Depending on your resources, skills, and goals, you can begin a career in computer engineering in a variety of ways. Depending on whether you’re interested in software or hardware engineering, you’ll have different career options. Before entering the job market, many people obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. Many computer engineers go on to earn additional degrees and certifications after reaching a certain level within a company. If you are computer savvy and highly capable, you can also get a job in computer engineering without a formal education, though this is a more difficult career path.
Attending a four-year school or entering the job market directly are the two main paths to a career in computer engineering. If you decide to go to college, you should pursue a degree in computer science or computer engineering. Working part-time in an entry-level technology job, such as a call center or help desk, while pursuing a four-year degree is an option. Depending on the type of computer engineer you want to be, it can also be beneficial to build a project portfolio of software you’ve written or hardware systems you’ve designed.
If attending a four-year school is not an option for you, you can start a career in computer engineering without obtaining a formal education. You should educate yourself in this case so that you are well-versed in computer software, hardware, or both. Many entry-level jobs have few or no requirements, but your responsibilities will usually be limited to technical support or other similar responsibilities. If you do well in these lower-level jobs and demonstrate proficiency in the required skills, you may be able to advance to more advanced computer engineering positions in the future.
Working for yourself or as a freelancer, especially if you are interested in software, is another way to start a career in computer engineering. Building a software company from the ground up can be difficult, but there are numerous opportunities for creative people to create software solutions for various niche markets. In this case, it’s critical to hone your software engineering skills before identifying an underserved niche market. Computer software engineers who work on projects for Internet and mobile platforms often work alone or in small groups to create products.