The position of software engineer includes designing, writing, fixing/upgrading, testing, and integrating software to do specific functions. It can also include implementation, installation, and support. The amount of design input, supervision, and creativity is related to one's position level and years of experience.

There are a variety of tools and languages (such as C++, Java, Visual Basic, Cold Fusion, XML) that one can use to write software, and many different specializations depending on the purpose of the applications. The field is constantly evolving - what is a "must have" language today will be obsolete in a few years.
Born to code

Some of the most successful developers are those who were "born to code." Often described as geeks, these folks would be coding at home if they didn't have jobs, and so, are thrilled that someone will pay them to do what they love. Other good software engineers are people who may not program at home, but are involved with some sort of engineering project. Will Clarke, a Senior Software Developer at Multex.com, remarks, "It is about having an engineering mindset. If you don't have a deep interest in building things, you just won't be able to compete as a programmer."

A sizable portion of the field is comprised of people who were drawn to programming because it is a lucrative, stable career. Some have hard science or engineering degrees but found programming to be better paying then working in their original fields. Others (especially in the last two or three years) chose software development specifically because of the high salaries. "These are the people who previously would have been lawyers, accountants, or doctors," explains Haidee Brown. "Within the next five years, there will an increase of business-oriented people in the profession," she predicts. The field is also becoming culturally diverse, as people from all over the world immigrate to the U.S. to work in the High Tech arena.