4 answers
Ashly
Student
Tucson, Arizona
2
Questions
Updated
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What are the pros and cons to becoming a hardware or software computer engineer and how do you figure out which one fits you?
I want to go into computer engineering. I know general differences between hardware and software but I would like to hear from people who work on both. Is one easier than the other? Is one more active than the other? How did you decide which you wanted to focus on? Thanks for the help.
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4 answers
R. Aquiles
Electrical I&E
7
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
R.’s Answer
Hi Ashly,
Software Development is going through a firing frenzy right now because of AI. Junior Devs are not being hired nearly as much. I haven't heard anything about the future of that side of the business but it is not looking spectacular at the moment.
Computer Engineering is different from software development in that you learn how to write programs for microchips. These are used in everything, from printers to refrigerators. It is just a different animal, though you know some of the same things.
The other portion of it is that because robotics are coming soon, computer engineering should be one of those fields where there may be more opportunity in.
Software Development is going through a firing frenzy right now because of AI. Junior Devs are not being hired nearly as much. I haven't heard anything about the future of that side of the business but it is not looking spectacular at the moment.
Computer Engineering is different from software development in that you learn how to write programs for microchips. These are used in everything, from printers to refrigerators. It is just a different animal, though you know some of the same things.
The other portion of it is that because robotics are coming soon, computer engineering should be one of those fields where there may be more opportunity in.
Arpit Jain
Senior Manager, Engineering
6
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Arpit’s Answer
Hello Ashly, that's an excellent query! Let me share my perspective.
From my standpoint, the most effective method to identify your ideal field is to delve into both and discover what truly captivates you. Consider enrolling in beginner's courses for both hardware and software engineering, or seek out opportunities to participate in projects spanning both domains.
Here are a few introspective questions that might help you gain more insight:
1) Do you derive pleasure from hands-on activities, or are you more inclined towards abstract thinking?
If the idea of constructing and fiddling with gadgets excites you, hardware engineering could be your calling. On the other hand, if you enjoy dealing with code and algorithms, software engineering might be your cup of tea.
2) Do you possess patience and a keen eye for detail?
Hardware engineering demands a high degree of accuracy and meticulousness. Software engineering too calls for a detail-oriented approach, but it tends to be a tad more lenient with errors.
In the end, the most reliable way to determine the right field for you is to experience both and identify what brings you joy. Don't hesitate to experiment and venture into diverse facets of computer engineering. With perseverance and commitment, you're bound to excel in either domain.
On a personal note, I initially embarked on my journey as a hardware engineer for a brief period, working on IP-based PBX in the telecom sector. I then transitioned to software engineering, dabbling in quality engineering, backend and frontend development, as well as middleware. Currently, I lead a team tasked with building SDKs. I find immense satisfaction in addressing scalability issues and truly value the agility and swift progression of software projects.
From my standpoint, the most effective method to identify your ideal field is to delve into both and discover what truly captivates you. Consider enrolling in beginner's courses for both hardware and software engineering, or seek out opportunities to participate in projects spanning both domains.
Here are a few introspective questions that might help you gain more insight:
1) Do you derive pleasure from hands-on activities, or are you more inclined towards abstract thinking?
If the idea of constructing and fiddling with gadgets excites you, hardware engineering could be your calling. On the other hand, if you enjoy dealing with code and algorithms, software engineering might be your cup of tea.
2) Do you possess patience and a keen eye for detail?
Hardware engineering demands a high degree of accuracy and meticulousness. Software engineering too calls for a detail-oriented approach, but it tends to be a tad more lenient with errors.
In the end, the most reliable way to determine the right field for you is to experience both and identify what brings you joy. Don't hesitate to experiment and venture into diverse facets of computer engineering. With perseverance and commitment, you're bound to excel in either domain.
On a personal note, I initially embarked on my journey as a hardware engineer for a brief period, working on IP-based PBX in the telecom sector. I then transitioned to software engineering, dabbling in quality engineering, backend and frontend development, as well as middleware. Currently, I lead a team tasked with building SDKs. I find immense satisfaction in addressing scalability issues and truly value the agility and swift progression of software projects.
David Daudelin
Software Engineering / Management
5
Answers
New Jersey, New Jersey
Updated
David’s Answer
Hey,
As a software engineer myself, I think the most important thing is to choose the one you're most passionate about. Throughout my career I've consistently chosen roles that I was more passionate about / provided better experience or learning over other roles that had higher pay / were more prestigious and have always been glad I did so.
There can be incredible careers in both (on the hardware front I'm thinking of advances in quantum computing at Google and AI chips at NVIDIA) but are also both incredibly different types of work and I'm quite sure I'd be miserable on the hardware side.
So really recommend trying to experience both sides of the work if you're not strongly leaning towards one already either in a personal project or an unpaid internship or research lab, something of that nature.
As a software engineer myself, I think the most important thing is to choose the one you're most passionate about. Throughout my career I've consistently chosen roles that I was more passionate about / provided better experience or learning over other roles that had higher pay / were more prestigious and have always been glad I did so.
There can be incredible careers in both (on the hardware front I'm thinking of advances in quantum computing at Google and AI chips at NVIDIA) but are also both incredibly different types of work and I'm quite sure I'd be miserable on the hardware side.
So really recommend trying to experience both sides of the work if you're not strongly leaning towards one already either in a personal project or an unpaid internship or research lab, something of that nature.
Jonathan Chu
Software Engineer
10
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Personally, I ended up choosing the software engineering route during college.
My computer engineering route that I was originally on track to do contained a lot of mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering courses that I didn't have that much interest in. I was semi-interested, but not as much as I was in software engineering courses that I had taken! I found that since I enjoyed software engineering courses more and found the principle of coding with less physics focused engineering more entertaining to me, I would continue going down this path as my career.
You will still have to know math, physics, and basics of engineering as a software engineer, but not necessarily to the degree that you'll need to know them as a hardware engineer. It's hard to compare them since I've only done software engineering, but I expect they're both equally intellectually stimulating and challenging in their own ways!
Hope this helps!
My computer engineering route that I was originally on track to do contained a lot of mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering courses that I didn't have that much interest in. I was semi-interested, but not as much as I was in software engineering courses that I had taken! I found that since I enjoyed software engineering courses more and found the principle of coding with less physics focused engineering more entertaining to me, I would continue going down this path as my career.
You will still have to know math, physics, and basics of engineering as a software engineer, but not necessarily to the degree that you'll need to know them as a hardware engineer. It's hard to compare them since I've only done software engineering, but I expect they're both equally intellectually stimulating and challenging in their own ways!
Hope this helps!