I studied maths for my undergraduate degree, then did a postgraduate diploma in CS[1]. These days, I make software. The maths background was helpful for develo

I studied maths for my undergraduate degree, then did a postgraduate diploma in CS[1]. These days, I make software. The maths background was helpful for developing logical reasoning, rigorous arguments, and working with abstractions. Studying CS exposed me to a wider range of computing ideas than I’d encountered before, from formal models underlying relational databases to functional and logic programming. It also provided some basic but useful general knowledge about things like data structures, algorithms and complexity along the way. I’m glad I studied both areas during my academic career, but for me neither is “better” than the other for someone starting out in the software industry. They just prioritise different skills and mindsets and provide different background knowledge, so each gives a different kind of head start. I wouldn’t say either course taught me anything of great value about software engineering specifically, if we’re talking about the processes and tools used to actually design and build production software here. I think SE is more of a vocational/industrial field, and I wouldn’t necessarily expect a new grad in either math or CS to have much experience in, or even awareness of, the kinds of issues that come up in practice. [1] Very roughly speaking, the diploma course was a one-year conversion course for people with a technical but not CS background, which included the same kinds of topics you’d study in the first couple of years of an undergraduate CS course. Sadly, I don’t know of anywhere that offers a similar course any more.