Software Engineering Advantages?

[xwjtx]

I'm a high school student going into grade 12 next year and I'm currently doing some research into what University programs I want to apply for. My question is this: If someone wants to enter into a career as a Software Engineer what advantages do they gain from entering a program such as Waterloo's Software Engineering instead of Computer Science? Since companies such as Google, RIM, or Microsoft will hire CS graduates to become software engineers why would someone bother with the more difficult and expensive Software Engineering program when the easier, more flexible CS degree will get you hired into the same position?

[Tony]

iron ring, and you get to call yourself an Engineer in Canada.

edit: this -- http://compsci.ca/blog/the-spirit-of-software-engineering/

[xwjtx]

Interesting, but you don't need either the Iron Ring or PENG to get a job as a software engineer.
I know Software Engineering is the main career field I want to go into, but I'm having a hard time justifying the extra work (read. Chem and Physics) of the SE program when being able to call myself an engineer won't help in getting a job as a software engineer.

[Tony]

Then CS might be a better choice for you. Keep in mind though, that (at least at UW), CS still requires some classic science courses (though with more flexibility as to what they are).

[knowthyself]

xwjtx @ Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:39 pm wrote:

Interesting, but you don't need either the Iron Ring or PENG to get a job as a software engineer.
I know Software Engineering is the main career field I want to go into, but I'm having a hard time justifying the extra work (read. Chem and Physics) of the SE program when being able to call myself an engineer won't help in getting a job as a software engineer.

How do you know that Software Engineering is the main career field that you want to go into? Job titles can be misleading. If you see a job posting or description that has the title "Software Engineer", it doesn't always mean that you need a degree in Software Engineering. You're better off deciding what you want to do with your career in the long-term to determine if you want a degree in Science or a degree in Engineering. Typically a degree in Engineering (in addition to being able to become a licensed Professional Engineer) will lead to moving up the food chain faster into positions like project manager, or department manager, etc. Look around at the "about us" (or "corporate information", or what have you) sections on many large company websites and you'll see far more CEO's and VP's with degrees in Engineering than in CS or Science.

If you just want to be a programmer, then CS should be good. If you want to move up the ranks and out of development quickly, then Engineering may be better.

[xwjtx]

Thanks. That advice was actually really helpful. I've always known I want to be involved in a leadership role within the workplace. So with that in mind, a degree in Engineering is more suitable, correct?

[Tony]

Unless you want to run a really big company. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mike Lazaridis did not complete their undergraduate degrees

Though yes, "leadership" roles might be a better fit with SE.

[unoho]

one other advantange (kinda silly) is that the impression tht you get frm others. for example, when my teacher asked my friend what is he going for, he said computer science, and teacher's impression was like "..mehh". lol
whn he asked me, i said "software engineering" and he was like woww,, really?

like i said, it's really silly but sometimes it makes u feel good. but at the end, it's wht u do tht makes all the difference.