Hey all. In my fourth week of college going through a major I feel neutral of (biology). Not sure where to put this thread under, but here goes:
I’m looking into computer programming internships since the idea has piqued my interest (hey, it’s better than no guide, for sure).
After looking at some salaries and employability credentials just for curiosity’s sake, I’m starting to believe that computer programming is a more marketable and fufilling occupation in today’s economy than a becoming a doctor (seven more years of school after college?).
I’m not sure how to express this to my parents, and I’m not sure where I could fit this into my packed class schedule (including 8:30 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
Got any ideas on how to start cultivating this interest further?
Buy or borrow a beginners book on programming in Java or Python and see how you take to it. Also, follow some of the free programming lessons that are available online. If you enjoy it and learn it easily, then take the easiest beginners class that is offered next semester or during the summer. A career as a programmer does provide a good future for those who find it enjoyable and addicting. Many majors are starting to include introductory programming anyway, so you won’t be wasting your time.
Since you are kind of stuck with your classes for now (unless you are in drop add period), you could explore using a website like https://www.codecademy.com/
Then next year take a Programming 101 course.
or you coudl combine the two…
If you are really interested in applying your knowledge of computer science to biology then you could go for Bioinformatics or computational biology where you can make use of your programming skills (using java, python, Bioperl etc) to design software which can be used in biological research.