For a student in automation engineering, what is the most important software to learn how to work with in general?

TIA portal with the simuator is the most impotrant for a student , since it allows him/her to simulate a complete process with PLC/HMI/PC based SCADA.

PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) Programming languages such as LD(Ladder Diagram).Hands on Practical exposure in brands as Keyence, AB (Allen Bradley),Omron.

SCADA (Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition) – Screen designing, PC & PLC interface, Data collection & storage.Pneumatics & Field Instruments ( Control Valve, Sensors, Level Transmitters, Flow Transmitters, Temperature Transmitters, Pressure Switches)Knowledge in Panel wiringKnowledge in PID (Proportional Integral Derivative)Troubleshooting – PLC programmingKnowledge in basic programming of Robotics & co-ordination systems

This question requires to know which line of work the student chooses for her career.

If the student wants to go into PLC/DCS/SCADA testing,commissioning etc. he/she needs to learn a lot of vendor based programming softwares like softmaster(honeywell), step 7(seimens) etc etc.

Where as if the student chooses design/engineering as his/her career path then they should learn the following software:

Smart Plant Instrumentation

MS Office

AutoCAD

Sizing Softwares like InstruCalc, Instrument Calculations etc.

Note that most of these softwares can be learned through coaching centres but you will gain real usage experience only when using the software during work activities. But again when you learn these softwares as a student you will have a major advantage over other competing students.

Hope this answers your query.

Being Automation designer one must have basic knowledge on development of ladder, function block in line with IEC 61131-3.

Apart of this, for reports/database management knowledge on SQL, C/C++ is required. for in instance, Vijeo Citect cicode structure and codes are based on pascal programming language. 

Rockwell Factorytalk view and most of the automation platforms require script, which is essential to program events, reports etc.

Automation Studio would be very good for you as it presents a full automation simulation system.

for PLC programming start with TIA portal or SIMATIC Manager.

plc software the easier for all technical people 

STEP7 ,C++ and visuel C charp 

§  Mitsubishi (GX Works & GX Developer)

§  Siemens (STEP-7 Micro win, SIMATIC Manager, TIA Portal)

§  Delta (WPL Soft)

only need to learn ladder logic

Programming in Ladder, Functional Block Diagrams, Sequential Flow Chart and Structured Text Language.

But basic thing for "to learn how work with in general", no software is going to help rather understanding the process requirements (for Process Automation) and Mechanical Know how (for Machine Automation) will make the life easier. The end result is an automation engineer has to run the machines as required for the manufacturing of product. The process and mechanical understanding will help the automation engineer to run the coding in line with the process resulting the best tuned output from the machine.