I’m a prospective freshman (International Student, no green card) and will attend the Ohio State University.
Originally, I applied for Computer Science, and I was accepted. The reason why I wanted to apply for CS is that all my friends, family, and teachers recommend me to apply for CS. Because they think I’ll have many opportunities to find OPT, even a job in U.S. after getting CS degree. Plus, the salary is so high that it really attracts me. In addition, I’ve taken some Computer Science courses at online Open Courses and learned python.
But after taking those courses, I find I’m not into computer science. I don’t mean it’s too hard to learn, but I just cannot have fun with computer science. Actually, I don’t know the reason why I’m not into computer science is that I’ve not felt a sense of achievement or just CS is not right for me. So I really confuse currently because I may feel better after taking more and more courses, but it indicates that I have to spend much time learning CS until I feel better.
Should I change my major or just keep going in this situation??----(Question 1)
If I decide to change my major, I think (Food Science and Technology) and (Food, agricultural, and biological engineering) will be my backup. The way I see it, it’s more interesting than CS. However, I think there are not many advantages for international students(no green card) getting OPT or job in the U.S. Basically, I cannot point out the difference between the two major.
Which one is more advantageous and easier to find OPT and job in the US between Engineering degree or Science degree as an international student?---- (Question 2)
Thanks for replying!!
@Louis33
Food Science/Technology and Agricultural Engineering may be more interesting from your point of view, but it will be far harder to get OPT compared to Computer Science.
In the US, Agricultural Engineering is not in demand (and employment increases are far lower than average). Since you are from Ohio State, your chances of getting a job range from slim to none. Ohio state isn’t even a top 10 school when it comes to Agricultural Engineering. Only students from places like Iowa State and Texas A&M are likely to get jobs when it comes to agricultural engineering. However, an agricultural engineering degree from an American university would be helpful in a developing or undeveloped nation (if that is where you are from).
Food Science/Tech would be considered average when it comes to employment statistics. However, in order to be useful, it usually requires at least a master’s or PhD. Getting a Bachelor’s in Food Science/Technology would pretty much be useless.
Question1)You should change your major if you feel that you cannot stand computer science. However, it will greatly reduce your chances of getting OPT and possible employment in the US (between slim to none).
Question 2)The science degree will be easier when it comes to OPT, however, that means you will need to go to graduate school before you will actually be able to find a good employment opportunity. As for the Engineering Degree, it will be difficult as an undergrad but not as difficult as the science degree. The main thing holding you back is that Ohio State is not particularity well known for it’s agricultural engineering program, and with very little employment opportunity in the US (There are only 2,900 total jobs in the US, with an increase of 100 each year || The amount of federal jobs means that international students will be excluded from a large sector) will result in a very small chance of OPT. Whichever path you talk (either Engineering or Science), your chances of getting OPT are very unlikely.
Food science and technology are both on the OPT STEM majors list, so they’re eligible for the additional 24 month option and all the other special STEM designators.
I don’t think that a BS in food science/technology would be completely useless - there are jobs in the food sciences industry that would only require a BS, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook lists “food scientists and technicians” as only needing a bachelor’s degree to start out, although more advanced positions would prefer an MS or PhD (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientists.htm#tab-2). It also doesn’t particularly matter whether or not a college is “known” for a specific type of degree, but I will say that Ohio State actually has a top 10 department in food science and nutrition. I’m pretty sure it’s not generally true that your chances of getting a job from Ohio State are “slim”, although I don’t know what the situation would be like for international students specifically. People often overestimate how important prestige or ranking is in getting employment.
However, it would most likely be easier to get OPT with a CS degree than a food science degree. There are simply more jobs in the area, and the field is growing far more quickly than food science and technology.
However, I don’t necessarily think that’s a good reason to major in CS. If you’re not interested in it, then you’d just be unhappy doing work in the field during the course of your OPT training.
One option is to combine the two - maybe major in food science and minor in CS, with an eye towards going into biotechnology.
Super thankful @juillet !! Your suggestion is really helpful.
There’s a major called food, agricultural and biological engineering(FABE) at the Ohio State University. Students who major in Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) specialize in one of four areas.
(Food engineering), (Agricultural engineering), (Biological engineering), (Ecological engineering).
Of course, I prefer specializing in food engineering. I’m the student of college of engineering, and the FABE belongs to the college of engineering. It means it’s easy to change major which is at the same college.
As a result, it’s easier for me to change my major to FABE than food science from computer science. But, I don’t know what the biggest difference between FABE and food science. Are these two majors similar? Literally, food science is more specialized than FABE because FABE contains other academic subjects. On the contrary, FABE is less specialized, but it means I can expand my span of knowledge much more than food science. Probably, it gives me more opportunities to learn and look for what I’m into besides food science. So, I’m confused because these two majors are attractive.
Therefore, I want to know should I choose FABE or food science and minor in CS.–question 1
Will be better if I double major with a degree in CS and FABE or food science?—question 2
Thanks for replying again.!!!
@RMNiMiTz I appreciate what you answer to me!!
So, do you think even though whether I major CS or food science, I should get the Master’s or PhD?
@Louis33
If you major in CS, depending on the job, a bachelors would be enough (you could go back and earn a masters later).
However, for food science, a master/PhD is pretty much necessary for a job.