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    • CommentAuthorSunRise
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    I just turned 17 and so I am starting to think about what I want to do with my life, starting with what I am going to do for college. For the last few years I had been planning on doing something in the medical field. But I am also very interested in programming (mostly PHP and Java right now), and pretty good at it. My question is what can I do with a Computer Science degree? What do you guys do?

    FYI: I am first in my class of 750. bakie

    ---all advice appreciated
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      CommentAuthormdizzle
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    Hey Sunrise,
    I am currently a Computer Science major, and I love it! The best advice I can give, and what most people will tell you, is to simple follow your heart. As corny as it sounds, you are most likely to be successful doing something you love! I started off as a physics major because I thought I would make the most money, and I hated it. Now I'm in the computer science program. Also, even though you feel really pressured right now, don't. This isn't the biggest decision of your life, worst comes to worse you can always transfer to a different college. Sometimes that leaves you in a sticky situation with credits (I am now, for the second year in a row, a sophomore. Half of my credits didn't tranfer), but usually you'll be ok.


    I just went through a really hellish college experience, so if you want some more advice from someone in the middle of it feel free to email me.

    Also, odds are you'll be using a different language than PHP. I just got a semester of python under my belt, and it's pretty sweet.
    • CommentAuthorSunRise
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    thanks for the insider advice!bakie

    Posted By: mdizzleAlso, odds are you'll be using a different language than PHP. I just got a semester of python under my belt, and it's pretty sweet.


    PHP is just what I use to make simple back end website scripts (e-mail etc.), and Java is the language that I am learning at school taking AP Computer Science II.
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      CommentAuthoryugnats
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    Posted By: mdizzleyou are most likely to be successful doing something you love

    advice to live by!

    when i was your age in the late 80's i went for a career that made me the most money and i dedicated 13 years of my life to it...but in the end the money wasn't enough and now i make way less than when i was younger but we are much happier :)

    java is a great language to know as well since its so flexible and still seems to be running strong (around here it is anyways, especially in government, etc)

    good luck my son!!
    • CommentAuthorSunRise
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    thanks yugnats, your advice means a lot to me.
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      CommentAuthorsnop
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    The best advice I can give is don't be afraid to mess up. If you go to school for something and discover you don't like it - switch. I spent $15,000 on a microbiology degree I never finished because midway through I realized I loved coding/designing.

    Your future will probably not be a straight line so if you've found something "unplanned" you really enjoy, go for it.

    Also, speaking as a full-time Java coder, it's a nice language to work with. The strict standards means that you don't often run into the nightmare code messes of other languages.
    • CommentAuthorMike Weiss
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    If you can go to your local community college. I just got my Associates in Web Information Technology in the mail three days ago, and it cost me a lot less than any of my friends spent for their first 2 years. I'm now enrolled in a transfer program that puts me at 2 more years worth of work for a BS in Business Managment and Social Sciences. I'll have spent less than half of what my brother spent at the University.
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      CommentAuthorLobsterMan
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    I'm going through the same stuff now. Although I like programming, i went for business management because it can take you further. BUt anyways life got too busy so I had to put it on hold... I'm not 17 anymore, so another year won't make a difference.

    Good luck to you. And really, only do something that you will be happy doing, I can't even begin describing what it's like to work in a job that you hate...

    bakie
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      CommentAuthorperthmetro
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    You're young enough to take risks doing things you love... embrace this opportunity.. there's plenty of time to learn from your mistakes and change direction if you want.

    Pete
    • CommentAuthorodt
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    Posted By: SunRiseWhat do you guys do?

    I have no qualifications in IT and never went to university but I am now working in a Web Design role that is extremely well paid for someone my age and I don't have any University debt. So whether or not you actually need a degree in Computer Science is questionnable.

    Most would say a degree is the way forward, but I totally disagree. If it's PHP you want to do then really all you need to do is take on some PHP freelance work and throw yourself in the deep end... The hands on experience is what will be your greatest lesson IMO.

    Yes a degree can help (sometimes) but it's definitely not a requirement.

    It's a tough one, and a risk... but as perth has said, you're young enough to take risks
    wink
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      CommentAuthoryugnats
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    Posted By: odtYes a degree can help (sometimes) but it's definitely not a requirement.

    agreed and it doesn't just stop at web design / programming. i have a friend who is one of the best (and most successful) auto techs i've ever met and he hasn't been to school once after high school!
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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    Posted By: mdizzleThe best advice I can give, and what most people will tell you, is to simple follow your heart. As corny as it sounds, you are most likely to be successful doing something you love!


    I belong to a generation when we were discouraged to do that, and were instead told to get a good degree and a solid boring job. Well, I am so happy I did the exact opposite! I can't put into words how great it is to do for a living what you love to do. Ten years down the line, I can solidly second Mdizzle's advice.
    • CommentAuthorSunRise
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     
    Thanks for all the advice...each comment helps!
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      CommentAuthorarwen54
    • CommentTimeJan 16th 2008
     
    Posted By: odt
    Posted By: SunRise What do you guys do?

    I have no qualifications in IT and never went to university but I am now working in a Web Design role that is extremely well paid for someone my age and I don't have any University debt. So whether or not you actually need a degree in Computer Science is questionnable.

    Most would say a degree is the way forward, but I totally disagree. If it's PHP you want to do then really all you need to do is take on some PHP freelance work and throw yourself in the deep end... The hands on experience is what will be your greatest lesson IMO.

    Yes a degree can help (sometimes) but it's definitely not a requirement.

    It's a tough one, and a risk... but as perth has said, you're young enough to take risks
    wink



    I don't have a degree either!
    I'm a self-taught XHTML, CSS, (and some PHP) coder and I have been earning a decent part-time income freelancing for over 10 years now since I quit my government cushy job that I absolutely detested.

    Don't be afraid to take risks or to fail. There is no failure. Only lessons along your journey of life. Follow your dream, follow your passion. Good luck!

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