I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology last year with a bachelor’s degree in Physics. I have had a hard time finding a job and would like to go back to school for a bachelor’s of Software Engineering. I would not like to get in much more debt so I am looking for a SUNY school. However the only SUNY school that offers a program in Software Engineering is SUNY Oswego. Is this a good school for software engineering? Is it comparable to RIT? Would I be better off going to a different SUNY school for Computer Science/Computer Science and Engineering/Computer Engineering? I want to make sure I can get a good job right out of college. I want to make sure that the program is very challenging and will present opportunities to work in the industry like RIT’s Co-op program. I don’t care at all about campus life, I just want to know how reputable the school and program are.
Why software engineering vs computer science vs computer engineering?
Have you looked for jobs that require a technical background like systems engineering? or look at telcommunications jobs…
Unless you have a whole lot of money to pay the cost out of pocket remember that you will not be eligible for need based aid at either school. My recommendation is try getting a job with the degree that you have. If your employer offers tuition reimbursement, take advantage of it and get a second bachelors or grad degree that way.
Look up quality engineers in your area…for example:
https://careers-ortho.icims.com/jobs/4293/quality-engineer-1/job?hub=18
This is an entry level job that just wants you to have a technical background. “A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or other related business field is required.”
Those are the types of jobs you could look for.
Master’s in CS/software engineering may make sense. Really, just get the skills.
If you already have a physics degree, you only need three or four programming classes to get a software job. Maybe look into online certificate programs in software engineering. A couple examples follow, but there are many other schools offering certificate programs.
https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/professional-graduate-certificates/software-engineering-certificate
https://extension.berkeley.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17558767
Nothing wrong with SUNY Oswego if you decide to go that route, though.
What about a few CS classes from stony Brook? Can you commute there?