<p>This is quite a long read, so please bare with me.</p>
<p>I am currently a Computer Science major. I took 2 years off after high school because I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I transferred with an A.A. from a local Community College. I started at a CC because I honestly had NO clue what I wanted to major in. In High School I thoroughly enjoyed all the computer classes I took. I didn't have any programming ones though. I had basic ones like Networking, A+, Web Design, etc. I just know I would really enjoy a job in which I was working with or manipulating computers.</p>
<p>My main worry is that I have no experience with programming. I don't even know if I will enjoy it. The concept sounds interesting in theory, but who knows if I take the class next semester and hate it? The math is also quite scary. I haven't been doing great in my Calc 1 class and I have to go all the way to Calc 3 as well as Physics 1/2 w/ lab.</p>
<p>I am currently 22 years old. I still live at home with my parents. Most people around my age are finishing up college and starting their lives. I am just getting into the beginning of my major. I was unable to take a programming course this semester due to Calc 1 being a pre-req unfortunately. I just feel like I would have wasted 1 year if I try programming and do not like it. If I stick with this major I will also have to go for 3 years minimum. The idea of not achieving my degree until 25 is sort of upsetting.</p>
<p>Are there any programming assignments I could do without being in a class? I would really like to see if I could figure out whether or not I like programming before next semester, and if not, change my major.</p>
<p>I know I would still like to do something relating to computers for a major. The other options are a BS in I.T. (online only which is unfortunate), Management Info Systems (Business), and Info Systems (Engineering). Info Systems is still very math heavy like Comp Sci. Is an MIS degree a lucrative option? I have heard mixed things about this degree.</p>
<p>What kind of advice do you guys have for me? Any advice whatsoever would be appreciated immensely. I apologize for the long read and I hope you can understand where I am coming from!</p>
<p>No one knows if they will enjoy something until they try it, and the same is for you. If it sounds like there is any possibility of you liking it, keep trying. Especially in tech majors, I think it is common to have doubts due to the difficulty. I’m sorry, I do not know where you could get exposure. Maybe download C++ and try to teach yourself? Or maybe YouTube videos will help; they often are a wealth of knowledge.</p>
<p>Is the only job I can really get with a CS degree a programmer? The only thing is I don’t know if I could just have a job where all I do is type away and write code ALL day. I would like some sort of human interaction. I don’t mind working in a cubicle, but I would like to be able to interact with others and communicate and what not. Will I be alone for the most part with a programming job just typing code 9-5 and what not?</p>
<p>Is computer science primarily programming? Could I get a business related IT job with a CS degree or would they prefer an MIS or something else? I would definitely prefer a job in the IT field, BUT I am unsure if I want to do programming for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>My dad is a programmer, and from what I understand, it is mostly coding a lot. But depending on where you work, you could potentially do business and interaction. It just depends. However, right out of college, you would be a programmer writing code somewhere. There are other aspects, however. Theoretical topics and things of that nature are very academic and often math intensive.</p>
<p>Also, I do not have an official source, but I think a high number of people with CS degrees end up not even programming 20+ years later. It is a degree grounded in math and logic, and it is a good basis for anything math related down the road, as long as you keep yourself educated in current topics. It’s just like engineering, the fact that you have a degree in it proves that are capable.</p>
<p>It is just a lot easier to get a job coding all day than it is some unique one.</p>
<p>What is the main difference between a CS major and an IS major? They are both Engineering disciplines. What are the different job prospects for each respective degree?</p>
<p>Anyway. Hmmm The math is interesting to learn, but I feel it’s boring doing the homework. <em>Sigh</em>
The math isn’t really that bad for computer science major. By the way, 3 semesters of calculus isn’t that bad. </p>
My classmate in data structure is 50+. A lot of older adults are in school again. You are not too old!!!</p>
<p>Well. I think that’s fine. You can have summer courses to make up at a least one semester. Look. If you ever change your major again, that should be the last one. Unfortunately you don’t have that many years to spend time in college - you have to pay for the tuition too!</p>
<p>
Computer science is not software engineering. It’s just the applied side of computer science.
If you want to do something related to software engineering, your best option is either computer science, or computer engineering (a special concentration of CS + EE, which is a lot harder). People will tell you to avoid IT degree at all cost, if possible.</p>
<p>We have CC members here that are EE or Math gradautes and they work as software engineers. I have met several business majors and they are software engineers with no college courses in CS. The difference is the type of work they work for. Obviously I think Google would prefer people to have background in CS or CpE. But a speaker who went to my school for lecture graduated with math and he has been a software engineer for many many years.</p>
<p>Your major does not tie you to the tree. You can go into field you want, as long as you are qualify. Obviously you can’t become a doctor without attending medical school -.-</p>
<p>If you choose to become a software engineer, your work should involve programming for the most part. Beside that, regular meeting, documentations are all necessary.</p>
<p>If you choose to become a computer scientist, then programming isn’t something you do all the time (again depends on the type of work you do!!!). You might be the one designing the alrogtim, writing a proof, or something. </p>
<p>There are business people that are encourage to know programming language because it can help the company’s growth. One example would be the communication gap between the marketing department and the web development people. There are frameworks that are designed such that non-programmers can understand the design of the website with little background in CS.</p>
<p>Beside coursework, you should always find enough time to do something on your own. It could be just writing codes (like solving a programming puzzle), or design a game (mini), or reading codes. Maybe find an internship or something.
Attend computer science related club meetings, if any.</p>
<p>As a CpE student I take as much CS courses as the CS students do (with a few exceptions). Right now I spent like 2 days to implement a C++ project. The design and debug process is really tedious. For the first project I literally spent 3 days on it, and I had wasted like 20+ papers. The current project which I just finished took me 2 days and wasted like 10+ papers. But I learned a lot because I am restricted to the ways I implement the program, and efficiency is important!!! </p>
<p>1) Don’t start with C++. It is the most complex (unnecessarily so) language.
2) Keep your programs simple. Solve problems by divide and conquer.
3) You don’t just blindly type code all day as a professional. You have to think about what you are doing. And most important is quality, so you’ll be doing a lot of testing.
4) But before you do any coding, you have to fully understand the problem and what is trying to be achieved, so you’ll need to do a lot of communicating and not just on paper.
5) You’ll have to be able to concentrate on a problem for hours at a time. If you were writing a novel, you wouldn’t just write a perfect paragraph and take the rest of the day off. Yes, it is hard. Yes, some days you’ll have failure after failure and need to redo everything. So if you are easily frustrated and give up on things after a few attempts, consider something else. Especially when there is a learning curve, it takes time to get good. A concert pianist can spend thousands of hours learning to play something perfectly. It takes plenty of practice. And sometimes very small mistakes of misunderstandings can have large impacts. Plus there’s plenty of writing: technical documents, user manuals, etc. If you like puzzles and figuring out how multiple pieces interact, you might like software. Logic is a large part, but you have to be able to imagine the end result of your efforts. Like an art form, style and the way you attack a problem play a big part in software design.</p>
<p>When you say “People will say don’t major in IT” are you referring to the Information Technology degree or IT related degrees in general such as IS/MIS/CS/Comp Engineering etc?</p>
<p>Yes, I need Physics 2. The math for CS at my university consists of Engineering Calc 1-3, Physics 1-2 w/ Lab, Linear Systems, and Engineering Statistics. The math for IS is relatively similar, but Calc 3 is not required and you can take Life Science Calc if you want rather than Engineering Calc. Is Life Science Calc easier? Another thing that scares me with the IS/CS engineering majors is the required math. I haven’t been doing too well in my Calc 1 class thus far. I didn’t do too well on my first test. I have never taken Calculus NOR Physics in high school which likely puts me at quite a disadvantage. I am nervous as to whether or not I can successfully complete the math portion of this degree.</p>
<p>There isn’t a Software Engineering degree per say at my university. Can I get other jobs with CS rather than just programming such as a System Admin or IT Analyst or something like that (Can’t think of any other jobs ATM :P). I guess I am making assumptions already that I won’t like it. It does seem interesting, but writing lines of code all day sounds like it could get somewhat boring. These are all assumptions of course.</p>
<p>Also, those 3 years minimum include summer courses each year so I can’t really shave any time off if I change majors.</p>
<p>I will also check out the info and exercises you linked.</p>
<p>Thanks VERY much for your input. It is much appreciated.</p>
<p>I am referring to Information. Don’t get confused with MIS/IS with CS, and don’t get confused between CS and CpE.</p>
<p>Easier? I think there are fewer “engineering” application. Obviously the biology calc book that my professor showed us the other day was A LOT lighter than the one I used as an engineering student.</p>
<p>No CS is fine. Software engineering is just a method. Think of it as a production cycle.
You can certinaly get those jobs as long as you have the experience and knowledgeable. I believe you need the certificates to get those jobs as well. </p>
<p>Well I can feel the headache that you want to work as soon as possible. That’s the headache, right.</p>
<p>I think mrego described the whole programming process already. My favor is documentation (well as a student -.-).</p>
<p>Software engineering is basically using a programming language to get something done, for example, creating an iPhone application?</p>
<p>–edited
I think I should restate something again.
When I say avoid IT, I meant that if you want to become a software engineer, then obviously with CS background is better.</p>
<p>Its not so much that I want to work as soon as possible as I keep coming back to my age. If I was 19-20 in this predicament it wouldn’t phase me as I would still have plenty of time. I just feel like I should be almost finished at 22. Not only just beginning. The fact that I will not graduate until I am 25 at the earliest is somewhat nerve wracking.</p>
<p>EDIT: Jwxie, ignore my PM. I understand you fully now. I read that sentence individually rather than pulling it from the supporting paragraph. My mistake.</p>
<p>Do you guys believe that if I am interested in I.T that the only worthwhile degree is CS or Comp Engineering?</p>
<p>Are Information Systems (Engineering) or Management Information Systems (Business) useful or are they worthless?</p>
<p>I would love some input from this. I am kind of confused on what to do if IS/MIS degrees are useless. I am not 100% sure if I want to be a programmer for the rest of my life. I am interested in other aspects of the IT world. Would an MIS/IS degree help me get a job in the IT field besides programming or are they useless?</p>
<p>There is a way to get into the software engineering field without getting a degree, and that is through certifications. Now I have to warn you that with only an AA, you are putting yourself at risk. Let me explain. You probably realize that a lot of people can major in anything and get jobs after they graduate, even some of the more ridiculous fields. Well, you probably also deduced that it’s because the employers may not even care as long as they have marketable skills; the degree tells them that they were dedicated enough, have credentials, and are able to work (well, should be able to) in industry. For this reason, I have to say that you must really think about the reasons why you’re so afraid of spending another 3 years in school. Your friends graduating earlier than you is no excuse, unfortunately, and 3 years is nothing versus going through your life without proof of higher level education (nothing against AA holders out there).</p>
<p>Now if you really really have to, there’s an alternative. You can take certifications tests for different skills or languages or skills in certain languages. They’re held by certain companies and really all you have to do is pass a half-dozen tests and you’re in as good a position as a normal IT graduate. However, you’ll have to buy a lot of books and you really must be disciplined as well as good at figuring things out on your own and using all the resources you can to make sure you know everything. It’ll take you, if you’re quick, at least a year and a half I’d say, and if you take summer classes then you shorten down your degree time to something like 2 years so I don’t see much of an advantage of taking this path, but it’s an alternative if you ever need one.</p>
<p>You should try and learn Java, it’d be a good stepping stone to C. Just start by Google’ing ‘How to learn Java’ or something like that, you’ll find tons of resources.</p>
<p>Every language is complicated. I think C++ is not that scary at all. It doesn’t have a lot of cool magics like Python at first (unless you start playing with STL as a beginner!!!) Even so you will need to know a lot about the language, which I do agree that C++ is not friendly at all.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much in the same boat as OP. Stuck between CS and IS/MIS. CS math scares the hell out of me even though my school only requires Calculus 1,2, Linear Algebra, and some discrete math I think. I do not think Physics is required. MIS is cool but it’s not as specialized as CS or CpE. It’s also a pretty heavy business degree and I never really pictured myself as a businessman nor have much interest in it, but it is easier. Regardless, MIS or CS both have the potential to make a lot of money, probably have an easier time finding a job with a CS degree though.</p>