• FiniteBanjo@feddit.online
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    3 hours ago

    Mixed feelings because obviously studying for a degree implies maths and sciences which does qualify you as an engineer, but imo “software engineer” isn’t a real thing. You’re either a computer engineer or a code monkey.

    • Eager Eagle@lemmy.world
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      3 minutes ago

      It’s not a real thing because it’s virtual? Or not being regulated makes it not a real thing?

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      2 hours ago

      “Software engineer” will be a thing when it’s licensed by the state. Until then, we’re all just glorified cowboy-coders with no accountability.

      (Speaking as computer programmer with an EIT in a different field.)

      • BartyDeCanter@piefed.social
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        2 hours ago

        Yeah, I moved into software from electrical engineering. “Software engineers” are rarely doing engineering. Though, weirdly, the LLM-assisted coding methods seems to be leading to more of a focus on specs, design documents, and testing methodology, which almost makes it more like actual engineering.

      • NotSteve_@lemmy.ca
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        2 hours ago

        IIRC you can’t actually use the title “Engineer” prefixed or not without having a P.Eng license here in Canada. Of course, that didn’t stop my previous American employers from giving me the title of Software Engineer but it’s not supposed to be allowed

        • masterspace@lemmy.ca
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          2 hours ago

          Yeah, I’ve looked it up and this is definitely the case, I’ve also had both Canadian and American employers refer to my position this way continuously with no repercussions (I similarly have an engineering degree in another field and was an eit and am now in software).

          It’s weird because if the provincial engineering societies were serious about enforcing their rules, it would take them ZERO effort to find thousands and thousands and thousands of violations through like a single LinkedIn search. The fact that they dont put in such a minimal amount of effort kind of signals they don’t care about the rule.