[tmat]

There is a difference in engineering and programming. An engineer uses programming to solve an engineering problem. If all you can do is program, you're just not as valuable. Programming is one of many tools I use in my every day job as an engineer.

I think this goes back to being an expert in a "domain". Being able to apply programming to that domain is far more valuable.

[caseysoftware]

Quite possible but since everyone uses the term "engineer" without any context or specific qualifications, we should expect any distinctions to dissolve as people realize total morons are using it too.

* I have a bachelors in electrical engineering from a top ranked school.

[whathaschanged]

We used to call ourselves programmers. Then it became sexy to say developer. Now it is engineer. (Since you pointed out, it means something different to everyone, so its meaningless).

The future will be a new snazzy term. Same job, different title.

Software development is not engineering.

[auxym]

My point wasn't really the distinction between engineering and programming, but between everything IT-related (red-hot job market) and all-other-STEM related (not so hot job market): sciences (chem, bio, physics, math) and traditional engineering (civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical)