Can't decide between CS and Accounting

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>Hello all:</p>

<p>This is my first ever post on CC and I hope it proves insightful and I get some honest feedback! </p>

<p>I first started school in 2010 after doing poorly in high school (I barely graduated with a 1.6 GPA) So, needless to say, I have been very determined to do the best I can in college. I do not want to waste this opportunity because I see it as a second chance to actually make something of myself. So, I enrolled in my local community college (Bristol Community College of MA, if anyone knows of it). I originally choose an Associates degree program called "Business Information Systems." It basically was a general type of program with different courses in databases, programming, fixing computers, etc. I liked it but then I realized I wanted to switch to a university so I'd have to change my concentration, not my major. Lucky for me! I switched my concentration to Management Information Systems (MIS) and to my surprise a lot of the classes I had done for the previous major had carried over. </p>

<p>Well, I had done MIS up until a few weeks ago when I realized that a MIS major was basically not the way to go. A lot of the careers that a MIS major would be suitable for required a heavy programming background and the program at my school only included 2 Java classes and mainly Management classes as part of this. Surely, two programming classes would not be enough to give me the background I would need for a position like Systems Analyst. So, I made the hard decision of finally changing to Computer Science. That's the major I'm in right now. </p>

<p>Here's where the problem comes in: during my time of doing MIS as a major, I got to take some business courses namely Accounting 101 and 102. After taking those courses I realized I was pretty good at them and I enjoyed it a lot. After getting a B+ in my Java class this year, it had me thinking. Is this CS stuff really right for me? I've always said that if I was going to be a programmer, I'd want to do Web Development because I find it more enjoyable. However, I don't know if programming is my passion. I originally went into the computer field because I wanted to fix computers and servers not because I wanted to develop software. So, now I'm confused and I honestly don't know what to do. I don't know if I should change my major for a third time to a liberal arts Accounting program and transfer with that or stick with my CS major and suck it up.</p>

<p>I think my biggest problem with programming is not because I don't like it or that it's challenging, it's that I don't think I have what it takes to be a good programmer. I don't feel like I'm smart enough for the field (I'm an average math student) and I don't feel like I know how to creatively solve non-trivial problems like some of my other classmates. I've only taken two programming courses, one in JavaScript and another in Java. I'm going to be taking Java 2 and C in the Spring. Maybe I should just give it some time?</p>

<p>Sorry for the wall of text but I just need some opinions. Are there any CS majors out there who have gone through the same thing? Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks.</p>

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<p>I just started my CS major, but I know quite a bit of programming. Anyone can be good at programming, you just gotta practice. And I took the first Accounting also. I was also good at Accounting. If you did not find that boring and you find CS boring, then go for the Accounting. I thought Accounting was extremely boring. It’s just basically recording data while CS is creating something and understanding logic. AND THE RIDDLES ARE SO FUN. In the end, they both have decent outcomes when you graduate so I would just pick the one you think is the most fun and interesting. If you’re the kind of guy that likes recording data, go for it.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the encouragement. I think I might keep developing my programming skills and see if it continues to interest me for another semester or so. I never found Accounting boring because I enjoyed learning about the business aspect of it and I didn’t mind the actual recording of accounts. I guess it’s just a wait and see type of deal.</p>

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<p>I believe you should follow your passion; which sounds like web development or accounting. If you have As and Bs in your accounting classes, with sufficient effort, you can likely get through the undergraduate degree. The two gatekeeper weed-out courses for Accounting BA are Intermediate Accounting 1 & Cost Accounting (managerial). It is easiest if you are going to continue studies in accounting to keep on taking classes without break; if you take break you may struggle more but it is still doable. I finished BA in Accounting and am taking additional courses for licensure education requirements. The good news: Accounting just builds and gets more complex, theory is more the focus in the 3000 and 4000 level though basics are still invaluable. The bad news: Less math at the upper levels and more theory questions/concepts. If you want to become a CPA, you must get the BA plus additional credits to get the license later. I may change to Statistics for graduate but accounting on graduate material would be same as the 3000 and 4000 courses. The intermediate theory 2 coursework pairs well with principles of finance, bond amortization tables. And tax is completely different in rules from accounting theory under GAAP. Good luck with the decision.</p>

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<p>I believe you’re right, Aleera. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I realized I’d have to struggle to find reasons to keep pursuing this CS major. And yes, I do understand the Intermediate Accounting courses are the one’s that weed people out but I’m willing to pursue the challenge. The university I plan to attend in the future has a great CPA prep program so I think it would be wise to continue to pursue this field. </p>

<p>Thanks for the insight into Accounting! It really has helped me affirm that I want to do Accounting or at least stick to a Business major.</p>