Mechanical engineer to software industry.

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jigsaww

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jigsaww
Feb 10, 2020 32 Comments

My younger brother graduated with mechanical engineering degree last year but now wants to move to software industry. Has anyone done like this before? This is in India. Specially telling this because mechanical engineers have tough time changing fields here.

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TOP 32 Comments
  • Bank of America / Eng
    Ptrk_B8man

    Go to company page Bank of America Eng

    PRE
    Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    Ptrk_B8man
    This experience is not related to India but I know SWEs who have transitioned into the field without CS degrees. One has a PhD in civil engineering and the other has a bachelors in mechanical engineering. They are both pretty good engineers but they had to learn some fundamentals of CS like data structures and stuff. It would depend on how rigorous of an interview the place gives
    Feb 10, 2020 3
  • Amazon
    zefJezos

    Go to company page Amazon

    zefJezos
    Im a Mech Eng with a master's. Started my career in the software industry as a researcher in numerical (simulation) methods, which was my background/thesis. Easily transitioned to a pure software role at the same company, and eventually started interviewing outside. Got multiple offers, including 2 FAANGS and MSFT, and accepted Amazon. Not a single company gave a crap about my lack of a CS degree. Just know your stuff.
    Apr 7, 2020 2
  • This is one of the reasons I moved to the US, I graduated in mechanical engineering but learnt CS fundamentals online, through udemy, pluralsight etc., Interviewed and got the job.
    Only thing that matters these days in the US is leetcode.com
    I'd assume there are companies out there even in India which only care about your leetcode practice and not the degree.
    Feb 10, 2020 0
  • I have bachelor in mechanical, masters in computer science. So does the leader 3 levels above me. I have a coworker with electrical engineering bachelor and masters in computer science. Engineering is a strong backbone to build CS career on, but you need that CS degree too if you want to be taken seriously.
    Feb 10, 2020 2
  • Amazon
    aa7184

    Go to company page Amazon

    aa7184
    Same here. BTech in mechanical engineering. I did the transition during college - I enjoyed competitive programming and that led to a career in software engg. It was difficult to get companies to take me seriously. But once you get a foot in the door, it gets easier.
    It is important to understand why you are trying to change to software. I know tons of mechies who love doing what they do (non software) and many cse graduates who hate doing code work.
    Apr 6, 2020 1