Software Engineering: Myths vs. Realities

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TeresaPenafiel | 6 Comments

Being a software engineer is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers in the world. If you’re considering a job in software, do you worry that you won’t be a good fit for the field? Perhaps you’re concerned about the industry’s demand and requirements of such a role.

For instance, as technology continues to play a crucial role in practically every aspect of modern life, the demand for software engineers has been gradually rising in recent years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software engineers is projected to grow 21% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing use of software in business, healthcare, and other industries, as well as the need for mobile apps, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Now that you know that you are needed in this field, there may be many preconceived notions and misconceptions related to careers in software engineering out there. Here we are pointing them out so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

Myths vs. Realities of pursuing a software engineering career

Myth #1: Being a software engineer is just about writing code all day

While coding is a vital part of a software engineer’s job, it is just one of the many responsibilities they have. Software engineers work with project managers, stakeholders, and other team members to understand requirements and goals, test and debug code, and constantly learn about new technologies and software engineering practices. According to this study, the average software engineer spends only 35% of their time writing code.

Myth #2: Software engineering is a solitary job

Software engineers work in teams and collaborate with others regularly. They communicate with project managers, stakeholders, and other team members to ensure that the final product meets the business’s and its users’ needs. Furthermore, they work with other software engineers to review code, troubleshoot problems, and share knowledge and best practices.

Myth #3: All software engineers are the same

Software engineers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different skill sets and areas of expertise. Some software engineers specialize in front-end development, while others specialize in back-end development or data science. Some engineers are experienced in specific programming languages or technologies, while others have a broad range of skills and experience.

Myth #4: Software engineering is an easy job

Software engineering can be quite challenging. Software engineers must be able to think critically, solve problems, and write efficient and effective code. They must also be able to adapt to new technologies and software engineering practices, as the field is constantly evolving. In addition, software engineers must be able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Myth #5: Software engineers require a degree

You don’t need a college degree to begin a career in software engineering. It’s no longer required to have a computer science degree to succeed in this industry because there are so many other ways to learn how to code.

There are various methods to start your career in coding, whether you enroll in a coding course, teach yourself, or begin an apprenticeship.

To sum everything up, working as a software engineer is a lucrative and difficult job that entails much more than just creating code. It needs collaboration, critical thinking, flexibility, and a desire to continuously learn and advance.

Software engineering is a dynamic and fascinating profession that offers many prospects for both personal and professional advancement, despite the fact that there may be some misconceptions about it.

If you’ve been thinking about diving into this world, or are already learning to code, visit https://bit.ly/3hAgkth. There you will find open positions, courses, and bootcamps for you to keep on track towards your goal.

About ITJ

ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.

Innovations in Software Engineering 2023

Posted on January 5, 2023 | by TeresaPenafiel | 4 Comments

More people are jumping on the software engineering wagon to meet the increased demand. Nowadays, every job out there requires at least a little bit of coding experience. What was once a highly specialized skill is becoming the new literacy.

Software engineering is the new “doctoring” or “lawyering”. It’s now the kind of clever career with stable predicted growth and high wages. And as software shapes our daily lives more and more, the demand for skilled individuals to design our future has only increased.

Main Software Engineering Innovations for 2023

The course that software engineering development followed in 2022 will be continued in 2023.

1. Cloud computing as a top tech skill

In 2022, governmental agencies and organizations as well as startups and established companies all adopted cloud computing. The importance of the technology is acknowledged by hospitals, security agencies, legal authorities, and even the Pentagon. By the end of 2024, it’s possible that a sizable number of organizations and institutions will have switched to the cloud globally.

New technologies are becoming more widely accepted across a range of industries, requiring the training of software engineers to work with them. In 2020, when the epidemic was at its worst, computing solutions stood out amid other digital transformation efforts. According to Gartner, global spending on cloud services will climb from $313 billion in 2020 to $482 billion in 2023. Additionally, this pattern is anticipated to continue: cloud spending is anticipated to increase by 20% annually.

Thus, one of the most in-demand technical talents in 2023 will be cloud computing. As we have seen since the 2000s, this technology is revolutionizing how software functions, including how experts create and develop products.

2. Programming languages are becoming more abstract

The use of more abstract programming languages is one of the most glaring trends in software engineering. Software engineers are engineers for a reason. Surely, more abstract programming languages are ideal for the work since it calls for creative problem-solving and unconventional thinking.

Python is now used for more than just data science. Due to its open source nature and large pre-built library that supports machine learning, big data, and cloud computing, Python is quickly becoming the most popular language for computer programming. Therefore, nearly any external dependencies are unnecessary because of the extensive library and strong support.

Besides for web development, Java is also a very helpful language in general. The cloud computing industry uses Java more than any other language. In fact, development of cloud software has skyrocketed over the past several years as a result of the rise in remote work.

It’s a fantastic time to study high level programming languages like Python and Java since IT startups and companies need engineers who are adept in those languages.

3. It’s wise to move towards AI

Despite the fact that artificial intelligence has been listed as one of the “future trends of software engineering” for a while, it is obvious that the time has come. Artificial intelligence applications range from chatbots and voice assistants to machine learning, and they are becoming more prevalent.

The ability to manage large amounts of data effectively has risen thanks to machine learning, which has also revolutionized speech recognition. Moreover, the Internet of Things is one of the main users of artificial intelligence development. IoT technology is now dominated by Amazon and Google, but as IoT expands to more devices, such as home appliances, expect to see new players emerge. Since the IoT industry is expanding quickly, learning AI abilities to power IoT devices is a wise investment for the future.

4. No-code engineering?

Yes, no-code engineering. It’s understandable that many platforms are causing some concern among software engineers because they enable users with little to no coding skills to create apps and experiment with new products.

You might be worried about the state of coding as a necessary skill as a software developer. We have good news: The introduction of no-code and low-code platforms allows software professionals to do what they do best, which is to drive innovation.

Low-code platforms are excellent tools for creating prototypes and testing concepts, but they frequently run into functional bottlenecks and are unlikely to ever have robust integration capabilities. For example applications, they eventually outgrow their low-code platforms, and software professionals are required to advance the program. That’s why these platforms have a long way to go before the majority of software solutions can be created without the use of code, thus it’s unlikely that they will severely challenge the demand for software engineers.

5. Not DevOps, but DevSecOps

Development, security, and operations, or DevSecOps, is a methodology for creating software that integrates security into each step of the DevOps pipeline.

Organizations continue to place a high premium on security in the face of expanding threats and the most expensive data breaches in history, costing over $4.24 million on average. As a result, it puts pressure on developers to provide safe software that is both internally utilized and used by end users.

Choosing DevSecOps in software development is the idea that security needs to be included into each step of development rather than being put off until the very end. Moreover, it indicates that the code is created with security in mind rather than being made secure. Therefore, involves changing one’s mindset as well as acquiring the tools necessary to identify security flaws and vulnerabilities in software, dependencies, the runtime environment, database, or APIs.

There are many exciting career paths for software engineers, but in order to take advantage of these lucrative positions, you must acquire the necessary abilities. We can help! Check out our trainee program.

About ITJ
ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.

Mexico: The biggest talent pool of engineers

Posted on June 30, 2022 | by Paula Diaz | 3 Comments

“While the pressures of the Great Resignation and attendant labor shortage have wide implications for businesses in just about every industry, it’s even worse for companies looking to hire highly skilled tech workers. Prior to the pandemic, it was tough to fill specialized technology roles. Now, he says, it’s “next to impossible.” (Kelly, 2022, Forbes)

Software developers are in more demand than ever in the US. Luckily, not so far away there is a latent solution and a tech hub full of potential within.

Every year, there are more than 160,000 graduates in computer science in Mexico. Comparing Mexico to nations with considerably larger economies, such as the United States, which has just 65,000 graduates, it is evident that Mexico is outperforming its peers. The talent market is getting more competitive, but Mexico remains a strong player in the global digital talent ecosystem because of the sheer number of graduates and the expansion of informal education institutions like coding academies. According to Steve Mezak, chief software services deal-maker at Next Coast Brokerage in Silicon Valley, “there is a continuous designer and developer scarcity that is prompting American service organizations to explore outside of North America.”

Nowadays, at hand with the Great Resignation, one million positions in the technology sector go vacant every year, according to a 2019 Wall Street Journal analysis. To address the talent gap, governments and the education sector are acting rapidly. When compared to other Latin American nations, Mexico has been at the forefront of developing a new generation of STEM graduates since 2006. Mexico may be the answer for American businesses wanting to outsource their software development.

In terms of the salary of their software teams, there is no denying that labor costs are appealing for businesses trying to expand without paying the higher wages required to hire workers with the same abilities in the United States.

Latin America and Mexico are growing rapidly for potential U.S. employers, so establishing a team or office there should be as much about strategy as it is about the obvious cost reductions and annual salaries significantly lower than US ones. And, aside from salary costs, working with Mexican teams on projects is substantially less expensive than dealing with outsourcing partners in other regions of the world. Near real-time cooperation lessens the possibility of misunderstandings, work that wasn’t necessarily being done, or errors that can happen when requests for modifications aren’t fulfilled on time and as required.

Consider San Diego and Tijuana as an example; the two cities are just a 30-minute drive away by car. If organization A has an IT team and a center of excellence in Tijuana, they may visit their team there for a single day without incurring additional expenses like lodging and travel costs. Flying to Mexico from the US could mean a huge deal for some, a 30-minute drive from the border could be a viable solution.

Other benefits are the strong employee retention rates and prompt communication thanks to the cultural compatibility — a professional, diligent approach, and a dedication to outcomes between 2 similar cultures. In regions such as India or Eastern Europe, regardless of the great working teams, the understanding could vary because of the cultural scope, this will not happen with Mexican teams because not only of the proximity between countries but also because of the extent of the software engineering teams that speak fluent English. This common understanding can facilitate connections across Zoom and Slack in a professional setting and hasten the development of trust. Additionally, since most of Mexico is on central time, there are additional possibilities to interact due to the natural working day overlap.

In conclusion, IT firms of all sizes compete to scale their product design and engineering skills. The demand for digital products is outpacing the growth of the IT skill pool in the highly competitive U.S. labor market. Companies that look globally when expanding their teams can lower risk and scale more quickly than those that just invest in domestic education.

ITJ firmly holds the mission to offer mentorship and career development to a new generation of software engineers. To know more about it, visit ITJuana is committed to investing in developing digital talent in Tijuana.