<p>Im currently an undergrad attending UCSD pursuing a major in Computer Science. Im not so sure how well my school ranks in terms of their CS program but hopefully that would not deter companies from hiring me. I've been getting a lot of input from different people so I hope some of you can ease my worries. </p>
<p>So Ive been quite worried because Ive heard that a cs/engineering career is not as stable as most expect. Companies are constantly looking for fresh, new bloods, young graduates who are up-to-date with the newest technology/programming language. For that reason, veterans who have been working at the company for a longer period of time, with a higher paycheck, are more likely to get laid-off and replaced by new blood. </p>
<p>Also, Ive been hearing that a lot of the things you learn in undergrad school are not used in the work place. Sometimes you may have a degree specializing in a certain area but the company sends you back to school to specialize in something else so you would learn what you need to know for the company, and sometimes that may be something entirely new. </p>
<p>Ah, I hope that made sense. It sounds a bit confusing even to me. </p>
<p>Hopefully some of you can confirm or reject these rumors for me. Im a first year student so Ive been hearing a lot of different things from different people; its hard to separate whats truth and whats not. </p>
<p>In my experience, people's paycheck is a function of their capabilities. Veteran engineers who enthusiastically learn and keep up with the latest developments in their field, develop a broad set of skills, become leaders in their workplace, and mentor younger engineers are the crown jewels of their company. They are indispensable and compensated accordingly. Engineers who do the same thing for years without growing technically and figure that it gives them "job security" can be in for a rude awakening. If your paycheck grows, but your value doesn't, you have a problem. </p>
<p>I don't think its too much different in any career or business except that as an engineer your career depends on you keeping up. It's not a good career for those that don't like lifelong learning.</p>
<p>You can never replace a strong engineering with a wide variety of skills, be it a good manager or a specialist. Experience is another key thing.</p>
<p>Nothing is stable. I agree with CRD, you have to stay current, whether it's engineering or another profession. I would suggest you consider combining engineering with something else. It gives you an edge as things evolve during your career.</p>
<p>In any discipline that has the potential to be outsourced (and comp sci falls into that category) look for a first job that requires a security clearance that the employer will pay for. Whether you stay on the engineering side or move to the management side, engineering and comp sci jobs that require a security clearance are not likely to be sent overseas.</p>
<p>The advice I've been giving my kids is to acquire a combination of expertise. I've been working with software and technology professionals for most of my entire career. The people who are an inch wide and a mile deep are going to be most at risk in terms of stability and having their jobs sent offshore. Those who can successfully combine comp sci with business; engineering with law; engineering with psychology, etc. will be the most successful going forward.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the input. Until now, I have never noticed that many of the other professions also requires a person to constantly go back to school and keep up to date with the times. </p>
<p>I was wondering if a minor in perhaps foreign language or business be of any help? Or is it really necessary to double major in comp sci and something else to gain that combination of expertise?</p>
<p>Actually, I didn't mean combining engineering with another profession. Even as just an engineer, you become valuable by learning how to learn on your own, but keeping up with your field, by developing expertise in areas peripheral to your main expertise so that you can be versitile, and by developing leadership and mentoring skills in the work place. Non of this requires formal training, it just requires a fearless open minded attitude and a realization that your "education" is never finished.</p>
<p>I agree. Engineering is a constantly evolving profession, and if you don't keep up with the current methods, trends, technologies, you run the risk of being replaced by a recent college grad. Some companies realize the benefits of lifelong learning and offer tuition reimbursement for those who wish to take classes part-time or attend industry conferences. Also, if I'm not mistaken, licensed engineers are actually required to obtain continuing education credits every year.</p>
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Also, I’ve been hearing that a lot of the things you learn in undergrad school are not used in the work place. Sometimes you may have a degree specializing in a certain area but the company sends you back to school to specialize in something else so you would learn what you need to know for the company, and sometimes that may be something entirely new.
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<p>Depending on which field you're in, you may use very little of what you learn in school in industry. You just use your knowledge as background information, but don't really do the same things as you did for college problem sets. A VP at a company that I used to work for said he only used 5-10% of what he learned in college at work.</p>
<p>Paper, since you are majoring in comp sci, you definitely be using quite a bit of what you have learned as well as everything you've learned in analyzing and solving problems.</p>
<p>The analytical and problem solving skills is what will stay with you from project to project and job to job. The specific programming languages and hardware will change over time, the problem solving and communication skills will always be used.</p>