I don't think software is really different - there are certain companies with unrealistic expectations that want fresh grads to know the obscure libraries and A

I don't think software is really different - there are certain companies with unrealistic expectations that want fresh grads to know the obscure libraries and APIs they rely on, but that's relatively uncommon. e.g., I got hired into Amazon out of school, and they use a crapload of proprietary software internally I had to learn in a hurry. Software supports this model of operation as much as traditional engineering. I've also interned in traditional engineering before - and the differences really aren't significant. Both software and traditional engineering fields highly value internship experience both as an indicator of competency and as a recruitment tool. IMO software simply does this on a much larger scale - e.g. literally hiring thousands of interns across a single summer.