If you’re thinking of working in the software development field, you may ask whether or not software engineers travel. This article will look at what the data says about software engineers and travel.
Yes, software engineers do get to travel. This career can involve traveling to conferences, client or partner offices, and other locations for business purposes. However, the amount of travel may vary depending on the company, job title, and location.
Despite this, many devs prefer to work remotely and do not have to travel as often. According to a Stack Overflow survey, 85% of developers said their workplace has remote work.
So, it’s possible if you’re looking for a career in software development where you can travel. But, it’s essential to keep in mind that the amount of travel may vary depending on your company and position, with hybrid working becoming ever more popular.
In this article, we’ll explore whether or not software engineers get to travel, how often, and what factors influence their amount of travel.
Finally, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of travel when working in the software development field.
What Type of Position Offers the Most Amount of Travel for Software Engineers?
A position that offers a lot of travel for software engineers is a technical account manager role.
In this type of position, you would be responsible for working with customers and partners to help them deploy and use the company’s software products.
This involves a lot of travel, as you would be meeting with customers and partners all over the country (or even the world) to help them resolve any issues they are having and to help them get the most out of the company’s products.
If you’re interested in this type of role, it’s important to be prepared to travel frequently. You should have good organizational and logistics skills, as you will need to plan your transport, accommodation, and meetings.
It would help if you also were comfortable with public speaking, as you’ll often be presenting to large groups of people, including non-coding stakeholders who may not be familiar with technical jargon.
If you’re up for the challenge, a technical account manager role can be a great way to see the world while doing your job.
What Factors Influence the Amount of Travel?
Several factors influence the amount of travel for software engineers. One of the most important factors is the type of company that a software engineer works for.
Large companies often have offices worldwide, meaning their engineers may be required to travel to different parts of the globe.
Software powerhouses like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have a significant global presence, so their engineers travel more frequently.
On the other hand, smaller companies may not have as many offices, and their engineers may not need to travel as often. The same applies to software contractors who often only travel if the expenses are attractive and the hourly rates high.
In fact, since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has become much more popular, which means that even for engineers who work for large companies, the amount of travel has decreased.
Another factor that influences how much travel a software engineer does is the type of work they are doing.
For example, if a software engineer is working on a project that requires them to meet with clients or partners in person, they will probably have to travel more frequently.
Also, some coding languages have a desperate shortage of qualified engineers, which can result in a lot of travel as companies search for the right talent.
Clojure and Chef, for example, are two languages that are typically hard to master.
Engineers skilled in these languages may be required to travel to different parts of the world to work on specific projects.
The upside to this for workers is that the pay is incredible. A software engineer with these skills can easily command a six-figure salary, which more than compensates for the increased travel.
Pros and Cons of Being a Software Engineer Who Travels
There are pros and cons to being a software engineer who is required to travel.
Some of the pros include:
- Seeing new places: One of the best parts about traveling for work is exploring new places. This can be a great way to see different parts of the world and experience new cultures.
- Meeting new people: When you travel, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life, expand your network and make new friends.
- Learning new things: When you travel, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn new skills about how other coders do something which could be different but more effective than what you’re used to.
The negative side to traveling when working:
- It can be disruptive to your personal life: If you have a family or other commitments at home, traveling for work can be disruptive. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging when you’re constantly on the road.
- Expensive: Especially if you’re required to fly frequently. If your company doesn’t pay for your travel upfront, it can affect your monthly budgeting! To save money on mobile data costs, consider using a free app like Textnow.
- Stressful: There’s no doubt that traveling can be stressful, especially if you’re constantly flying to different time zones or dealing with jet lag.
Overall, if you are single, don’t mind being away from home often, and are excited about the opportunity to learn new experiences.
Being a software engineer who travels frequently can be a great experience.
However, if you have family or other commitments at home, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if this job is right for you.
Can I Work Remotely as a Software Engineer if I Don’t Want to Travel?
Yes, working as a remote software engineer is a popular choice, and many companies are happy to accommodate both remote and hybrid working for their dev staff.
This is mainly due to the skill shortage in this field, where companies struggle to find the right talent that meets their specific requirements.
This is key because it means that if you’re not interested in traveling or working on-site, there are still plenty of opportunities to work as a software engineer.
A quick check on indeed.com for remote jobs reveals thousands of jobs that don’t require travel!
The demand for remote workers has increased significantly since the pandemic started, and many companies have found that they can be just as productive when working remotely.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know that software engineers travel, you may wonder what the experience is like. Generally, traveling for work can be a lot of fun. It can allow you to see new places and meet new people. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, it’s important to be prepared for travel, ensuring that you have all the necessary documents and that your luggage is packed correctly.
You’ll also want to ensure you have everything you need to stay productive while on the road. This may include a laptop, charger, and headphones.
Just ensure your packing is secure, you don’t want pressure marks on your laptop that could render your device unusable.
Second, it’s important to stay organized while traveling.
This means keeping track of your expenses and scheduling time for work during your trip. It can also be helpful to create a packing list, so you don’t forget anything important.
Finally, enjoying yourself while traveling is key, taking advantage of the opportunity to see new places and meet new people. Just be sure to balance work and fun, so you don’t get too overwhelmed.