How Software Practitioners Perceive Work-Related Barriers and Benefits Based on their Educational Background: Insights from a Survey Study

Unlu H., Yurum O. R., ÖZCAN TOP Ö., Demirors O.

IEEE Software, vol.40, no.5, pp.66-75, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 40 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1109/ms.2023.3270959
  • Journal Name: IEEE Software
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.66-75
  • Keywords: Engineering profession, Faces, Industries, Knowledge engineering, Software, Software engineering, Surveys
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The demand for software practitioners has increased substantially over the last three decades. As the supply trend has not been able to catch these high demand levels, recruiters have been employing people without traditional software engineering backgrounds. Individuals interested in changing careers, attend courses, take certificates, or involve in graduate programs in software engineering-related programs to acquire necessary skills. These practitioners may have different benefits and may face more challenges compared to their colleagues with traditional software engineering background. Here, we present the results of a survey study performed with 132 software practitioners from 11 countries to explore work-related challenges and the opportunities that participants experience. The result shows that software practitioners from non-software-related backgrounds face more barriers, fewer benefits, and feel less satisfied. However, data shows that these differences reduce with over ten years of experience, involvement in software-related graduate programs, taking software certificates, and mentorship from experienced practitioners.