So I have a question about computer science in general.
I would like to build “stuff” in the future, not just program my whole life. I’m not sure if I did right by majoring in Computer Science instead of an engineering field. I could always get my masters in Software Engineering but I was wondering, if I like to build “stuff” and watch it come to life, would computer science still be something I should major in?
Yes I like coding, but I would also like to build “stuff.” By “stuff” I mean technology such as virtual reality goggles and so forth.
I’m not sure if I am doing right by majoring in Computer Science rather than MEng, EEng, computer engineering, so on…
Another question is, can I go to an engineering graduate school if I majored in Computer Science during my ungrad years?
A CS major doesn’t preclude you from building. Those projects need cs talent and as you gain experiences, you work your way to the more specific role you want. It’s not like an engn degree means you automatically get to work on x and y. Each degree means you usually work on parts of the whole.
CS may begin to settle down (lowering salaries over time if the tech shortage is ever filled), but it’s not a bubble that will pop out of nowhere. For better or worse, so many businesses rely on technology and will need people to build and maintain it. The need for the industry is not going away. It certainly isn’t oversaturated at all right now either.
My daughter majored in the combo: EE/CS. She works for a large corporate company. She participates by designing something that may or may not be built in future years.
My husband is an EE, it took him 20 years to see his design come to fruition. Things get in the way like specs, funding, employee support, etc. FYI: Those VR goggles were designed about 20 years ago (the “basics” anyway).
ME majors tend to design and build things that will be seen in the current years.
@kgonzale It’s definitely becoming extremely oversatured. I was told by someone that it’s not uncommon for even junior developer positions in moderately popular areas to get 500 applicants.
Also if you want to build things you should probably be looking to major in mechanical/electrical/computer/robotics engineering, and not computer science.
Computer science programs usually do not follow the basic engineering course background required of an ME or an EE major. ME and EE are where the robotics applications interface with engineering. Going into accredited masters programs in engineering with a typical CS background would require some statics, dynamics, materials, thermodynamics and design background which you might not have.
In some schools, only one unit of Physics is required for CS, then, science elective can be from Bio/Chem/Envi. That again will be tough for CS undergrad to pursue Engineering grad.
I do embedded systems development. I also mentor a robotics team. There are a lot if similarities between the two. I have an applied math/CS background.
In my opinion the field isn’t oversaturated and a CS degree, backed up by some physics & a healthy interest in Arduinos is a pretty good starting point.
The first job isn’t the last job, always look for jobs that expand your skills.
I’d like to add that IE/OR or systems engineering study on top of a CS background can be quite powerful, IMO. It’s a different genus of thinking entirely compared to ME/EE, and not for everyone, but devastating in the right hands.