[Software] ‘At school I didn’t know what software engineering was, now its my job and I solve real-world problems’

[#Hassan.]

 

At school I had a passion for maths and problem solving but if you’d asked me at that time what software engineering was, I would have drawn a blank.

In an all-girls secondary school there simply wasn’t much exposure to an engineering career path.

Today, I’m a software engineer at Stripe in Dublin, having recently graduated in computer science. I got into the area by signing up for an offsite computer science workshop in transition year, and loved it .

I could deploy the same thinking I did in maths, but I was solving practical problems and seeing instant results on screen.

I decided this was something I wanted to pursue.

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Since graduating, I’ve realised how many career options there are for software engineers. You can basically work anywhere in the world that uses technology, and you can have a real impact in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Most fifth-year students may not think that studying computer science could allow them to help fight the climate crisis or improve access to financial services around the world. But as the internet economy grows and software becomes more central, the opportunities are endless.

If I had the choice at the time, Immersive Software Engineering would have been a dream course for me.

To learn by building technology rather than just studying the theory, to put your skills to the test in a real working environment, to create a startup of your own; these experiences are priceless.

If you’ve worked hard and are aiming for high points in your Leaving Certificate, you might be tempted to put medicine, actuarial science or law on your CAO form.

But if your strengths are in problem solving and creative thinking, consider software engineering.

Studying software engineering gives you the freedom to follow your passions and put your creativity to work.

Sarah Sharkey is a software engineer who helped consult on the design of the new UL course.