<p>So I'm a sophomore now and I really love computers. I love java, video games, and helping people on computers. The idea of working for companies like google, yahoo, etc. is also really exciting to think about. So I think that the logical thing for me to do is go to college for some computer related field. (software engineer? maybe) Anyways, I'm scared to go into that career. Here's the problem. I'm a very social person! I wouldn't like the idea of sitting at a computer screen all day; I like to get out and move. Don't get me wrong programming's fun, but are there other major in the computer science field that let you be active? Second, when I went to computer camp this summer the people in the program were either antisocial, or plain rude. I'll probably encounter these people if I go into this career! Should I stick with it? I'm also a girl so I'm afraid they'll be no other women in the field and being with guys is fine but it's nice to have some female interaction from time to time. Thanks in advance!</p>
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Tech support? Some of the IT people at my college spend half their day running up and down the hallway, fixing lots of little computer problems all over their assigned building. :)</p>
<p>ahh! I’m a senior in CS right now, and let me tell you, you have NO reason to be scared about being locked in a room all day on a computer! CS is not all about programming, and even when it is, it is more so about working in teams. Big companies like Google, Yahoo, etc, wouldn’t be successful if one person worked on things alone! There is plenty of social interaction involved in CS and programming when working on projects.</p>
<p>I’m a girl too, and while in CS classes I am usually one of maybe two girls, there hasn’t been any issue outside of class. I agree though, that the students can sometimes be antisocial/awkward/rude, but you’ll find each year that this becomes less and less. I guess boys are just a little slower than us 
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<p>In the field there are plenty of women AND opportunities for women… honestly being a girl in CS helps a lot 
There are conferences for women only, like the Grace Hopper Celebration, that are a lot of fun and all about meeting other technical women.</p>
<p>As for getting outside, I’m not sure what you could do outside, although I don’t doubt there are plenty of options, because one of the things I love most about CS is that you can do basically ANYTHING in ANY field, and having a CS degree will help you :)</p>
<p>Hopefully this information helps! As you can see, I’m pretty passionate about CS so don’t let being a girl or fear of being stuck in a room, coding in a dark basement get you down… those are just stereotypes!</p>
<p>Me too.</p>
<p>Well, I’m a guy and I think for the longest time I’ve wanted to do computer science. But I took a crack at it a few years ago and I did alright but I remember it was a bit difficult. I tried it again this week and I could not get the thing to compile and run… My computer was recently reloaded and so everything is still adjusting and connecting and I realized how little I know…</p>
<p>I think I might switch to Finance/Econ… :/</p>
<p>The Univ of MD Baltimore County (UMBC) offers a fabulous program called Center for Women & Information Technology (CWIT). They select about 12-15 incoming freshmen each year to participate. CWIT provides abundant educational support and mentoring for their female students. They actively encourage more women to pursue a career in computer science or information technology. My D has applied for the program. I believe that Carnegie Mellon also has a similar program called Women in Computer Science. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>ComicStix:</p>
<p>You sound like someone that is dear to my heart. I was worried about the same things you were (all except being a women part…lol). But let me tell you- it is almost better to NOT be like everyone else. Let me give you an example-- I’ve been in IT for 13 years now. The stereotype is that IT people are anti-social and have no personality whatsoever. This is true of a good number of people I’ve encountered with. However, talking to a career advisor one day he asked me: “why is this bad?”. Look, can you can program like them? Yep. Can you figure out problems like them? Yep. Can you communicate like them? NO-- you are social and can communicate. And that is a good thing. This sets you apart from the pack and I gurantee if you are good at programming and can communicate YOU WILL GO FAR IN THIS FIELD! A lot of the anti-social folks have no interest in going into management where the BIG BIG bucks are at. You will have a chance to shine.</p>
<p>Now, on the flip side, there are a good number of people that are friendly and that are like you. It’s just less than the number of people that are working at a retail store, for example. But why would you want to work like somewhere like that anyway? Stand out, be different…</p>
<p>Finally, my company does do WIT and there are a good number of women that participate in it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Be confident! The fact that you’re social will be a big advantage, especially since upperclassmen will be your #1 biggest resource in any major. Nobody likes antisocial and rude people, and the nice majority of the CS majors don’t either.</p>
<p>This helped me as well! I’m also a girl who wants to major in computer science and I’ve always wanted to know a lot more.</p>