This is why I will never call myself a software engineer, despite having a master's degree with a specialization in "software engineering." It's kind of an insult to actual engineers. Software Developer works just fine.
Most “actual engineers” do trivial shit just like most software engineers/developers.
But I do agree that developing software is usually more of an art than a science and a lot of software engineers just make business apps where not much of the engineering background is required.
My CS program was in my school's college of engineering, which had a much more rigorous application process than the lib arts school. The first two years were essentially the same for CS, CE, MechE, ChemE, etc - lots of math and physics.
Maybe I'm just a bit sore. While society doesn't stereotype us as badly as before - the typical low status nerd - most of that improvement is due to SV engineers making such good money. But it still feels like we're not respected the same as other higher paying careers like law, medicine, or even other types of engineers. I mean I've actually had managers who probably make less than me assign me remedial tasks like fixing their laptop or resetting their password.
It's a shame, because it's only one of them that I feel will stand the test of time.