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Software engineering is among the most in-demand engineering degrees and has quickly become the best engineering degree. But there are also some reasons why you should not study software engineering. This post will discuss the pros, cons and alternatives to software engineering.
8 Reasons Why Software Engineering Is The Best Engineering Degree
1- Software Engineering Is An Ever Expanding Field
New technologies push the boundaries of what you can design and code. There are new platforms with new languages that always try to maximise output and increase efficiency.
The internet is ever-expanding and ever-growing, opening many possibilities for innovation and development. That has given software engineers many opportunities for innovation, from web development to cybersecurity to coding. There are infinite opportunities for software engineers, unlike other engineering fields and jobs where innovation is very slow.
2- Software Engineering Is A Meaningful Career
Software Engineers are among the most meaningful careers, not just in engineering but when compared to other jobs. Software engineers work on problems that impact and change people’s lives.
Most software engineers report a high satisfaction rate. Most are happy with their job and career. We wanted to test that theory for ourselves, so we asked 1000 engineers if they were happy with their careers. Software Engineers ranked number one in terms of job satisfaction and happiness. See the results in the full article: We Asked 1000 Engineers If They Are Happy. Shocking Results.
3- Software Engineers Are In High Demand
Software Engineers are very much in high demand. All these internet and tech companies demand software engineers, which means they can change jobs easily based on their situation, but they can also have higher salaries when changing jobs.
Any industry today will require software engineers, which means you have endless work opportunities, and you probably should not worry about getting a job after graduation. However, with high demand, there is also high competition for software engineering jobs.
4- Software Engineers Make Tons Of Money
Software Engineers are one of the most highly-paid professionals. Most become millionaires after years of work. Many make six figures within 3 years as software engineers.
When comparing software engineers’ salaries. We found that software engineers make the highest engineering salary compared to every field and engineering major. See the results below:
| Engineering Degree | Undergraduate (Zero Experience) | Entry level (1-2 Years) | Mid-Career (3-7 Years) | Professional Engineer (7+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | $38,000 | $65,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | $42,000 | $75,000 | $99,000 | $148,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $39,000 | $71,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $34,000 | $67,000 | $97,000 | $135,000 |
| Software Engineering | $55,000 | $82,000 | $105,000 | $155,000 |
| Aerospace Engineering | $52,000 | $75,000 | $88,000 | $140,000 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $37,000 | $83,000 | $88,000 | $110,000 |
| Mechatronics Engineering | $45,000 | $72,000 | $82,000 | $129,000 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $57,000 | $80,000 | $120,000 | $148,000 |
| Material Science Engineering | $33,000 | $63,000 | $80,000 | $149,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $36,000 | $72,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $52,000 | $78,000 | $95,000 | $137,000 |
5- Software Engineers Get Many Benefits
All these tech companies fight to hire and maintain their software engineers, which means spoiling them with many benefits, from free lunches to state-of-the-art offices to high salary bonuses.
Software engineers’ benefits are almost crazy, especially in compensation, such as stocks and bonuses, which can take the software engineer’s salary from $180K to $350K.
6- Software Engineers Very Essential To Modern Day Society
If all software engineers despair, one day, the world will go into chaos all your favourite apps and technology will stop working.
There are teams of dedicated engineers working day and night to make sure things work, and all these essential services stay operational, which is why software engineers are essential to modern-day society.
7- Software Engineers Can Become Successful Entrepreneurs
It is very easy to start a tech company not because software engineering is easy (It is quite difficult) but because you can do it anywhere, you do not have to start with crazy high capital, and your expenses are very minimal.
In addition, tech startups can easily get funding from venture capitalists and private equity funds, which means they can become entrepreneurs. Software engineers try to solve very complicated problems, and because of the many potentials in this space, there is always a chance to start your own tech company.
8- Software Engineers Can Work Anywhere
This means you can work from home or in the office. This flexibility of work has created a life-work balance. Most tech companies have created a hybrid work environment that does not force engineers to go to the office daily. This made it easy for software engineers to focus more on work and pursue other activities.
5 Reasons To NOT Study Software Engineering
While the above are compelling reasons to do software engineering. The following are some cons that come with such a career.
1- Software Engineers Can Become Obsolete
Being a software engineer means you must keep learning and be up-to-date with technology. Because tech keeps evolving, engineers need to keep developing themselves. Failure to do so means that you become irrelevant and can easily be replaced with another engineer.
Software engineering is different from other engineering jobs, such as mechanical engineering, where you can build on top of your existing knowledge. In contrast, in software engineering, you must keep evolving or become obsolete.
2- Software Engineers Experience High Workload Stress
All software engineering jobs can be quite stressful and sometimes meaningless. Being a software engineer means working with large teams and working on small things that might seem insignificant.
With that also comes high workload stress, meaning you have to finish a project or a job by a certain date. In addition, the job’s complexity adds to the stress, which we will discuss shortly.
3- Software Engineers Work Crazy Hours
Yes, some software engineers work crazy long hours, especially if you are in a tech startup or a higher management position. Engineers have to spend hours solving problems and troubleshooting codes, which takes time.
In a study we did, we asked 100 engineers how many hours a week they work. We found that software engineers, on average, work 46 hours a week, which is above average compared to the normal 38 to 40 hours a week. See the results in the full article: We Asked 100 Engineers How Many Hours Do They Work?
4- Software Engineering Is very complicated
Engineering is difficult to study and work in. And if you want to become a software engineer, you must have a solid math background and coding knowledge. You must spend hours coding, learning new languages, and solving different problems.
The studies you must do will keep you busy through most of your university degree. Most software engineers are overworked through university with little to no university experience.
5- Software Engineering Jobs Are Highly competitive
Software engineering jobs are very competitive. You have to keep on improving yourself. Even looking for a job takes a lot of work and effort. You must apply for tons of jobs, do mock interviews, and keep working on your resume to nail a job at a big tech company. Working in such a competitive environment and profession is usually very difficult.
Should You Do Software Engineering Because It Offers A High Salary With Many Benefits?
If your motivation to do a software engineering degree is because of money or benefits, then you should avoid doing it for the following reasons:
- You can make a lot of money elsewhere, such as real estate or investment banking, with half the effort
- The work is very challenging, and you will spend most of your time learning new things.
- You need to be able to solve problems and contribute to improving the company you are working for. If you are not performing well, you can easily lose your job.
Despite the above, you should always look for a career that gives you high satisfaction, but you should also consider the income potential. For more reading, check: Which is more important: High salary or job satisfaction?
Alternatives to Software Engineering Degree
There are many alternatives to Sofware Engineering. All engineering degrees are compelling. Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering are excellent alternatives that are also in the same industry. Choosing an engineering degree can be challenging. Which is why you should check our guide for What Engineering Degree Should I Do? Make A Choice Now.
