Software engineering is already a popular profession, and it’s only expected to grow. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is predicted to grow 25% by 2031.

But what do software engineers do? What does a day in the life of a software engineer look like?

We spoke with Caleb Braaten, the Principal Technical Mentor here at App Academy, to dig into the details.

Flexibility in Working Hours

Some might expect the working hours for a software engineer in the fast-moving tech world to be quite rigid, but that’s not always the case. While traditional tech firms may function around the 9-to-5 model, there are ever-increasing opportunities for remote work or more flexible work schedules.

According to an article from Turing, 86% of software engineers have been working remotely, especially since the pandemic. The same article found that 71% prefer a mix of home and office work. Many software engineers probably enjoy some of the benefits of remote work, which can include:

• Avoiding a commute
• Spending more time with family
• Having a greater sense of work/life balance

There are also, of course, some challenges that come with working remotely:

• Isolation from colleagues
• Potential distractions at home

In addition to remote working options, some companies also work asynchronously, meaning employees may have the opportunity to work whenever they want, inside or outside of regular business hours.” This can work well for those who want more control over their working hours