On June 10th, 2024, AIUB Computer Club organized a workshop titled “Career Pathways: Industry Insights for Aspiring Software Engineers.” The workshop aimed to shed light on career pathways for future software engineers and provide guidance on excelling in the industry. Asif Bin Abedin, an Associate Software Engineer at Selise Digital Platform, was the featured speaker.
The workshop began with an introduction of the speaker, followed by an exploration of the software development sector. Attendees were introduced to the fundamentals of software development, including its definition and its potential to revolutionize various industries. Midway through the session, Mr. Abhijit Bhowmik (Special Assistant, Office of Student Affairs and Associate Professor, Computer Science, AIUB) made a quick visit to greet the attendees and the speaker.
Mr. Abedin later elaborated on various aspects of software engineering, such as the significance of mastering programming languages, understanding software development methodologies and the importance of continuous learning. He highlighted different career paths within software engineering, including roles in web development, mobile application development, systems engineering and WordPress development. The distinction between front-end and back-end development was also discussed. The speaker emphasized the importance of soft skills such as communication, network building and problem-solving, which are crucial for success in the industry. He provided insights into the hiring process, including tips on resume writing, preparing for technical interviews, and leveraging networking opportunities. Participants were acquainted with current trends and technologies in the software industry, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity. Mr. Abedin shared his experiences and provided practical advice on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities in these fields. He discussed the importance of competitive programming, code reviews and understanding software development patterns and methodologies such as Agile and Scrum.
There was an interesting story shared about the contributions of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak to Apple and who software engineers should idolize. The longevity and reliability of .NET technologies were also discussed. Additional topics covered by the speaker included version control using GitHub, browser engines and DevTools, technologies like GraphQL and server management and the advantages of using LinkedIn and keywords. Mr. Abedin also recommended the “Learn with Sumi” YouTube channel for continued learning emphasizing documentation-based study and encouraging all to sharpen debugging techniques. Mr. Abedin also shared his personal life journey, phases of struggle and how university courses build the basics and are highly relevant to industry needs. He talked about the rapid demand for industry transitions from non-CSE to CSE backgrounds, the differences between software developers and software engineers and the various levels within software engineering. He also encouraged attendees to opt for paid internships as they provide a better environment for growth for both interns and companies.
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and a feedback session, allowing participants to clarify doubts and engage in further discussion. Mr. Abedin addressed various questions about career growth, industry expectations, and the future of software engineering. He also highlighted the mantra for success in this field: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat.” Overall, the workshop provided attendees with a great deal of valuable industry insights and guidance for aspiring software engineers.
