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As an aside, in some jurisdictions you can't just call yourself a "Software Engineer". For example, here in Canada "engineer" is a professional designation. Any

by kohanz 14y ago

As an aside, in some jurisdictions you can't just call yourself a "Software Engineer". For example, here in Canada "engineer" is a professional designation. Anyone using the term in their job title could face actions from the professional licensing body in their province (http://www1.peo.on.ca/enforcement/callmeengineer.htm http://www1.peo.on.ca/enforcement/callmeengineer.htm). It would be like inserting "Doctor" into your job title without a doctorate or an MD. I completed my degree in an accredited engineering program, but have yet to complete the application for my professional designation (needs 4+ years of engineering experience and an ethics exam) and so my job title is "Software Developer" instead of "Software Engineer". One notable difference is that as a professional engineer, in some instances, you assume liability for your work and are not necessarily protected by your employer against legal action resulting from a mistake you made. That said, a lot of companies pay no attention this and use the engineer title without proper designation.

voidlogic 14y ago
So in Canada say I have a B.S. in Computer Science and a Masters in Software Engineering- I can't call myself an Software Engineer? Talk about ridiculous...
- kohanz 14y ago
  No, you could, you would just have a more difficult path to the official title than most. If you didn't complete your undergraduate degree at an accredited engineering program, then you can take a series of technical proficiency exams to establish that you have the technical knowledge necessary (this is the same path for people with unrecognized foreign credentials). After that, you would still need to do the same as those who took an engineering undegraduate degree: get 4 years of experience in an engineering role (supervised by an engineer) and pass the ethics exam. Your Master's degree would likely count as some of that experience. In the mean-time, you do the same type of work with a different title, like "Software Developer" or you can add "EIT" on the end (Engineer in Training). Then again, you could most likely just call yourself a "Software Engineer" anyway and nobody would hassle you for it. My current employer is the only one that has ever cared, and that is because they have some governmental affiliations.
ishbits 14y ago
Unfortunately the term software engineer is used in Canada a lot. The only places I know of that don't use are places that also hire 'Engineers' to do 'Engineer' stuff.

by kohanz 14y ago

voidlogic 14y ago

So in Canada say I have a B.S. in Computer Science and a Masters in Software Engineering- I can't call myself an Software Engineer? Talk about ridiculous...

kohanz 14y ago
No, you could, you would just have a more difficult path to the official title than most. If you didn't complete your undergraduate degree at an accredited engineering program, then you can take a series of technical proficiency exams to establish that you have the technical knowledge necessary (this is the same path for people with unrecognized foreign credentials). After that, you would still need to do the same as those who took an engineering undegraduate degree: get 4 years of experience in an engineering role (supervised by an engineer) and pass the ethics exam. Your Master's degree would likely count as some of that experience. In the mean-time, you do the same type of work with a different title, like "Software Developer" or you can add "EIT" on the end (Engineer in Training). Then again, you could most likely just call yourself a "Software Engineer" anyway and nobody would hassle you for it. My current employer is the only one that has ever cared, and that is because they have some governmental affiliations.

ishbits 14y ago

Unfortunately the term software engineer is used in Canada a lot. The only places I know of that don't use are places that also hire 'Engineers' to do 'Engineer' stuff.