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Show Me the Money: Lucrative Software Design Jobs

By Francine L. Huff
Learning & Life Columnist
July 16, 2007

Not only can a software design career place you on the cutting edge of technology, but it can also give you one of the country's best starting salaries at $53,729 per year, according to CNN Money.

What Software Designers Do

Software design involves developing packaged and systems software, including customized software packages for individual companies. Software designers develop the systems that help automate and control business, management, and manufacturing processes. It's not just about spending all day in front of a computer screen, either--some software design and development jobs may be focused more on analyzing and solving problems than on writing computer code.

Software Design Jobs

Software design jobs can be found in the accounting, banking, pharmaceuticals, and transportation industries, among others. If you're into video game programming, becoming a software developer can be a fun way to get paid and stay abreast of the newest games.

Get the Right Training

Generally, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering, but if you're hoping to land a more complex job with lots of responsibility, you'll probably want to earn a master's degree. You'll also have to be prepared to stay abreast of changes in your field and get additional training as technology evolves. The best part of getting your IT degree? You can train entirely online. Study from home to build the skills you need.

Working as a Team

Software design jobs can be fun, but they may require you to work long hours, evenings, or weekends to meet deadlines or develop special projects. In many organizations, you'll be part of a team working to complete projects, so having good people skills is important. However, some software designers spend a lot of time away from the office or traveling to meet with clients.

The computer software engineer job is expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, computer software engineer is ranked as one of the top 10 most satisfying jobs, according to the Wall Street Journal. If you're creative and enjoy coming up with new solutions to problems, this cool career may be right up your alley.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Computer Software Engineers"
• CNN Money
• Wall Street Journal: CareerJournal

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.

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