Why Is Demand for Software Engineers Growing Faster Than Computer Engineers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the differing growth rates in demand for software engineers compared to computer engineers. Participants explore the implications of these trends on career stability and long-term investment in education and skills within the fields of computer science and engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the projected growth rate of demand for software engineers versus computer engineers, suggesting that the ease of replacement in applications programming may make computer engineering a better long-term investment.
  • Another participant argues that the demand for software engineers is driven by the greater number of applications needing development compared to the need for designing computers.
  • A third participant emphasizes the importance of terminology, noting that computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, and information technologies are distinct fields, and that many computer science graduates may not enter traditional computer science roles.
  • Some participants discuss the perception that software engineering may not provide as stable a job as computer engineering, raising concerns about job security in the software field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the stability of jobs in software engineering versus computer engineering, and there is no consensus on whether the demand for software engineers is justified or sustainable.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential confusion arising from the categorization of roles within the broader field of computing, which may affect perceptions of job demand and stability.

avant-garde
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I was just wondering, but why is the demand for computer scientists (well actually it says "software engineers") projected to grow at a much faster rate than that of computer engineers?

I thought that most comp sci grads go into applications programming, who can basically become replaced by newer grads much easier than computer engineers get replaced. Thus, a career in comp engineering would be a better long-term investment, no?
 
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Because there are far more applications that need to be built than computers that need to be designed.
 


You need to use the right terms. Then again, so does BLS (they lump computer scientists and database administrators in the same category).

Computer science ≠ computer engineer ≠ software engineering ≠ information technologies.

The demand for computer scientists per se is rather low. Most comp sci graduates go into something other than computer science. Computer programming, for example.

Software engineers need to know how to program but it is not the core of what they do. While many computer programmers do call themselves software engineers, most haven't the foggiest idea what software engineering is. Do you?

Computer engineers do not need to know how to program, period. (It is nonetheless a good idea for them to have this skill.)
 


DavidSnider said:
Because there are far more applications that need to be built than computers that need to be designed.

Hmm... but this does not merit a stable job, does it? It seems to me that C. Engineering would usually bring a more stable job than software engineering...
 

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