I wish I could give you some purpose... because you're right software engineering (or software) is just a tool to solve a problem. problems are best solved with purpose... I know I'm lost like you when I don't know my purpose or problem to solve... Perhaps saying this will help you see software is a tool... sometimes we obsess over the tools (interesting problems) but usually we just use them to get to our goals. Not sure what kind of problems you like solving or if problem solving is what gets you excited... but for me there is a little bit of a hit every time... A new tool just equals a new potential solution to a future problem... It is hard to learn new tools, don't be fooled...