>>> why can’t software engineering be a real engineering discipline like civil engineering
Programming pays better than civil engineering or mechanical engineering.
The software team pays better than the hardware team, and programming in support of hardware pays like hardware. When asked why, the answer is: "Software is more valuable because it's closer to revenue." And: "Software has no cost after it has been written once." No manger or engineer can explain what this phrase means, but it's taken as conventional wisdom.
Programming pays better than civil engineering or mechanical engineering.
The software team pays better than the hardware team, and programming in support of hardware pays like hardware. When asked why, the answer is: "Software is more valuable because it's closer to revenue." And: "Software has no cost after it has been written once." No manger or engineer can explain what this phrase means, but it's taken as conventional wisdom.