What do I truly need to learn and do to become a successful software engineer?

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Note: This answer is US-centric. Different job markets look for different things out of job candidates so it’s impossible to give specifics for every market. Generally you figure out what credentials you need, acquire those credentials, then get your foot in the door.

1. Go to school and major in Computer Science.
2. Finish school.
3. Pick a field. Machine Learning is hot right now, who knows it it’ll still be hot after you finish school though. Nice thing is a CompSci degree is flexible.
4. Apply to companies that do work in that field. If it’s a hot field, you’ll be able to leverage recruiters to do the hard work for you. Pick a hot field.
5. If you skipped steps one and two, go to code school and become a web developer. It’s so hot you don’t even need a degree and recruiters will place you anyway so long as you can convince them you have skills.
6. Take the first job you get offered.