I’m having trouble deciding on a major. I am currently in my junior year of high school and I really need to choose what I want to study. I started learning computer programming from the age of 9, starting with Flash, though that doesn’t really matter. Then through my teens I learned how to program in HTML, PHP, JavaScript and a little bit of Java. I’m learning HTML5 on my own, but all I know is that I really love working with websites. I’ve coded several HTML blog templates for a company and have learned to build websites from scratch. I can work with Photoshop and the designs is general and I also have some experience with website advertisements, tracking the views, things like that. Basically I know I like this stuff and I know I would like doing something like this in the future, though I don’t know if its worth it nor do I know what major to look for if I want to do something like this. I asked a couple people and everyone suggested Computer Science. I want to do Psychology as a minor or maybe even a double major because I really started to like after taking the AP course. though that is rather irrelevant in this case. I don’t know how good I would be with software and theory which is why I am worried I might not like Computer Science. I’m good at math so that is not a set back. I’m interested in design and game programming as well, but I don’t have much experience. I feel like I would love to be a project manager as well, and I am interested in the marketing and advertisement part of websites as well. So yea, I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!
Web programming is a bit different from CS, especially HTML/CSS/JS etc. It’s in the space of CS, but especially academically, it’s not the focus at all. It sounds like the closest thing to what you’re doing is web programming, though I don’t think many offer it as a degree. Many websites use heavier CS languages now, but web design / front end design specialist type person is still significantly common. Most schools, in their entire CS department, have a course or a few courses on the subject, usually later electives. CS theory and logical math WILL be a significant portion of academics for a CS degree.
For web programming v CS, which do you actually prefer? Websites and their design aesthetically or complex / efficient / detailed programs? That question should help you in direction there. Consider hte first end design, the other end CS, and the middle a mix aka web programming.
Design and Game Programming aren’t as linked as many people think: a good game programmer will need to essentially have a CS background PLUS the artistic eye. Essentially it’s a dual degree. Otherwise, you will be in one subspace: a straight CS major can work with gaming, or a designer can aid and design game graphics without the full CS ability.
As far as straight design, that’s a fair option. Don’t write it off. Personally, I think it sounds like the most likely option from the OP.
It sounds like Psych is a personal interest: good. Take a few classes and maybe a minor, but I would recommend against a double major. Enjoy it, learn, but it sounds like its a god secondary option.
You’re a junior, there’s no need to decide QUITE yet.
For your college search, I recommend looking for design schools, and then one of schools that offer web programming / some variation that isn’t straight CS and/or straight CS schools, depending on the answer to the above. Then pick between the tow/three later in the process as you think on the options.
One note: I also came from design and web programming: I started in photoshop, picked up HTML/CSS my sophomore year, then progressed to C, PHP, and eventually on to AP CS. I’m now a CS major and couldn’t be happier to leave to straight web programming behind. I can do it, but I would much rather work on the complex details, algorithms, large systems, and other classical CS topics.
Good luck! You seem to be thinking about all the right things, you’re in a good position.
You’re still young and have many years for other Computer related interests to grow. But even if your focus is always on websites, i would still recommend Computer Science with a minor in Psychology. Taking a CS degree will expand your awareness of things computer-related and will help you critically thinking and take better approaches when it comes to your front end javascript and back end Rails, PHP, Java, etc. It also gives you a great deal of flexibility to pursue other aspects of computers, while still being able to offer courses that are very website heavy. Many schools offer a big course called Web Applications or Internet Applications Engineering. Also, having a CS Degree will make it easy to get a Front-End html/css/javascript job right away.