<p>I am a Freshman in college right now and have to decide on my major now. I love technology and know my way really well around it so I believe that Computer Science will be a good choice. I know that the U.S</a>. Bureau of Labor Statistics website states that computer science will be above average and one of the fastest growing careers. However, my research led me to some other information that states that the "Tech Bubble" will burst and in return it will bring the downfall of the computer science ever growing demand. I wanted to hear some opinions of what you think about a computer science degree. Also if you have or just recently graduated with a B.S. in CS can you let me know how long it took you to get a job and the area you are from. Additionally, I was told that a job in computer science field is very short term which means you have to job around a lot. Can anyone confirm this?</p>
<p>Okay. None of us have a time machine for 5, 10 or 30 years in the future. The US could experience a major environmental disaster tomorrow, or a civil war just as you graduate. But equally, the economy could get a boost from new technology or misfortunes to other countries around the world. You could drive yourself mad trying to guess so go with what you know to be fact with some prudent ‘what if’ caution. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the notion of a job for life with one company is the exception rather than the rule nowadays. The specifics will vary according to which sector of the industry you want to work in. Don’t forget that you could also start your own business. This has many risks but also has the potential for high reward for the right person.</p>
<p>If you enjoy computer science as a major, go for it. It can in no way be described as an ‘underwater basket weaving’ major :)</p>
<p>You can look to do a bit extra than normal to try and improve your employment odds. Learn the desirable programming languages. Get internships with the sort of organisation you want to work for. Build up a portfolio of skills o you’re not only ready for employers but they’ll find it hard to turn you down.</p>
<p>My younger son is a college Junior majoring in computer science because he likes it, is reasonably proficient at it and believes it has good career prospects. However, I have to agree with highland_poppey that none of us can predict the future with certainty and events might unfold that make it a poor career choice. You have to remember though that this will be true no matter what you major in.</p>
<p>Looking at our society today it is hard to imagine that computers will not continue to play an ever increasing role in our lives and that their will always be a need for people who can program them. Some years might be more favorable than others for CS graduates but I am pretty sure it is going to be one of the safest career paths.</p>
<p>Thank you for your responses. What a great help. I am a bit confused now on what the difference between software engineering and computer science is. My school offers both and seem to be the same up until the last year or so. Can somebody explain what the difference is and what the better option would be? A list of job examples would be great.
Thanks ahead of time.</p>
<p>My brother majored in computer science many years ago, he has had no trouble finding well-paying jobs. I think one thing a lot of employers like in the engineering/programming fields is that they are fresh out of college because they know a lot about the latest techniques/methods being used in business, industry etc. Being a graduate right out of college often gives you a better chance at a job then someone who is a bit older. Which also means as a computer science if you want to work in programming you will have to stay updated on the newest, widely-used programming languages because they can often change. From what I’ve heard it’s a lot of learning you still have to do even past your college career.</p>
<p>I doubt the demand for computer science majors will drop in the next few years… As Lemaitre1 said previously, computers are and will become an even bigger part of our lives, and thus people will need to be there to program them.</p>
<p>Not to mention CS is very versatile. My brother has worked for many different companies doing many different jobs, for example he works at home for a bank right now, and has had equal luck finding good jobs both in the Midwest and Florida.</p>
<p>In regards to your question about software engineering, I haven’t really heard of that before. But on Wikipedia it says (refer to BLS if you don’t trust it)</p>
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<p>While it is somewhat outdated, I think possibly software engineering is a type of computer science? It may be more related to applying software but Wikipedia says otherwise in the first sentence of that article.</p>
<p>CS has the best outlook of any degree. Hell with all the political chaos in healthcare right now it might have a better outlook than medical/pharmacy school when you factor in time and debt.</p>
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<li><p>The government is (expletive) and always outdated by virtually any standards, ignore BLS reports even if they are positive.</p></li>
<li><p>Go on indeed.com and check out programmer salaries and the sheer amount of CS openings out there compared to… Everything else. I know someone who learned JS/PHP, got really good at it, picked up a CS degree as a cherry on top and is making $120,000+ a year in his 20s. Of course it’s hard work with long hours and you spend your life at a computer and everything changes faster than you learn it, but you didn’t ask about that.</p></li>
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