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Imagine you are building a special robot or a super cool game on a computer. A Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, often called a Software Engineering Professional, is like the architect and builder for these digital things! They use special computer languages, a bit like secret codes, to tell computers exactly what to do. They design, build, and test software programs, apps, and even websites. They make sure everything works perfectly and is fun or helpful for people to use. It is a bit like solving puzzles all day long to make new and exciting digital things happen. This job involves a lot of thinking and planning. They might work on a team with other clever people to create new phone apps, make sure online shops work smoothly, or even help make the technology that runs big hospitals or trains. They need to be very good at figuring out problems and coming up with clever solutions. It is a job where you are always learning new things because technology changes all the time, making it a very exciting and important role in our modern world.
A software engineering professional in the UK can expect to earn between 30,000 pounds and 70,000 pounds a year. Very experienced people might even earn more!
There are many thousands of jobs for software engineers in the UK. Websites like LinkedIn and Indeed often show over 10,000 open positions at any time, showing how much these skills are needed.
The number of jobs for people who work with computers and technology in the UK is growing very quickly. It is expected to grow by more than 10 percent in the next few years.
Imagine making your very own computer games that people can play! A Games Developer uses their super brain to design the game, write the code to make it work, and test it to make sure it's really fun and doesn't have any wobbly bits. You could make a game about flying dragons or racing cars!
Have you ever visited a favourite website? A Website Builder helps create those cool online pages, just like building with digital LEGO bricks! They make sure the website looks nice, is easy to use, and all the buttons work properly so you can find what you're looking for, like funny animal videos or information about your favourite hobby.
If you love using apps on a tablet or phone, you might enjoy being an App Creator! These clever people design and build the apps we use every day, whether it's an app for drawing pictures, learning new things, or even a simple game. They make sure the app is fun, easy to use, and works perfectly on your device.
Start by playing games and using apps that you love! Think about what makes them work and how they were built.
Many free online games and apps are designed to introduce children to basic coding concepts in a fun way. Look for games that involve dragging and dropping blocks of code to make characters move or solve puzzles. This helps you understand how instructions are given to a computer.
Use child-friendly coding tools to make your own simple animations or stories. It's like telling a computer what to do!
Websites like Scratch (from MIT) or apps like Code.org are fantastic for beginners. They use colourful blocks of code that snap together, so you don't need to type complicated words. You can make characters dance, tell stories, or create your own small games. This is a great way to see how your ideas can come alive on a screen.
Whenever you use a computer or tablet, wonder how the apps and websites work. Why does clicking a button do something?
Being curious is super important! When you're curious about how things work, you start to notice patterns and structures. Ask grown-ups or teachers questions about the technology you use every day. Even just thinking about it helps you start to understand the building blocks of digital things.
Many schools or local libraries have clubs where you can learn more about coding with friends and a helpful adult.
Code Clubs are fantastic places to learn more about computer science in a fun and supportive environment. You'll meet other children who are also interested in coding, and you can work together on projects. The adults running the club can answer your questions and help you with trickier parts of coding, introducing you to new tools and concepts.
Move on to making slightly more complex games, interactive stories, or even simple websites using your coding tools.
Once you're comfortable with the basics, try to build something a bit bigger or more detailed. Maybe you can create a small game with different levels, or an interactive story where the user chooses what happens next. This helps you practise putting many different pieces of code together, just like building a bigger model with more parts.
When you're a bit older, you could try learning a simple 'real' coding language like Python. It's used by many grown-up software engineers!
Python is a great first text-based programming language because it's relatively easy to read and understand. There are many online tutorials and books designed for young people to learn Python. It's a powerful language used for everything from websites to games, so getting started with it will give you a taste of what professional coding is like.
Choose subjects at secondary school like Computer Science or IT to learn even more about how computers and coding work.
When you go to secondary school, subjects like GCSE Computer Science will teach you about programming, how computers actually work inside, and important ideas like problem-solving and algorithms. These subjects are essential for building a strong foundation if you want to become a software engineer.
When you're older, try to find opportunities to visit companies where software engineers work. See what they do every day!
Work experience, even just for a day or a week, can give you a real peek into the world of software engineering. You might get to see how teams work together, what kind of problems they solve, and what tools they use. This helps you decide if it's really the right path for you and gives you valuable experience to talk about later on.
After school, you could go to university to study computer science or do an apprenticeship where you learn and work at the same time.
Many software engineers go to university to get a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related subject. This gives you a deep understanding of all aspects of the field. Another great option is a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship. This allows you to work for a company, earn money, and study for a degree at the same time, giving you lots of practical experience.
Someone who builds and designs websites, making sure they look good and work well when you click on them.
A person who helps create computer and video games, from designing the levels to making the characters move.
Someone who looks at lots of information and numbers to find patterns and help people make smart decisions.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (Software Engineering Professional). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
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A Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (Software Engineering Professional) is highly involved in the planning, development, and delivery of digital solutions. While 'Software Engineering Professional' implies coding, the broader 'Digital and Technology Solutions Professional' aligns well with the oversight and management aspects of a Digital Delivery Manager, who ensures the successful implementation and release of technological projects.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a degree or postgraduate course in a subject like:
You could do a postgraduate course in project management. It may help you understand what you need to be a delivery manager and learn some of the important skills.
You'll usually need:
You could start by doing a Digital Product Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
Depending on your experience and qualifications, you could also do a:
After completing your apprenticeship, you'll need to get experience of working in digital delivery teams before getting a job as a delivery manager.
You'll usually need:
You can start in project management or customer experience management and move into digital delivery by learning on the job.
Most employers will expect you to have experience of:
You may find it useful to join a professional body like:
This can offer you professional recognition, training opportunities and the chance to meet others working in similar roles.
You can find out more about working in the digital industry from techskills.
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