Software Engineering - Essential skills

When I interact with young professionals coming out of college and entering the industry these days, I see a significant positive shift from the days when we started our careers two decades ago. Most of them are clear about what they want to do with their careers; some are interested in entrepreneurship, while others want to specialize in specific streams. The biggest advantage is that they have ample resources for whichever path they choose to pursue. However, I also see many industry experts struggling to obtain the right resources and feeling at a loss on how to guide new entrants.

As a mentor, these are a couple of points I emphasize to my mentees, which I believe are the most essential skills for success in the industry:

1) Strong Fundamentals: Develop a solid foundation in programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and other core computer science concepts. This forms the basis for solving complex problems efficiently.

Coming from a non-computer science background, I had no clue about these in the early days and had to learn from experience, especially when working on extremely performance-intensive applications. This is one of the basic skills to master before you enter into this industry.

2) Continuous Learning: The field of technology evolves rapidly, so staying updated on the latest technologies, tools, and methodologies is essential. Embrace change and be adaptable, as languages and frameworks that were popular a few years ago may become obsolete. Cultivating a habit of continuous learning is key to thriving in this dynamic field.

I have noticed that many people insist on specific languages to work on. The fact is, five years down the line, many of those won't even exist. Some of the languages we used in the initial days, such as Visual C++, Visual Basic, and COM/DCOM, are hardly being used now. So never limit yourself to a language. Understand programming. Language is only a tool to do the job. 

3) Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts and devise effective solutions is crucial. Practice problem-solving through coding challenges, projects, and real-world scenarios.

 This is something that can be easily acquired through practice. I have come across many people who 'think' they don't have the logical skill to solve a problem. I believe that anyone who has the ability to think and reason can do it easily with a bit of practice. The more problems you solve, the better you will get at it and start applying the learnings to newer problems.

4) Coding Practices and Design Patterns: Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code. Learn and apply design patterns and best coding practices. This not only helps in building scalable software but also enhances collaboration in a team environment.

 As Uncle Bob says, "It’s not enough to write the code well. The code has to be kept clean over time." It is true that code gets messy over time, and as the mess builds, the productivity of the team continues to decrease. So, we need to make sure to make the code a little better than when we checked it out. Also Most of the problems we try to solve have been faced by someone else earlier. Check out how they have solved it, apply the correct design patterns wherever necessary, and make your life easier.

5) Testing and Debugging Skills: Write unit tests and understand testing methodologies. Learn how to debug and optimize code for performance. This ensures that your software is reliable and functions as intended.

This is not something to be outsourced to the quality team. You need to take it as a challenge to ensure that the code you have written is bug-free.

6) Domain Knowledge: Depending on the industry you work in, having a good understanding of the domain can be crucial. Whether it's finance, healthcare, e-commerce, or any other field, understanding the specific challenges and requirements will make you a more effective engineer.

We might be working on a small module of a large system, but understanding how it is being used in the system makes it easier to think from the end-user's perspective and provide better solutions.

7) Soft Skills and Communication: Communication is crucial in any profession. Develop your ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Work on your teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skills to foster effective communication within your team.

This may seem irrelevant initially, but it's an important skill to develop as you grow in your career.

8) Networking and Community Involvement: Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups to network with professionals in the field. Engage with online communities and contribute to open-source projects. Building a network can provide valuable insights, opportunities, and support.

This was something I started doing late, but the diverse exposure you get from these events is unmatched. So, grab any opportunity to attend such events.