Is Computer Science the Right Path for Me?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's uncertainty regarding their suitability for a career in computer science or engineering, exploring interests in various fields such as aerospace engineering, economics, and programming. The conversation touches on personal experiences with physics, programming, and the desire for a practical application of skills.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses doubt about being the "engineering type," citing a lack of interest in mechanical exploration but a fascination with aerospace-related themes from media.
  • Another participant suggests that disliking labs in physics may indicate a lack of interest in engineering, proposing programming as a potentially interesting alternative.
  • A participant shares a challenging experience with a single programming class, indicating it was difficult and not particularly engaging.
  • One reply emphasizes that a deeper exploration of computer science might be beneficial, highlighting its theoretical aspects and connections to mathematics, and suggests considering a class in algorithms.
  • There is a reiteration of the suggestion to explore computer science, emphasizing the theoretical nature and potential career paths in the field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the suitability of engineering versus computer science for the original poster, with some suggesting programming as a viable path while others question the participant's interests and experiences. No consensus is reached on the best direction for the participant.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying levels of interest and experience in programming and engineering, with some participants expressing strong preferences and others remaining uncertain. The participant's previous experiences in physics and programming are noted as influencing their considerations.

proton
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I don't know if I'm the "engineering type." I enjoyed building Legos from childhood, but I've never really shown any interest in exploring how mechanical things work or building things; I've never been one to take the radio apart, for instance, to see how it works, or taken interest in designing circuits. However, designing missiles, satellites, military weapons, robots has interested me from movies and video games, so I might be suited for aerospace engineering. However, I've enjoted almost all of the math and physics courses (including upperdiv pure math and physics) I've taken. But I'm pretty sure that I rather go into industry than academia because I didnt really enjoy my REU in experimental physics that much and I'm definitely concerned about the job situation. So, maybe I'm more suited for something that applicable but engineering, like economics or finance? This is what I'm trying to figure out.

also, the part of my physics classes that i disliked the most were labs
 
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I enjoy the layman's reading on physics such as books by Kaku, Hawking and Davies but I hate with a passion the actual physics. You can't really be sure based on what you have written. I can tell you wouldn't like engineering if you don't like labs though. Perhaps something like programming would be interesting to you.
 
I only took one programming class, c++, and it was one of the most difficult classes I've ever taken. it wasnt the most interesting either
 
Well if you only took one class in programming I doubt you took a computer science class. Just getting started takes some effort because you must learn the language before you can express your ideas. Have you looked into computer science? It shares a lot with math and is quite theoretical. Many people with advanced CS degrees might work for a company like Adobe or Microsoft and come up with new compression algorithms or ways to efficiently store and compute information.

Perhaps you could take a class in algorithms. At least at the graduate level where I go such classes are taught using pencil and paper and involve a lot of graph theory, combinatorics, logic and number theory.
 
jhicks said:
Well if you only took one class in programming I doubt you took a computer science class. Just getting started takes some effort because you must learn the language before you can express your ideas. Have you looked into computer science? It shares a lot with math and is quite theoretical. Many people with advanced CS degrees might work for a company like Adobe or Microsoft and come up with new compression algorithms or ways to efficiently store and compute information.

Perhaps you could take a class in algorithms. At least at the graduate level where I go such classes are taught using pencil and paper and involve a lot of graph theory, combinatorics, logic and number theory.

ok i may consider that. any other suggestions
 

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