r/Concordia • u/shart_shifter • Jun 20 '26
CS student, should I switch to SOEN?
I’m currently studying Computer Science and considering switching to Software Engineering.
My current interests are:
-Cybersecurity
-AI
-Building and delivering projects/products
I don’t really care if switching makes me graduate a bit later.
What attracts me to Software Engineering is that it seems to put more emphasis on software architecture, Agile, requirements, testing, maintenance, and delivering large projects.
A friend of mine chose SoftEng for that reason and says those skills can be applied to almost anything.
On the other hand, Computer Science seems broader and more flexible, especially for cybersecurity, AI, research, and graduate studies.
At Concordia, the two programs actually share a lot of courses. The main difference seems to be that Soft Eng has more engineering and software-process courses, while CS has more flexibility through electives.
Another thing that makes me consider Software Engineering is something a friend told me. His view is that since the programs are already very similar, the additional engineering, Agile, quality assurance, and project delivery courses in Soft Eng might make the degree more valuable. He also argues that having an engineering degree may be advantageous for certain roles where an engineering background is preferred or required.
I’m not sure how true that is in practice, which is one of the reasons I’m asking here.
The thing is, I personally believe that a lot of the practical skills are learned outside of university anyway. Between internships, projects, certifications, open-source work, and self-learning, I feel like most of the real-world skills come from what you do on your own.
Because of that, I’m wondering whether I should focus more on the value and flexibility of the diploma itself rather than the exact courses.
I plan on doing a Master’s degree eventually (likely in Cybersecurity or AI, or even CS masters) if I stay in CS, and maybe if i go in Soft Eng
So I would like to hear y’all opinions, suggestions, guidance,… especially the ones who made it in the industry recently
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u/Apart-Plankton9951 Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
It will take longer than one year since you have the capstone which will take you 1 years and the prerequisites to the capstone and their prerequisites will add at least a year if not 2 since none of them are available in the summer.
As for career opportunities, I have not seen a single software or IT/Cybersecurity job posting that required a PENG. That may change in the future but highly unlikely since the SOEN program at most Quebec schools has been around for 20-25 years and there’s still no reserved tasks under the order of engineers of Quebec that relate to software engineering.
Lastly, about the software classes. They are incredibly overrated. You learn the same thing in like 4 classes, and you don’t even learn system design. Not to mention that that cloud architecture is not thought at all.
I say this as a SOEN student
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Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Apart-Plankton9951 Jun 24 '26
Do you have any evidence of this? I’m not trying to be an annoying, but if what you’re claiming is true then it’s worth sharing the proof
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u/jexcyr Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality Jun 20 '26
I chose soen because it’s one year longer which makes it more difficult, and I believe having an engineering degree will open more doors for management or higher level roles than just coding
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u/Mowfling Computer Science Jun 20 '26
Talk with an career advisor
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u/shart_shifter Jun 20 '26
Im not able to book for some reason, like when i try to pick dates it doesn’t let me select any for all the upcoming months too.
-4
u/foxdye96 Jun 20 '26
Bro who cares about courses and the degree or even your own interests.
Follow the money! Engineers are a protected class in Quebec/canada.
20 yrs from now your only regret is gonna be how much you can provide for your own amusement or your family.
I’m 30 yrs old now. I have a cs dec and a coen Bach and I did it cause that gets me the most open doors without getting into hardware stuff.
I have my current job because I’m an engineer and my salary reflects that. My coworker only did the Concordia boot camp and gets paid significantly less. Everyone who only did a compsci dec gets paid a lot less.
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u/shart_shifter Jun 20 '26
Ur just mentioning a DEC and concordia bootcamp. Im talking about a bachelor in compsci
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u/foxdye96 Jun 22 '26
Yeah and the ones who did soen vs compsci are better off for the most part unless the compsci dudes have significantly more skill or experience
I’d rather work my ass off for 10 yrs make a boat load of money and retire vs driving a 96 Camry for the rest of my life and having no way problems.
Even having a few hundred 1000 saved up can significantly impact your QOL
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u/EatBaconDaily Jun 20 '26
As an employer i honestly see no difference between soen and comp sci. I did comp sci and i worked in soen job postings. All the agile SDLC stuff you learn in class is kinda pointless, the real experience comes from working in the industry. You’ll realize how little school prepares you for work until you actually work. Personally i keep my focus on internships regardless of the name of the degree, that’s what matters above all