Which is better? Computer engineer or programmer?

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
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Well uhh... yeh. Still in that period in time where I can still decide what to be. But now as time goes by, I'm going to have to be pushed into one way into my job field of choice. Need some help deciding if it's better to be a programmer or an engineer. My parents expect a bachelors degree, in which they say computer programming does not require it... Also they say programmers makes less than engineers...

So... help me decide please :).
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
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Well, if you're going to do real programming, you sure as heck need a bachelors. Know of any Boeing programmers that don't have a bachelors? I'm not talking about IT-type people.... I'm talking about the people that program flight control software, implement control algorithms, etc.
 

HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
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what's a computer engineer in this case? one who builds them?
(i ask because around here, the programmers are "engineers")
 

Cattlegod

Diamond Member
May 22, 2001
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don't go into engineering for the money. you can make more money elsewhere if that is your goal. go into engineering because you like to solve problems.
 

Tu13erhead

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2005
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Originally posted by: HN
what's a computer engineer in this case? one who builds them?
(i ask because around here, the programmers are "engineers")

In short, Computer Scientists deal with software, Computer Engineers deal with hardware.
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
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Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
don't go into engineering for the money. you can make more money elsewhere if that is your goal. go into engineering because you like to solve problems.

FWIW, Computer Engineering is a very good paying degree. Cnn.com regularly lists the highest paying majors, and while CEs weren't shown on the 2006 list (CE sometimes gets mixed in with EE), they appear at #3 in last year's article.


Good to see Accounting is #8 on that list. :D



 

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
10,507
0
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Originally posted by: Cattlegod
don't go into engineering for the money. you can make more money elsewhere if that is your goal. go into engineering because you like to solve problems.

If so, what's a better option?

I live near Microsoft in Redmond, so I'm trying to decide...