE.
What Are the Different Software Engineering Certificate Courses after the 12th?
If you are keen on becoming a software engineer after the 12th, diligently pursuing the following certificate courses can help!
- University of Michigan's Python 3 Programming Specialization
Under this certificate course, you will learn the fundamentals of python programming language, which can further help you to devise software applications.
- Introduction to Programming with Python and Java
This course can help students willing to learn the necessary details of Python and Java programming. In addition, if you are wondering about how to become a software engineer after class 12th, undertaking this course will further boost your knowledge and help you out in your endeavors.
- Udemy's Software Engineering for Beginners Course
If you plan on eventually kick starting a career in software engineering, this course will serve as a great starting point as it covers the essentials of software engineering.
- Coding Elements' Mobile App Development with React Course
These days, many students are keen on mobile app development and eventually plan on becoming an app developer. This course is perfect for the individuals as mentioned earlier and can help them build quality mobile applications down the line.
What Are the Different Job Roles One Can Go for in the Software Engineering Sector?
Here are some of the most lucrative job opportunities one can go for in the software engineering sector:
- App Developer
Application developers serve as integral part of software engineering and development teams in various organizations. This job requires individuals to write codes and build crucial software applications.
- Front-End Developer
A frontend web developer, is responsible for working on the user interface of websites and applications. Unlike a web designer who works on the website's design and appearance, the frontend developer's responsibility is to ensure that the design works online without any hassle by using various coding languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
- Back-End Developer
Back-end developers cover other vital matters behind the scenes, including infrastructure and databases. A back-end developer must have good knowledge about databases, servers, and API (Application programming interface).
- Full Stack Developer
A full-stack developer covers the roles of both a front-end and back-end developer and they are expected to take care of the entire design process from beginning to end. One must have good knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Python, SQL, MongoDB and so forth.
- Game Developer
This job opportunity is an extremely lucrative one for gaming enthusiasts and requires individuals to have a knowledge of programming languages like C++, Java, SQL, Python, etc.
Tips to Become a Software Engineer in 2023 after Class 12th
As a student fresh out of class 12th looking to build a career in software engineering, you can become one if you carefully follow the steps listed below:
- Learn Programming and Coding Languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are crucial for becoming a good software engineer, so it is extremely crucial to learn them. Nowadays, students can enhance their coding language-related knowledge through various online resources in addition to regular classes under their respective degrees.
- Refine Your Skills
Students who have graduated class 12th need to brush up their knowledge on various books and articles related to software engineering if they look for a job. In addition, other helpful resources, such as YouTube, can help freshers further boost their knowledge and skills.
Another way freshers can improve their skills is by utilizing their newfound skills for practical purposes. This way, they will learn from their mistakes and deliver flawless performance when necessary.
- Undertake Different Tutorials
If money is sparse, enthusiastic students can always check out software engineering resources to hone their knowledge. A lot of these tools are free and can be accessed online without any trouble and are extremely useful in the long run.
- Enroll in a Certificate Course
If you have the resources to learn from subject experts in a structured environment, it is in your best interests to do so and can help you get the job of your dreams. Now, students can also enroll in online software engineering courses like programming languages courses, beginners courses for people interested in software engineering and more in addition to attending classes.
- Get an Internship
Internships at good organizations can serve as great opportunities for freshers to work under and learn from seasoned professionals and learn from them. Although the pay in internships may need to be better, the experience and the skills acquired are bound to help them down the road. Additionally, these internships often translate into well-paying software engineering jobs if done diligently.
What Are Some Books that Can Help You Become a Software Engineer?
To become a software engineer, you must be well-versed in books focusing on software engineering. Books that are essential to assist you in your software engineering endeavors include:
- Steve McConnell's Code Complete
- Gayle Laakmann McDowell's article Cracking the Coding Interview
- C++ The Complete Guide
- Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne created the algorithms
- Robert C. Martin's Clean Code
- Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with the Head First
To Sum Up
In 2023, more and more individuals are going for the software engineer job due to the many benefits that come with the job. It is, however, essential to note that students in Class 12 must study well and work hard to get into a college that offers a good computer engineering degree. They must also get enrolled in special certification courses to further amplify their skills.
There is no shortcut to becoming a sound software engineer; students must put in the due effort to enhance their knowledge and attain other relevant abilities to become sound software engineers.