<p>I am struggling to decide what major I want to choose. I am deciding between graphic design and something related to computer science. I was wondering if web development is in the middle of those two. I enjoy the art side more, but the pay for the computer science is much higher. But I'm not really sure what computer science is, as in what would I do. And also I am not very good at math, is there going to be a lot of math involved in it? I was planning on taking Calculus next year, I'm a junior, but my Pre Calc teacher is basically saying I am not smart enough to take it. </p>
<p>The next step after pre-calculus is generally calculus, so if you’re doing reasonably well in pre-calc, then go on to calculus next year.</p>
<p>Can you take AP Computer Science at your school? Have you looked at online coding tutorials (like code academy, or something similar) to get a sense of what coding is like? What is your experience with graphic design? In my opinion, if you have an interest in computer science, I think it’s more useful to get a degree in that than graphic design. You could still pursue graphic design or incorporate those skills in your resume, and it’s easier to learn graphic design on your own by building a portfolio of your work. You could also take a couple of classes in it in college. A degree in computer science with experience in graphic design is a more attractive sell than someone with a degree in graphic design and some coding experience, in my opinion.</p>
<p>But you don’t have to decide anything now, assuming you’re a high school student. Try to get some coding experience to see if you like it. Take a computer science class in college, and look at the major requirements. You should figure out pretty quickly whether or not you’re willing to do it as a career.</p>
<p>In terms of job stability and pay, computer science is definitely a better decision. You should take an AP computer science class to get a better understanding and feeling. </p>
<p>By the time you graduate from college, there might not be much demand for CS majors as a LOT of people are majoring in CS because of all the current hype.</p>
<p>@Bouncer, the demand looks a lot higher than the fulfillment, even with the recent increase. The world is run on technology, and the more our society uses it the more relevant CS will be. In the US, CS is not nearly as popular as its applications are, and there should continue to be jobs for a good period of time in my opinion.</p>
<p>One Resource: <a href=“Promote Computer Science | Code.org”>http://code.org/stats</a></p>
<p>That said, we have heard things like this before about job markets, and our generation knows best that nothing is truly safe. But there are a lot of stats/sources showing CS as a good major choice in terms of job and salary security.</p>
<p>@chickennuggets</p>
<p>CS is very math heavy. You will need a full understanding of calculus which will be followed up by multiple higher level math courses.</p>
<p>Web Development is probably not what you are looking for in terms of a graphics / technical mix. I interned at a web based software company, and their design department was completely independent from their programmers.</p>
<p>Computer Science overall is a career for problem solvers. It overlaps with math a lot because it is a very similar thought pattern used to approach a CS problem as one would approach a real life math problem (not given f(x) find [insert academic answer/skill/progression here]). If you enjoy logical problem solving, I would look into CS more.</p>
<p>However, based on your OP, I would suspect you are more of the artistic type who would want to design how the user interface would look, not the logical progression behind it.</p>
<p>To be quite honest, I am not sure what the best decision is for you. If it was going strictly off of passion, I would say stay away from CS. Based on pay and security, run towards CS. I personally believe that passion is the more important of those two (gotta love the work you do to be happy), but that is a personal choice. One you need to make. Graphic design would probably be the best use of your skill set based on the information provided, but the job market is very saturated there currently. It would be a bit of a risk, but in your shoes, it is one I would take if I felt it would make me happy.</p>
<p>@baktrax
My school does not offer an AP Computer Science course. I have a basic knowledge of HTML but that’s it. I have a pretty good grasp on graphic design. I always try to incorporate design in some sort of way in my assignments if it’s appropriate. Do you have any suggestions for me to have some experience with computer science before I go off to college?</p>
<p>@PengsPhils
The demand in math for CS is what’s confusing me. For year 10 and 11, I had the same math teacher and she is the worst math teacher ever in my opinion and it’s hard for me to understand if I am truly bad at math or if I am just receiving a bad education. I try to go online to learn the material myself but most of the time I just end up confused. </p>
<p>You are correct when you said I prefer art over the logical progression but there’s still that job security and outlook that’s stopping me from pursuing what I enjoy more.</p>
<p>What is the happy medium between graphics/technical since you mentions web development was not the mix I was looking for? </p>
<p>@chickennuggets There are a lot of coding tutorial/classes that you can try online. A simple google search should help you. I’ve tried code academy before, which is sort of step-by-step lessons in different languages. There are probably a lot of other options as well. It might give you some idea of what coding is like.</p>
<p>If you look at math lessons on Khan Academy or Coursera or something, do you understand what they’re saying? If you find a problem online, can you solve it? I would wait until college before writing off the possibility of math entirely. Work hard to learn it, even if your teacher is bad. We’ve all had bad teachers, and sometimes you just have to learn it on your own. There are many calculus resources online that you can use to help you.</p>
<p>My recommendation wasn’t necessarily to find a way to combine the technical, coding side with the graphic design side. I just felt (if you are interested in coding/computer science) that it would be safer to have the degree in computer science to fall back on should you not be able to find a job you’re happy with in graphic design.</p>
<p>Regardless, you don’t need to decide right now. Take calculus when you can (next year or in college), try some coding on your own, and take a computer science class in college. Look into major requirements at some prospective universities and see how much math you would have to take. Keep working on your graphic design, and try to work on some projects to build up your portfolio.</p>
<p>@chickennuggets</p>
<p>Sadly there isn’t much of a medium. CS jobs pay so well and are in demand because of what they are, jobs that require what I layed out in my previous post. As you minimize the technical aspect, the pay level drops off a cliff.</p>
<p>In terms of math, how have you been with it over the course of your schooling? I find that in many cases, natural CS people tend to be good from a very early age. Even if they do not get the best grades, it is a subject that comes easily to them, sometimes to the point where they don’t study as much as they should and rely on natural talent to a certain point. Basically, does math make any natural sense to you or is it a subject you have to work at specifically to keep up?</p>
<p>If you want to try out coding, try Code Academy. That is your best bet for a sample that you can take further in depth if needed. When I was first starting, many people turned me onto this, and I know others that have used it and like it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.codecademy.com/”>http://www.codecademy.com/</a></p>
<p>If you start that, and it makes sense / is enjoyable to you, I would keep going with CS and just work hard in the math portion of your education knowing it will benefit and enable something you enjoy. If you don’t like it, I would bet graphic design is where your heart is.</p>
<p>@baktrax @PengsPhils</p>
<p>I took your advice and tried coding. I do enjoy it so far although there are some things I don’t understand as of now, but I’m just starting. I’m still not sure what computer science is. I know it’s the logical progression that makes things work. But is it just math and coding? I’m asking for the application process, I think, not sure how to word it. But in general what would I do in my career if I majored in it? Sorry this is confusing in anyway. </p>
<p>Regarding math, it doesn’t come natural to me. But again, I don’t know if that’s just the effect of my ineffective math teacher. But it is kind of hard concept for me to grasp. I had always been adequate at math until year 10 and 11, when I had the bad teacher. </p>
<p>Computer Science jobs will be programming mostly mixed in with IT department heads / managers. You make systems. It pretty much is math and coding. If you are looking to use artistic talent, you won’t use it much with CS (outside of designing some front end interfaces, but the function will always trump the look).</p>
<p>I would keep programming and go from there. You are in a position which gives you some time, so use it.</p>
<p>Personally, I started out in HTML/CSS, found I didn’t like design, and moved to true programming languages like C/C++/Java/Python/PHP(somewhat). Take some time and try it out, and if you still can’t decide, come back here later with a better idea of you and programming.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that nowadays, a typical CS degree requires only Calculus I, Calculus II and Linear Algebra directky from the Math department. A fourth course Discrete Mathematical Structures (usually taken after Calc 1 or Calc 2) is a CS/Math hybrid course that can be offered by either CS or Math. Most universities have dropped Calculus 3 and Differential Equations from CS programs. In your senior year, another CS/Math hybrid course, Numerical Analysis may be required.</p>
<p>Because of the reduced number of Math courses, a prospective CS student can actually start college with Pre-Calculus and still graduate in 4 years.</p>
<p>Honestly do what you love. I used to think I would go into finance or accounting because it would be big bucks, then I realized, “you’re going to do this for the rest of your life” so I decided im going into auto mechanics, make some money, then go to business school (or not lol). So I say follow your heart. Go in for design and get an associates degree in graphical design or whatever from your local CC/JC and get to work! Besides if all else fails you can get a job in sales and make 45K.</p>
<p>And honestly from what I hear entry level tech jobs are getting outsourced like crazy. Its not a great idea to get into tech until the economy comes back all the way, in my opinion at least, i wish you luck in whatever you do.</p>
<p>FTA, also the math in comp sci isnt bad really just calculus and algebra. Its the coding that kills. But if you do like comp sci by all means go for it, you will be making more money. But if you hate it STEER CLEAR because you will be doing it for 40 years after all.</p>
<p>Also another suggestion is IT certs with a graphical design degree. The certs can get you in the door far more easily than if you just have the degree.</p>
<p>@PengsPhils Alright! Thank you for your help, I’ll come back if I change my mind or run into more issues (hopefully I won’t 
)! </p>
<p>@GLOBALTRAVELER Eek… I really dislike math but it’s only because I have a bad background of it due to my terrible math teacher. Should I still enter the field despite of this? </p>
<p>@Ultimablade I have a very basic knowledge of coding so far, I hope to work on that and start an art portfolio over the summer. Since I only have such a small amount of coding experience, I’m not sure if I fully like it yet. I heard CS is basically coding and math, and math is my weak point. I would personally enjoy a combination between graphic design and web development but I don’t know what major would consist of those. </p>
<p>@ChickenNuggets</p>
<p>You will have to get at least B’s in those math courses to be accepted into the last 2 years of the CS program.</p>
<p>First off, go with what you love to do. Both college and the years after will be much more fun. If you enjoy what you do, you will adapt to the level of dollars you make much more easily that hating life while making big bucks.</p>
<p>CS will be more programming and systems work, like earlier posters have said. You will have to take math. If that isn’t for you, you might want to investigate some of the Information Systems degrees offered through a university’s business college or informatics college. You will get some programming but it won’t be as math intensive. Depending upon the school there can be more options for mixing in web design.</p>
<p>You might also want to investigate user interface design and usability. This is a field that includes both design elements and the human factor. This will be a much more specialized option and not available everywhere.</p>
<p>Had to look this up after my last post as I couldn’t remember it at the time. You might want to check out Miami University in Ohio and their Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies. They offer a variety of major and minor options, including the option to combine with a CS major, art major, etc. It appears that they may get into user interfaces/usability as well. </p>
<p>Here is a link: <a href=“http://aims.muohio.edu/”>Department of Emerging Technology in Business and Design | Miami University;
<p>I don’t have any personal experience with Miami. I was checking it out online last year when my son was expressing some interest in CS and gaming. But this is one option that might give you something like a middle ground. There may be other universities that have something like this too, but you would need to search for that. </p>