We surveyed 14,824 software engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical software engineer. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a software engineer?

Low

High

Working as a software engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that software engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a software engineer?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a software engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a software engineer?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a software engineer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for software engineers.

Info

Do software engineers work full-time or part-time?

90% of software engineers work in full-time roles while 10% work part-time.

Is being a software engineer stressful?

Low

High

Stress is not uncommon amongst software engineers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.

Is being organized important as a software engineer?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a software engineer.

How competitive is the workplace for software engineers?

Low

High

Software engineers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.

Does being a software engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Software engineers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are software engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Software engineers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.

Do software engineers have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally software engineers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.

Is being a software engineer physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a software engineers is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.

Are software engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, software engineers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a software engineer require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail is a vital skill for software engineers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.

Does being a good software engineer require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a software engineer.