Software engineers plugged into a thriving future

With nearly every seat taken and close to 200 software engineering students and graduates listening intently, the turnout was impressive indeed.

But as popular as Software Engineering Welcome Night was at the Schulich School of Engineering, those in the business of hiring for the digital revolution say they need even more students  to meet the growing demand.

“Can you triple or quadruple the size of this room?” asked Idan Shoham, CTO of Hitachi ID Systems.

A growing industry in need of engineers

That demand for digital talent was an ongoing theme as representatives from the industry explained their craft before meeting with students and graduates at the IEEE-organized event, where learning and collaboration was the central theme.

“We’re always hiring,” was heard over and over again, as representatives from companies like Pason, Cisco and Arcurve explained how software engineering has become an essential part of any business in the 21st century.

Whether it’s high-tech online security or applications to monitor and analyze the shipping of crude oil, guests were given a full-spectrum introduction to what engineers are currently accomplishing in the software industry.

The Sept. 30 event, hosted by Dr. Mohammad Moshirpour, PhD, an instructor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, also included project demonstrations and networking opportunities for current students.

Grads find themselves in demand

The demand for digital talent was also apparent among UCalgary graduates who attended the welcome night, in particular post-graduate students from Schulich’s fast-track master’s degree in software engineering (MEng).

Started in 2018 as a path for past engineering graduates to expand their skills into the digital realm, the program already boasts an impressive post-graduation employment rate, just five weeks after the program finished.

“Last year in 2018, we started the MEng program — and the most exciting news, which I learned about last week, is that over 80 per cent of the graduates have already found jobs,” said Acting Dean Dr. Anders Nygren, PhD, as he welcomed guests to the event.

Moshirpour, who designed the curriculum for the MEng program, officially titled ‘Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on software engineering’, said feedback from the corporate world has been highly enthusiastic.

“The response from the employers are overwhelmingly positive, and the demand for these graduates, who have received offers from Calgary to Silicon Valley, has shown that what they are learning is relevant and valuable,” said Moshirpour.

Applications for the MEng with a focus on software engineering are now open. Find out more!