<p>Hi.. I'm not sure if I will need to take foreign language at all, but If I do minor in one, which one is is best for computer science? I was thinking russian maybe because the script looks like a computer language (joke)</p>
<p>The dominant language of Computer Science is English. Back in the day, before (or at the <em>very</em> beginning of) the internet, Russian would most definitely been helpful since there wasn’t a lot of cross-polination between western journals and their Soviet era counterparts. </p>
<p>Today, few undergraduate engineering programs require a language simply because the required curriculum is so extensive. A quick search of a few schools suggests language requirements are rare to non-existant in graduate programs as well.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in learning a language, you can almost certainly work one in using electives - but be aware that foreign languages can be giant time sinks, so be a little careful before jumping in.</p>
<p>If you want to work in the tech industry, Japanese isn’t a bad choice. And Mandarin is always good for business. But really, pick whatever you like, it won’t make a huge difference.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure getting Rosetta Stone and studying on my own is better. I’m not sure if I’m good at foreign langage, but I do have a great memory.</p>
<p>Rosetta Stone is terrible and overpriced. Use something else.</p>
<p>The courses designed by the FSI (Foreign Language Institute of the US State Department) to teach languages to diplomats are EXCELLENT. Hard, but excellent–targeted just at what you need to know. Barron’s publishes the early parts of these courses–I got mine at the local Barnes and Noble. The later parts, for which there is not so much of a market, are available from Audio Forum, a specialty company.</p>
<p>After working through most of the first half of the Spanish course, which involves two volumes of tapes, I got an almost perfect score on the undergraduate language placement exam at UVA and was cleared to take upper-level undergraduate classes in the Spanish Department. More importantly, I had no trouble managing routine interactions in Mexico or Spain. I wasn’t fluent enough to understand rapid, colloquial conversation or anything very difficult/complicated, but I was able to get to an intermediate level working on my own with these tapes. </p>
<p>The Spanish course, at least, was designed in the 1950s or early 1960s and the conversations sometimes seem hilariously dated and/or sexist, but the grammar rules haven’t changed.</p>
<p>well, since foreign language is out, what else compliments computer science? I was planning to take a GIS certificate too.</p>
<p>That depends on your interests. </p>
<p>At this point, DO NOT OVER PLAN! - get into school, start your major, take a couple electives, and see where it takes you. Participate in your department’s colloquia, visit your professors during office hours, ask questions about career paths (but be aware that academics often don’t know what’s really happening in the “real world”). If possible shoot for a couple internships (so you’ll know what the real world is like). </p>
<p>Life doesn’t begin and end with your undergrad major - I dropped out of Ohio State back in 1975, 3 years into a CIS major (and yes, I know I pretty much nailed the sweet spot for getting into the field). Got married, got a job, and for 27 years regretted not standing up to my dad and switching to what I loved. Finally graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008 from Penn in… Classics. I still make my living programming, but I’m way happier knowing I would have been successful in my first love as well.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Well, I’ve already completed 78 credits… so, most of my general education. I’m kind of limited in what I can do… because my legs don’t work well… and I don’t drive. I’ve posted like 15 times here about GIS… someone said that it can be done from home. also, I’m moderatly good on computers and technical stuff (I was in military intelligence)</p>
<p>Ah… just looked at some of your older posts.</p>
<p>First, thank you for your service. My son just started Navy nuke school in Goose Creek so our family is just starting on the service “adventure”.</p>
<p>I honestly have no idea about GIS except as a tool in archaeology (I’m a software engineer by trade but a Classicist by education). I would think that any kind of business or finance degree combined with some GIS training would be a useful credential almost anywhere. </p>
<p>Your best bet is going to be to talk with your academic advisors. If you’re not currently enrolled in a regular university start making calls when school starts again in January. While there are a lot of opportunities open to former service members but they are not all created equal. In particular, many of the schools that advertise heavily to service members are considerably less than they make themselves appear. Look into your state’s “flagship” public university first - chances are they’ll have the most possibilities for you.</p>
<p>Finally… To the extent it’s possible, don’t get too wrapped up in your disability (yeah, I know…). Any brick and mortar university in the USA, and certainly any corporation of any size will accommodate you no questions asked - they’re interested in your brain, not your athletic prowess.</p>
<p>Mandarin Chinese. The only way to go. Begin as soon as possible. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Jingle is right - the FSI courses are awesome. I’ve been using the Swedish PDFs and audio posted on the website, and I can get by in basic conversation, counting, asking for directions, ordering things, etc.
[FSI</a> Language Courses - Home](<a href=“http://fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php]FSI”>FSI Language Courses - Free Online Language Courses) They’re free.</p>
<p>FSI is really tedious though. You’re a tank if you can make it through the whole thing. I’d recommend Assimil.</p>