{"id":12885,"date":"2025-09-22T09:13:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&p=12885"},"modified":"2025-09-22T09:13:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:13:34","slug":"software-sparks","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/software-sparks\/","title":{"rendered":"Software Sparks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

Engineering is more than high-level tinkering\u2014it\u2019s the art of imagining what doesn\u2019t yet exist and building it into reality. It\u2019s a bold blend of imagination and precision, where ideas leap off the page and into the world. No longer limited to mechanics or chemicals, today\u2019s ever-expanding engineering universe spans everything from aerospace to biomedical\u2014and at the heart of it all: software.<\/p>\n

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At UW-Green Bay, a new generation of engineers is emerging, equipped not only with coding skills but with the mindset to lead in an era defined by artificial intelligence and rapid innovation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Software engineering<\/a>\u00a0stands out not just for its explosive growth but for its transformative career potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in software engineering is projected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033, with a median national annual salary of $133,080 and a starting salary around $71,280. But beyond the impressive earning stats, software engineers are uniquely positioned to enhance, support and revolutionize nearly every other professional pursuit\u2014especially in the age of artificial intelligence. It\u2019s a launchpad for innovation across industries, interests and ambitions.<\/p>\n

Software engineering is also no longer just a technical discipline\u2014it\u2019s a creative, collaborative, and future-focused field that\u2019s reshaping how we live, work and learn. At UW-Green Bay, a new generation of engineers is emerging, equipped not only with coding skills but with the mindset to lead in an era defined by artificial intelligence and rapid innovation.<\/p>\n

Engineers for What\u2019s Next<\/h3>\n
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\"a
Ethan Christman listens to Assoc. Prof. Iftekhar Anam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the case of Ethan Christman, a UW-Green Bay senior scheduled to be among the first graduates from the Software Engineering program, his interest began not through the classic route of computer video games, but an undiscovered talent for programming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI took a few computer courses in high school and liked programming, so I decided to stick with that,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI got like 108% in the course and loved every second.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Christman arrived at UW-Green Bay in 2022, the primary option for a software-based major was computer science\u2014but Christman was drawn to something more applied. Software engineering builds on the same core principles as computer science, but focuses on designing, building and maintaining the systems that power our digital lives.<\/p>\n

The average American now spends nearly eight hours a day connected to a smart device\u2014all driven by software. With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GAI), that digital evolution has become a full-blown revolution. It\u2019s a pivotal moment; software engineers will lead the application of structured, professional practices to ensure that software is not only functional, but also innovative, scalable and updatable in this rapidly changing industry.<\/p>\n

Software engineering is attracting soon-to-be high school seniors, and also career changers and lifelong learners who see its growing potential. For returning college graduate Calvin Berndt, the allure of artificial intelligence motivated his career-pivot to software engineering.<\/p>\n

Already possessing a degree and career history in biochemistry, Berndt is now a self-described \u201csuper-super senior,\u201d pursuing a second bachelor\u2019s degree at UW-Green Bay in Software Engineering. \u201cWhat really pushed me into software engineering was the breakneck speed of AI development,\u201d he said. \u201cAI is going to change everything over the next decade, and I want to be part of that change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collaborating at the Cutting Edge<\/h3>\n
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\"student
Calvin Berndt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With nearly a decade of work experience, Berndt\u2019s career path has taken him from research labs\u2014where he once considered pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry\u2014to the factory floor, gaining hands-on experience in both industrial maintenance and food safety. When it came to software, Berndt felt a sense of urgency. \u201cIt was kind of a now-or-never moment,\u201d he said. \u201cI realized if I didn\u2019t jump into this field soon, I might miss my chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Both Christman and Berndt found that personalized guidance from faculty and advisors was key to shaping a path that fit their unique goals. Christman\u00a0credits Professor Omar Meqdadi, assistant professor of Computer Science\/Cybersecurity, as a key influencer in\u00a0his decision to pursue software engineering as part of his computer science studies.\u00a0He also credits his academic advisor for helping him stay on track to graduate in four years, even as he refined his academic focus.<\/p>\n

Figuring out \u201cwhat works\u201d is central to UW-Green Bay\u2019s approach to teaching software engineering. \u201cIf you\u2019ve ever wondered how YouTube works, or what powers the systems behind your favorite apps, software engineering might be your path\u201d, explains Meqdadi. \u201cWe teach the same principles used by developers at YouTube, Facebook, and Google. But it\u2019s not just about theory\u2014it\u2019s about building real solutions that work in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Christman, the software engineering program\u2019s hands-on, practical approach made all the difference. \u201cIt helped me focus on best practices\u2014what actually works and not just \u2018in theory.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Unique to UW-Green Bay\u2019s program, software engineering focuses on working as a team \u2014students don\u2019t just learn to code, they learn to collaborate. \u201cWe work as a team in classes where everyone has a voice and is offering ideas,\u201d says Christman.<\/p>\n

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\"professor
UWGB Assoc. Prof. Anam engages with Bryce, a Software Engineering major, while Grant listens in. Photos by University Photographer, Dan Moore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

That spirit of cooperation is matched by a hands-on approach to learning. \u201cWe focus on practical experience alongside theory,\u201d explains Meqdadi. \u201cThrough projects, labs and teamwork, students learn how to apply software development principles just like professionals do in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen our students graduate, they don\u2019t see a gap between what they learned and what they\u2019ll face in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

UW-Green Bay Assistant Professor Omar Meqdadi<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

With close partnerships across local and regional businesses, students gain experience that\u2019s both practical and future-focused\u2014especially as they adapt to emerging technologies like generative AI.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen our students graduate,\u201d Meqdadi adds, \u201cthey don\u2019t see a gap between what they learned and what they\u2019ll face in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motivation through Innovation<\/h3>\n

For a non-traditional student entering this dizzying pace of innovations, the future is now. Berndt wasted no time diving into his new field. Within two months of enrolling, he was working with Associate Professor Iftekhar Anam and Assistant Professor Sayeda Farzana Aktar on a research project developing software aimed at improving ADA accessibility in physical classrooms. \u201cThey\u2019ve been incredible mentors,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been working with them ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

That early research experience led to an internship\u2014and eventually a job\u2014at Anser, a business support center in Ashwaubenon. There, Berndt is using AI to streamline quality assurance. \u201cWe use automatic speech recognition to transcribe customer service calls,\u201d he explained. \u201cThen we run Python scripts\u2014small programs that automate tasks\u2014to evaluate whether agents are meeting about 25 or 26 different quality standards.\u201d These agents are customer service representatives who handle calls and support tasks for a variety of client businesses. The system doesn\u2019t replace human evaluators, he added, but it makes their work faster and more consistent.<\/p>\n

Berndt is also returning to his research roots\u2014only now through the lens of software engineering. Over the past semester, Berndt has presented at conferences in Madison and Chicago. \u201cWe just secured a grant to continue our work,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll be leading the next phase of the project, including hiring new student researchers.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"two
Christman and Berndt listen to Assoc. Prof. Anam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Students like Christman and Berndt aren\u2019t just chasing job security\u2014they\u2019re driven by curiosity, creativity and the desire to solve real problems. They thrive in an environment of constant discovery, where emerging technologies like generative AI aren\u2019t seen as threats, but as tools to think bigger and build smarter. \u201cAI is part of the software engineering process,\u201d says Meqdadi. \u201cIt streamlines the routine tasks so students can focus on what really matters\u2014designing, solving, innovating.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

UW-Green Bay Software Engineering students learn to be the ones guiding the technology, not the other way around. \u201cYou will be the instructor of the AI,\u201d Meqdadi emphasizes. \u201cIt won\u2019t think for you\u2014you\u2019ll think about the problem, and AI will help you solve it faster.\u201d With new emphases in AI and machine learning being added to the curriculum, the program is evolving alongside the industry. And as Meqdadi reminds us, \u201cThere\u2019s no need to fear AI. It\u2019s part of the game\u2014and we\u2019re teaching students how to play it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Written by Michael Shaw<\/p>\n

Photos by Dan Moore, University Photographer<\/p>\n

Link to original story: https:\/\/news.uwgb.edu\/featured\/08\/20\/software-sparks\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Engineering is more than high-level tinkering\u2014it\u2019s the art of imagining what doesn\u2019t yet exist and building it into reality. It\u2019s a bold blend of imagination and precision, where ideas leap off the page and into the world. No longer limited to mechanics or chemicals, today\u2019s ever-expanding engineering universe spans everything from aerospace to biomedical\u2014and at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":12887,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[111],"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-12885","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-green-bay"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/12885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=12885"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwtest.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=12885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}