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How do I know if computer science is the right college major for me?

I'm a 14 year old rising high school senior, and I've been learning how to code in my free time for the
past year or so. I've decided that I want to study computer science in college, but I'm still not entirely
sure about my decision.

college college-major technology computer-science
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Robert’s Answer

Hi Raymond,

Your question caught my eye because I was one of those people who realized that Computer Science wasn't for them. I was about midway through my degree, and I was struggling with some of the math and higher-level concepts being taught in our required classes. Despite enjoying the coding aspect, I ultimately decided to change majors to Information Technology, and I was much happier for it. Many people question their choice of career path, and sometimes they do determine it's not for them.

My actionable advice is this - You already have a great advantage exploring coding years before needing to make a real decision on a major and/or career. Check out the CS programs at your universities of choice and see if they align with your interests and what you want to pursue. If you have a good feeling about it, register for it! The first few semesters of CS classes should paint a good picture for the rest of the major. As others have said, the skills are very transferrable, and oftentimes the classes themselves are applicable to other majors as well, such as Information Technology, Business Intelligence, and Electronics Engineering. It's very unlikely that you'll be locked into any one decision.

Overall, it's all about exploring what environment makes you the happiest, and you won't fully know until you try.
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Ali’s Answer

If you are already coding at this stage and having fun coding, then I wouldn't think about "is this the right decision for me or not". The reason why I say this is because, you are very young, sometimes in life you make certain decisions to learn whether it was the right decision or not and even if it wasn't the right decision I bet you, that you will learn something valuable either-way from the decision you take.

So my advice would be, continue exploring, if you are having fun doing something and are good at that thing, do more of it and become even better at it.. ultimately you will be hired for what you are really good at when the time comes for a job..

Also there a TON of free resources, courses, even projects online related to coding/compSci that you could do as a test run to see whether you like coding and the related jobs it can get you later down the road.. in fact you could even do popular coding/tech certifications that will truly make you stand out if you get them so early on... check out Google GCP Certification, AWS Solution Architect Certification and theres a lot of free resources out there that can prepare you for these certifications. Also you could build demo accounts to play around and learn with..

Finally - even if you did computer science and later didn't like coding.. that is still totally fine and you would still have immense amount of transferable skills. I did CompSci at uni and later did not enjoy coding but still worked for Tech firms and did consulting and ended up travelling around the world and made a great career out of it...

Good luck and I wish the very best for you!
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Kim’s Answer

It's awesome that you're thinking about studying computer science in college. You've been coding in your free time for a year, which shows your dedication. Choosing a college major can be tough, but here are a few things to consider. First, ask yourself if you genuinely enjoy coding and working with technology. If you're excited to learn more about computer science concepts, that's a good sign. Second, think about your problem-solving skills. Computer science involves a lot of logical thinking and finding creative solutions. If you enjoy tackling complex challenges, it's a positive indicator. Third, research the job opportunities in computer science and see if they excite you. Finally, check out the computer science courses and programs offered by different colleges. Good luck with your decision.
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Violaine’s Answer

Hi Raymond, It's fantastic that you've been exploring coding in your free time and have developed an interest in computer science! Here are some factors to consider to help you determine if computer science is the right college major for you:

1. **Passion for Problem-Solving**: Do you enjoy solving puzzles and challenges? Computer science involves a lot of problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking skills. If you find satisfaction in overcoming coding obstacles and debugging errors, it could be a good fit for you.

2. **Interest in Technology**: Are you fascinated by computers, software, and technology in general? Computer science majors delve deep into understanding how computers work, from hardware to software, algorithms, and programming languages.

3. **Creativity**: Despite its logical nature, computer science also offers room for creativity. You can create innovative software solutions, design user interfaces, or develop new algorithms. If you enjoy thinking outside the box and bringing your ideas to life through coding, computer science could be a great fit.

4. **Persistence and Resilience**: Learning to code can be challenging, and computer science courses can be rigorous. Do you have the patience and perseverance to tackle complex problems and keep pushing forward, even when you encounter setbacks or errors?

5. **Curiosity and Continuous Learning**: Technology is constantly evolving, and the field of computer science is no exception. Are you excited about the prospect of lifelong learning, staying updated on new programming languages, frameworks, and advancements in technology?

6. **Career Opportunities**: Consider researching the career paths and opportunities available to computer science graduates. From software development to cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and more, computer science opens doors to a wide range of lucrative and fulfilling career paths.

7. **Explore Further**: Before committing to a major, consider taking additional coding courses or participating in coding competitions, hackathons, or internships to gain more hands-on experience and exposure to different aspects of computer science.

Ultimately, choosing a college major is a significant decision, and it's okay to have some uncertainty at your age. Keep exploring your interests, talking to professionals in the field, and seeking guidance from mentors or teachers who can help you make an informed decision. Remember that your interests and goals may evolve over time, so stay open to new opportunities and experiences along the way.
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David’s Answer

Determining if computer science is the right college major for you involves considering your interests, skills, and career goals. Firstly, assess your passion for technology and problem-solving. Do you enjoy working with computers, programming, and exploring how technology can solve real-world problems? If you find yourself naturally drawn to these areas and feel excited about the prospect of diving deeper into them, computer science may be a good fit for you.

Additionally, consider your aptitude for logical thinking and analytical reasoning. Computer science requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically about complex problems. If you enjoy tackling puzzles, breaking down problems into manageable steps, and finding innovative solutions, you'll likely thrive in a computer science program. Furthermore, explore the various career paths within the field of computer science, such as software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence, to ensure that they align with your long-term career aspirations. Ultimately, if you have a genuine interest in technology, a knack for problem-solving, and a desire to make an impact through innovation, pursuing a degree in computer science could be the right choice for you.
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Anju’s Answer

Hi Raymond,

I think Ali's answer encompasses perfectly what I would have said. Computer science is such a challenging degree and has so many transferrable skills that you could do anything after graduating. I studied computer science in college but did not really like coding later on. Regardless, I believe the degree teaches you to problem solve and think outside the box and develop an array of skills that are relevant outside of coding. I ended up joining tech consulting and I love my current role.

I don't think anyone would look at a computer science degree and think you are incapable of a role, unless the role required a super niche skillset. Especially since you already enjoy coding I think it would be a great major to pursue. If you end up not liking it, that's okay! There are still many career paths you can choose while having the degree.
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Ray’s Answer

Hi Raymond, greetings from another Raymond! If that's what you enjoy and decide to study, then move forward with that plan. There is no such thing as a perfect choice and understand that you aren't locked into that path for life. I got my degrees in biology but 5 years after graduation was given an opportunity to start in technology. Now I'm an Enterprise Architect in the IT field. The secret was not to let my future be dictated by what I had initially chosen as a degree path. You can end up using your skills in unexpected career pathways so just keep your mind open. Maybe you'll get a computer science degree and code AI systems, or become a computational biologist, or discover you like to write and become a tech journalist or maybe down the road do a complete 180 and discover that you are really a painter at heart! You just never know the odd turns that life can take so don't panic about making the 'right' decision this early in your life.

The biggest benefit of any degree is learning to think. Learning how to learn effectively, problem solving, research, writing, thinking critically and learning to see different points of view are the most valuable parts of getting a degree. Even though I work in IT, my biology degrees gave me the foundational skills to do my current job and my degrees were in a totally different area!
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Carla’s Answer

Hi Raymond,

I love that you have been coding in your free time and exploring what is out there in the field of computer science! I also agree with all of the answers you received already but just wanted to add - if it is something you are passionate about and it is exciting to you, then go for it! There are so many different areas of computer science. The possibilities are endless! I saw some of them already outlined in the answers; you can also look at the technical project management aspects of comp sci as another possibility.

The key is to take those free courses but also research what types of careers are out there in the field of comp sci and see if any of them would be of interest to you. Another idea is to continue your exploration through your senior year, perhaps find a summer internship and go into college without a major (since your first year typically is loaded with general requirements as opposed to courses pertaining to your major). This would give you some additional time to find out which area of comp sci might be for you (Cybersecurity, AI, Web/Software Dev, App Dev, Hardware Mgmt, etc.). I wish you lots of good luck in your research and your future! Keep coding!
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