So I am a freshman, and am really trying to figure out which career would be the best for me. Ideally it would be something that actually requires a degree (otherwise what’s the point of college?). My choice should also give me access to a decent amount of job opportunities. My problem is that I have been hearing a lot about these professional software engineers/developers that never got a degree in CS, yet are still successful in a CS field. On the other hand, I have also heard that there isn’t much job opportunities for EE’s. So I am wondering
1.) Is what I hear about EE correct?
2.) Is CS a worthwhile degree to get?
3.) Would it be beneficial to get a dual degree?
CS is not the same as programming. Programming is one of the skills you would learn in CS,
but there are many programming jobs that do not require all the skills learned in CS.
Many people end up working in an unexpected field relative to what they majored in school.
I think the best thing to do is to figure out which one is best suited to your skills and interests.
People often hire engineers and computer science grads into many different types of jobs just because
it is understood you must be smart and a hard worker to have gotten such a degree (with decent grades
from a decent college).
There are good jobs for people who are tops in their field. Work hard at something you like
and feel capable of doing.
Also note it’s usually easier to transfer from engineering to CS than vice versa.
if you really think you like electronics, start with EE but take intro CS classes,
to see which you like better.
@blevine – what have you heard about Computer Engineering? I don’t much about college majors these days but it seems like that major may straddle the EE/CS border for the OP.
I would say pick the field you like, but one question you may want to ask yourself is which fields of work are more or less likely to be in the sights of national governments that support programs for getting that kind of work domiciled within their national borders or at least “owned” by their citizens abroad who could contribute wealth back to their country of origin.
Both fields are going to offer good job opportunities and are worthwhile. People could debate in circles which has better job opportunities and is worthwhile, but as others have said, what you want to do is far more important.
If you go into either of these fields just to make money, you are going to be miserable. Actually pick something you remotely like.
For all intensive purposes, think of it this way: EE is hardware, CS is software, and CE is the middle ground between them. Do you have any preferences between those?
What made you gravitate to CS/EE in the first place besides job prospects?
No matter what, I would not advise doing a dual degree - one will be more than enough.
@droppedit I switched many years ago from CE to CS. CE was closer to an EE degree.
One of my kids goes to a school here EE and CE are the same dept, called ECE.
Those who love math and programming should consider CS.
Those who love tinkering with electronics, in addition, could consider CE or EE.
Personally I think CE related jobs would tie you to an employer and specialty such that
if/when things don’t work out, the next job may be anywhere in the world. Exciting if young/single,
not so much if married with kids when you are older.
Personally I meet many people with both degrees who work in fields not precisely related to what they studied.
But this is a bit more true for engineers than CS grads. Study based on which classes excite you and
those that seem more intuitive to you.