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Is computer science worth it?

Im not that interested in computer science but i know its a growing domain and that i could make a lot of money in it, is it worth it? I think im going to go into cybersecurity exactly but im unsure if the money is worth my time behind a screen and a desk.

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E’s Answer

Hi Istabrak,

Computer science and cybersecurity has the potential to be an extremely lucrative field, but beyond that I would like you to ask yourself: what do you value, and what are you looking for in a career?

Do you value money, and how much do you value money as opposed to the other things (balance, happiness, spending less time behind a screen, etc.)? How much do you love engineering, software, and cybersecurity? Are you talented in those areas (math, engineering, logic)? As many have suggested, you can start with taking various free online courses through MIT, etc. to see if it is something you enjoy.

Keep in mind, it has the potential to be an extremely difficult career. The problems you will face will be challenging, the courses you have to take may be difficult. But, they also don't have to be. If you enjoy solving those hard problems, enjoy taking on challenges, and are looking to grow and learn, it isn't difficult.

But also, keep in mind that almost every company in the world is reliant upon an IT stack, and the world is becoming more and more intertwined with technology. Learning to program does not mean you have to work in cybersecurity or in Big Tech. You can use those same skills and apply for a company or work in a field that is meaningful to you. And by doing so, you could be working on something you love.

I hope this helps!
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Godfred’s Answer

Hi Istabrak, so this is actually a really important decision you're making. Here's my take: money is great, but it's not everything. If you spend the next 40 years doing something you don't care about just because it pays well, you're going to wake up one day and wonder where your life went. Computer science can be amazing if you enjoy problem-solving and technology, but if you're already dreading the idea of being behind a screen all day, that's a pretty big red flag.

CS is way broader than most people think, and you don't even need a CS degree to break into it. I actually have a friend who's majoring in nursing, and she landed a software engineering internship at Meta in 2024. Wild, right? The tech industry cares more about what you can do than what your diploma says. So if you end up choosing a different path that genuinely excites you, you can still pick up coding or cybersecurity skills on the side. Take online courses, build projects, and join coding bootcamps. The door stays open.

That said, whatever you choose, make sure you stay somewhat tech-savvy. Technology is reshaping every single industry, from healthcare to agriculture to art. Even if you become a teacher or a business owner or whatever else, understanding technology will keep you relevant and competitive. You don't have to be a programmer, but being comfortable with tech tools and understanding how digital systems work will help you no matter where you end up. So explore what actually interests you, but keep one foot in the tech world. You'll thank yourself later.
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Wong’s Answer

Hi Istabrak. Computer science is definitely one of the fastest growing fields today, and it offers many opportunities for stable, high-paying jobs. But deciding whether it's worth it really depends on what you value most in your career and lifestyle.

Computer science teaches you how technology works and how to solve problems using computers. It's a skill that can open doors in almost every industry. The demand for people who understand computers is rising every year, and many companies are willing to pay well for those skills.

However, money alone may not make you happy in the long run. If you don't enjoy spending long hours in front of a screen, coding, or analyzing data, you might feel unmotivated, even if the pay is good. It's important to find a balance between doing something that pays well and something that you actually enjoy. The good news is that computer science is a broad field, and not every role involves only programming. For example, in cybersecurity, you might focus on protecting systems, investigating security threats, etc.

If you're unsure, you could start by exploring cybersecurity through short courses or internships. See if you like the type of work before fully committing. Hope this helps. All the best.
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Jeff’s Answer

Hi Istabrak,

I think you answered your own question here. Computer science is an amazing, challenging career. Cyber security is a fascinating, very secure, very lucrative piece of that. However, most careers in computer science are very intense, with extremely long hours and lots of challenges. You have to love it or you will not be happy. And to spend 10,12,16 hours of your day in a career that you aren't passionate about is not a good thing. Don't go into a career for the paycheck. Go into it because it's something you love to do!

What is your passion? What do you love? What makes you happy? Those are the important questions! Someone said that if you live what you do, you'll never work a day in your life and it is absolutely true!

Best of luck in whatever you do! Make sure it makes you happy!
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Magan’s Answer

It’s totally valid to feel torn about choosing a field like computer science just because it’s lucrative. If you're not genuinely interested in it, the money alone might not be enough to keep you motivated long-term. Cybersecurity is a strong niche within CS—it's growing fast, has real-world impact, and can be quite rewarding intellectually. But it is a lot of time behind a screen, and if that doesn’t appeal to you, it’s worth considering whether the lifestyle fits your goals.
Ask yourself:

Do you enjoy problem-solving and learning about how systems work?
Can you see yourself staying engaged even when the work gets repetitive or technical?
Are there aspects of cybersecurity (like ethical hacking, digital forensics, or policy) that spark your curiosity?

If the answer is yes to some of those, it might be worth exploring further. If not, there are other growing fields that offer good pay and align better with different interests—like biotech, environmental engineering, or even chemistry if you're into science but want more lab or field work.
Ultimately, your time and energy are valuable. Choose a path that feels meaningful and sustainable for you.
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Anitha’s Answer

Choosing a specialty in Computer Science can feel overwhelming. It’s a vast field , with many areas to specialize in from Software Development, Data Analysis, System Administration to Cyber Security and Identity. The tech industry is dynamic and offers secure, well-paying jobs. However, the most important investment you can make is finding a corner of it that you'll be happy and motivated to work in for years to come.

You could research the fields that interests you, or join a networking groups of professionals that are willing to share their experiences in their field. If you're looking for a starting point, I'd suggest looking into two of the fastest-moving domains right now. Cyber Security is a constantly evolving field with a high demand for talent. In parallel, Artificial Intelligence is arguably the most dynamic and transformative space in tech today, with no shortage of exciting challenges to solve.

Good luck!
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Don’s Answer

Hello Istabrak,

I know that it might seem difficult in deciding whether you want to do cybersecurity or computer science . There are many different types of jobs that you could pursue and ultimately it is up to you in deciding what interests you the most. I will create a list of different types of jobs in both of these fields for you to look over and think about. Hope you are able to find something that interests you and fits into your life. Best of luck to you!

Cybersecurity
-Chief Information Security Officer
-Cloud Security Engineer
-Application Security Engineer
-Security Architect
Computer Science
-Software Developer
-Database Administrator
-Software Engineer
-Web Developer
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Jeff’s Answer

Hi Istabrak,

I've been working in the tech industry for over 20 years. I'm always struck by how quickly technology in the market place changes. Business profits and loses go up and down. The people who are able to adapt the best are those that have a deeper background in their field. Security is anchored in computer technology so it is worth while to deepen your knowledge as much you can. You'll have ideas when others are stuck in "business as usual." This will help ensure you remain employed when others are being let go. I'd encourage you to play the long game and deepen your knowledge as much as you are able.
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Margaret’s Answer

Hello, it's a question only you can answer. You can have a career in cybersecurity if a lucrative career is what you value. Go find online courses for free through MIT or Github and practice some problems to learn programming to test if it's an avenue you want to pursue. There are also online workshops for high school students on YouTube, just make sure they are from a reputable source before starting. If you want to play with Python Rosalind (Bioinformatics version) is a good online free training course and a great place to start.
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Rob’s Answer

If you're not really interested in computer science, it might not be worth pursuing. When I advise people about IT and cyber careers, I suggest they explore different roles on YouTube and other platforms. If you find an area that intrigues you, then it's a good idea to learn more about it.

If you're concerned about income, remember that if you follow your passion, the money usually follows. Many specialized roles in IT and cyber are in high demand and often offer good salaries.
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satyanarayana’s Answer

If you have a passion for something different and your family is financially secure, it's perfectly fine to choose a career that matches your true interests. Passion and purpose are more important than just earning money.

If you're thinking about software engineering or cybersecurity, here's something to consider:

Software engineering is an exciting field if you're genuinely interested. It's more than just sitting at a desk. It's about solving problems, building systems, protecting data, and creating tools that shape the future. When you enjoy what you do, it never feels dull.

Cybersecurity is dynamic and important. You're defending systems, analyzing threats, and staying ahead of attackers. This field requires curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

Computer science offers many opportunities, like AI, data science, robotics, and gaming. If you explore it with interest, it can be very rewarding.

Final thought: Choose a career that excites you. If technology interests you, give it a try. If not, follow your passion. Success comes when you love what you do.
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Murali’s Answer

Computer science is generally considered a highly valuable and worthwhile field to pursue, offering strong career prospects, competitive salaries, and diverse opportunities for innovation.
Key Benefits of a Computer Science Career:
Excellent Job Market and Career Flexibility
High Earning Potential
Development of Valuable Skills
Career Satisfaction and Flexibility
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Shreeya’s Answer

Hey there! I love that you’re already thinking deeply about what’s worth your time, not just what’s popular or makes money. That kind of self-awareness is a big strength!
Computer science can open a lot of doors like cybersecurity, app development, AI, data, and more but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. The best careers usually combine something you’re curious about, something you’re good at, and something that supports the lifestyle you want.
If you’re drawn to cybersecurity, you might actually enjoy it more than you think. It’s not just sitting behind a screen, it’s about solving mysteries, protecting people, and staying one step ahead of threats. Some people even compare it to digital detective work! You could try a free intro course or a beginner cybersecurity challenge to see if the work feels exciting to you. That’s the best way to know if it’s “worth it” for you.
Even if you decide later that tech isn’t your long-term path, the problem-solving skills you’ll build in CS or cybersecurity can help in almost any career. You’ve got time to explore and the fact that you’re thinking about this now already puts you ahead of most people!
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Steve’s Answer

Computer science is a fascinating field and will require ALOT of research in the future. But it will change. AI is changing the shape of data centres, data, algorithms, customer interaction, product development and all of that will be underpinned by the science of computing. Take for instance data centres. There is so much research going on now on high bandwidth memory, better clustering algorithms, cooling systems, energy - all will be underpinned by software! The world will need alot of people in this field - added by AI - to discover new frontiers.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. The most important is to find a career you have interest. You can perform well and have decent compensation if you have interest on the job.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Apart from Cybersecurity, there are many Computer Science related jobs, e.g. Web developer, Apps Developer, Network Engineer, System Administrator, Application Support, Database Administrator, etc. You can find out more computer science related careers online.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Attend information session hosts by Computer Science department of colleges. Speak to the professors and alumni if you can.
4. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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