What Are Some Goals of a Software Engineer That Help With Professional Development?
If you're looking to advance your career in software engineering, you know that goal-setting is key. But let's be real, not all goals are created equal, and not every senior software engineer aspires to be the CTO or a Director of Engineering at a startup.
Regardless of your aspirations, there are always new opportunities waiting to be seized. But you first need to start moving in the right direction with achievable goals that are quantifiable, realistic, conducive to growth, and have a finish line.
The Blueprint of a Successful Software Engineer
As a newly promoted engineering manager, my professional goals were not only about improving communication and leadership but also harnessing my programming skills so that I could develop user-friendly mobile apps or integrate AI into our systems.
I was also focused on setting a work-life balance to boost happiness and avoid burnout. Only in recent years have I started taking this more seriously. These, and many other goals, can help you be a better engineer or engineering manager and likewise take your career to the next level. Of course, I also had system design goals and looked for new ways to motivate my engineering teams.
In this article, I'll talk about why setting career goals is important for software engineers. I'll also give you 10 types of goals that you might want to consider. Get ready to crush it on the career path, my friend!
What Does a Software Engineer Do?
Software developers are the real rock stars nowadays 🎸 Why? Because they use sophisticated languages to make programs that tell computers to do all sorts of things. They create software that people can use for anything and everything - from mobile apps and chatbots to AI and operating systems!
Software engineers also find clever ways to improve and add new features to their code. The best part? They can work in practically any industry, so there are endless opportunities for them to follow their passions and carve out their own unique career paths! But to be a good team member, engineers need to set smart goals that boost professional growth. Communication skills, technical skills, code quality — these mean nothing if senior engineers and junior engineers have no career aspirations.
Why Set Goals as a Software Engineer?
I personally remember my career journey, including why and how I reached my current position. It all began when I decided to set goals during a critical performance review at the end of the quarter. My main aim was to grow and improve as a software engineer and learn how to use new tools and improve engineering processes. Mapping out clear objectives in software engineering helps you achieve a lot. A path to becoming a better coder will help you with the following:
- Strategic Planning: Keeping your career trajectory aligned with your passion and aspirations.
- Embracing Challenges: Navigating the dynamic tech landscape and transforming roadblocks into stepping stones.
- Personal Fulfillment: Celebrating milestones and fostering a sense of purpose, crucial for work-life harmony.
10 Types of Software Engineering Goals
Get Certified or Get Another Degree
Software engineers can enhance their skill sets and validate their abilities by earning certifications. In my case, I remember when Java SDK and Enterprise Java Bean were the cool languages to learn. I did my Sun certificates and learned so much that it launched me onto other learning paths.
Doing these certifications showed my commitment to a specific skill. I was also able to add it to my CV as proof of my expertise. By pursuing different certifications at varying levels of proficiency, you too can improve your chances of landing your dream job.
Likewise, obtaining a master's degree in a specialized field can also demonstrate advanced expertise to potential employers. Typically requiring an additional year or two of study, along with tuition and the completion of a thesis or research paper, a master's degree can set software engineers apart from their peers. I hear AI degrees are in high demand, offering very generous salary packages. If you decide to upskill, though, be sure to take a course on engineering leadership too as these skills are also in high demand.
Get Proficient in a New Programming Language
Programming languages are like secret codes that computers can understand when we're trying to tell them what to do. There are tons of different ones out there, each with its own unique purpose. If you're a software engineer, learning more programming languages can help you be more versatile and work on all sorts of different projects. It doesn't matter what the project is or what language it's in – if you know a bunch of different programming languages, you'll be set. You can learn new ones by studying up on your own, taking classes, or just practicing.
Explore New Tech Frontiers
Back in the day, we didn't have the luxury of specializing in either frontend or backend technologies as we do now. We had to be jacks-of-all-trades, responsible for every aspect of website delivery, from the code to the Linux setup to the CSS styling. It was a wild ride!
But times have changed, and now we have the opportunity to become true masters of our preferred disciplines. If you spend most of your time crafting beautiful user interfaces, why not broaden your horizons by learning more about backend-oriented technology? Understanding how the server side of things works will give you a more complete perspective on the whole process.
And while you're at it, take some time to delve into the intricacies of deployment and production environments. Trust me, it'll save you some major headaches down the road! By expanding your knowledge and skill set, you'll become a more well-rounded and valuable member of the web development community.
Hone Leadership Skills
If you're a software engineer looking to advance your career, you'll also want to try out managing and empowering other engineers. I go by the motto: learning to lead with compassion, context, and a sense of direction.
One way to do this is to take on more management and leadership roles, which show that you're eager to be a bigger asset to your company. By doing so, you'll set yourself apart from your peers and position yourself for greater success.
Improve Your Soft Skills
Tied into the above point of being a good leader, you shouldn’t solely focus on being technically proficient but also on communicating, problem-solving, and creativity — soft skills!
Improving your soft skills can make you a better teammate, which can lead to better productivity, smoother collaboration, and more open to growth opportunities or new positions. Guess what? You’ll also be able to create software that truly meets the needs of your users.
Aim Higher
Some engineers feel that there’s only one way their managers could show gratitude: through a promotion. But whether you’ll get one or not entirely depends on the type of company you work for. What I mean is that some companies are like corporations with rigid structures, while others go by other factors like merit. Remember, a promotion is not only more money, but more problems, too, as they come with more responsibility. Even so, a promotion can look good on a LinkedIn update, which can make you a more desirable candidate for further growth.
Network Relentlessly
Probably one of the biggest things I took seriously - networking! In fact, I took it so seriously that around 65% of our business comes from word of mouth. You, too, should find opportunities to meet other professionals in your field.
Building a broad network in the physical or online world can be helpful in advancing your career, as you can gain valuable insights from people in different companies and even industries. How to network? By attending industry conferences, hosting events, or connecting with other engineers through social media.
For hay, we’re currently growing a community of engineering managers and technical team leads. In the community, you can learn how to give feedback, mentor developers, and build high-functioning dev teams, among many other cool topics. Feel free to check it out. Here’s an invite.
Ignite Passion Projects
Completing a side project can be a valuable learning experience, as it enables engineers to practice important skills and expand their capabilities, which can enhance their resumes. Whether working on a different project with a different technology for your current employer, achieving this can motivate you to bring innovative solutions to the same problems you’ve been working on.
Start a Business
Maybe your side project could become the next big thing? I’ve met many software engineers who channeled their frustrations into a brilliant business idea. They did this because they knew how to do something better or more efficiently, or had had enough of their bosses treating them like juniors when in reality they were more like seniors.
Starting a business and selling your own software solution is quite an ambitious endeavor that requires thorough planning and investment from partners and investors. By starting your own company, you can have more control over what you create and finally earn the recognition you deserve. Oh, you might also be able to add a few extra 0s to your paycheck 🤑
Blogging and Thought Leadership
Starting a blog and sharing your knowledge with other software engineers can be beneficial in several ways.
First, by sharing your expertise you can help build your reputation as a thought leader in the industry, which can then increase your visibility and make you stand out to potential employers or clients.
Second, writing about your experiences and projects can help you reflect on your work and improve your soft skills like writing, communication, and creativity. Explaining technical concepts in a way that's understandable to a broader audience is really important in the IT world these days and can also help you clarify your understanding of the material.
Thirdly, having a blog can be a way for software engineers to network with other professionals in their industry. By sharing their ideas and engaging with others in their field, they can establish connections and potentially collaborate on future projects.
