Strength of a double major in Economics and Computer Science

College Majors
1

<p>My economics degree is a business degree, not an art or science one, but I have taken cal 1-3, linear algebra, and diff eqs. which seems to be the major difference between the two. My upper level electives in economics have all been in the microeconomics (more business). Computer Science has less options (can you get anything other than a BS in comp sci?), and my upper level classes have been related to IT. </p>

<p>I go to a "public ivy". The rankings in each major isn't particularly high, but it's in the top 100 for both. My GPA is mediocre (3.4) as well. </p>

<p>I haven't been overtly involved in activities related to either of my majors in college (I'm going to graduate in December, a semester early!). I've been involved in my social sorority, the university union, and a few major volunteer organizations. Almost all my activities would fall under soft skills like "event planning", "public speaking" , "social media", etc. </p>

<p>My dad managed to secure me an internship at his workplace (a really big named company) for this summer in their IT department, so I will have something related to by studies. </p>

<p>In general, I don't feel like I'm in the right majors. I felt pressured to choose something that sounded impressive by my parents (they pay for college, they make the decisions, no?). I'm a liberal arts sort of person. I can talk for hours on end about international affairs, history, politics, or even literature (not to brag, but I've read every single book on time's 100 best novels). I spend my free time reading into these things rather than read "The Economist" or whatever CNET or msdn magazine has released. I would have loved to have majored in any of those subjects, but I'm fairly sure my mom would have pulled me out of college. </p>

<p>More so in computer science than economics,I feel out of place. I'm the girl who wears dresses and puts on make up to go to class, while everyone else looks like they just got up (and haven't washed their hair in a week). Setting aside the fact that 70% of the major is guys, I really don't feel like I fit in with the other girls. I don't play video games. I don't speak "nerd", I don't have the same interests, etc. I don't have a single friend in the computer science department- that's how bad it is. </p>

<p>I guess this has become more of a personal issue than the topic suggested. Any suggestions are appreciated. I'm also sorry this is long. </p>

2

<p>Hi stellastar. Your post has more of the flavor of a vent than anything else and that’s ok. At this point, you are graduating in December, so my advice to you is to finish what you started.</p>

<p>The beautiful thing about what you like is that no matter what job you have (and if you are like most of us, you will need a job), you always have a hobby. You obviously didn’t need to major in English to read the Time best novel list. You didn’t need to major in political science or history to pursue an your interests in those disciplines.</p>

<p>I do empathize with you about wishing you did what you want and not to please. I remember getting pushed in a direction. But as I said earlier, finish what you started. I do think that econ and IT can open up many opportunities for you. </p>

3

<p>Why are you even asking this question? What does it have to do with you. Who cares if you wear makeup or not? Are you taking CS courses for some reason or just thinking about it? Why?</p>

4

<p>1) because i’m wondering if the choices I made are going to pay off.
2) Both are my majors, so it has a lot to do with me
3) It’s not just the make up- it’s a life view, a way of thinking. I’m incapable of actually relating to other people in my major. It’s not a terribly good sign. People like these people are going to become my co workers. Here, in a low pressure environment, I’m incapable of relating to any of them. How is the workforce going to be?
4) I’ve stated maybe now 4 times that I’m a dual computer science and economics major whose going to graduate in December. Unless there’s some way to major in a subject and not take courses in said subject, obviously I’ve taken quite a few CS classes.
5) Why? Because it’s my major. The school requires it. Why did I chose it? Because to my mother, it was good enough major to keep me in college. </p>

5

<p>Your econ degree will be useless if you choose to go to the CS path and your CS degree will be useless if you choose to go to the econ/business/finance path. You will meet different kinds of people during your lifetime. Even if you don’t fit in with the “nerds” make an effort to bond with them. The level of success that you will achieve will depend on how well you form connections with different types of people.</p>

6

<p>Bouncer as someone who has a business degree, I totally disagree with your characterization about uselessness of the alternate discipline. My training is in accounting, but I now work in the IT department. So CS training is most definitely useful. On the flip side, our CS people would benefit from training in other disciplines.</p>

<p>Stella, your choices can pay off. It depends on what you do after you graduate. Chances are where you start your career is not where you will finish. No matter what econ and CS are useful. Don’t worry about not fitting in with your current classmates. I work with all kinds of people. There is no one type.</p>

<p>As for your mother, it is what it is. As long as she was worried about what it could do for you and not what it could do for her, you will be fine. Finish strong.</p>