Software Engineering vs Electrical Engineering (Opportunities)

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>Assuming that I enjoy both fields equally, which major would provide me with the most opportunities as far as jobs go? </p>

<p>Right now I work as an electronics tech based solely off of my experience (I have no degree) but the work is leaned more towards maintenance and some of it is not even electronics related. For instance most of the time I am just cleaning and changing out wear components but other times I actually am repairing the electronics, which is the part that I enjoy. So its not all bad but I'm hoping I could do better with a degree. Anyway, I've recently been thinking heavily about going back to school and am torn between Software and Electrical Engineering. I really do enjoy both. Computer Engineering is probably not an option for me though due to my circumstances.</p>

<p>Any thoughts from people who have some knowledge regarding these two fields? Thanks.</p>

<p>Based on BLS figures, software engineering. See the BLS OOH.</p>

<p>Yeah. UT also did a study on this, and supposedly CS skills will be in demand 10x more than EE.</p>

<p>bumper cars.</p>

<p>Thank you for the responses, those sites were very helpful. So my options are pretty limited, first I live in the Portland area and will have to stay in that area. Second, I am looking at four year degrees only right now. One offers a Software Engineering Technology degree which I have a question about. I know the difference between an EE and an EET degree, does this difference hold true for software degrees as well? </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.oit.edu/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=32341,32301,4503,1,Documents&MediaID=13504&Filename=set+tega+2006-07.pdf[/url]”>http://www.oit.edu/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=32341,32301,4503,1,Documents&MediaID=13504&Filename=set+tega+2006-07.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The other three offer degrees in computer science.</p>

<p>[Portland</a> State University Computer Science Department | Home](<a href=“Computer Science | Portland State University”>Computer Science | Portland State University)
[WSU</a> Vancouver - School of Engineering and Computer Science - Computer Science, BS Degree Requirements](<a href=“http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/encs/compsci_bsreq.html]WSU”>http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/encs/compsci_bsreq.html)
[Oregon</a> State EECS: Graduate Studies](<a href=“Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | College of Engineering | Oregon State University”>Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | College of Engineering | Oregon State University)</p>

<p>This last one is kind of far but if I’m serious about it, which I am, I think it would be doable. </p>

<p>I know this might be a little far fetched for me to ask of someone’s time but if anyone could take a look at one or two and give me some opinions I would really appreciate it. I have been researching some of the colleges and information from students is scarce when it comes to specific programs. Or should I just ignore these opinions and maybe sit through some of the classes? Thanks.</p>

<p>Sorry, the last link should be:</p>

<p>[Oregon</a> State EECS: Undergraduate Studies](<a href=“Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | College of Engineering | Oregon State University”>Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | College of Engineering | Oregon State University)</p>

<p>…and not the graduate link.</p>

<p>Software engineering technology IS NOT the same as Software Engineering, just like EET is not the same as EE.</p>

<p>CS is what you want. Most SE degrees are not so very different anyway.</p>

<p>The programs at all three places look to be of good quality. In particular, I liked the first one. The second was good. The third looks very nice, but that it is an “EECS” program gives me pause.</p>

<p>I don’t understand why you think you could do CS or EE but not CE ‘due to circumstances’. That doesn’t make any sense since the CE is usually a combo of the other two.</p>

<p>I suggest you select one of the ones mentioned (CS, EE, CE) and just start pursuing it. Go with your gut instincts after you make sure you’re informed as to what each one entails. Go to the particular colleges’ websites to see the typical courses youd need to take to make sure you’re informed. You’ll figure out fairly quickly if you enjoy the programming courses or the EE courses more and then can switch to one or the other if you decide to with little to no loss of time since so many courses are required for any of the 3.</p>

<p>AuburnMathTutor, Thanks, I wasn’t sure. Most of what that college offers is a “Technology” degree, at least at my campus location . </p>

<p>ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad, I was originally limiting myself to only one college after reading some not so good things about others but by my second post I had opened up to them. Location is the real limiting factor but some of the ones I linked above offer CE so yes, CE is an option. </p>

<p>Thanks again, hopefully I can talk about some of these things with the college reps next week.</p>