I want to eventually become a software engineer after college. Should I check Software Engineering off as my major or computer science? The reason I ask is because I read online that employers view people who major in software engineering as lazy because it isn’t as applied as computer science. Does anyone know if this is true? Also what schools in California are best for this career? (UC’s and Cal States) Any help is appreciated.
SE is not as common of a major at the UC’s and Cal States as CS. Depending upon your stats and your career goals, either major can get you where you want.
CS is available at the majority of the Cal States and at all the UC’s but realize this is probably the most competitive of the majors at these schools. UCI is the only UC that specifically offers SE while SJSU and Cal Poly SLO are the top Cal States. You might want also look into Computer Engineering along with CS/SE. Much will depend upon your academic qualifications for which program would be your best option(s).
Software Engineering is fine. Most CS grads end up doing software engineering anyway.
SE will be more applied than CS. One of the complaints that employers have long had with CS degrees is that they are too theoretical rather than practical.