Majoring in CS solely to get a job

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the considerations of majoring in computer science (CS) primarily for job prospects, particularly from the perspective of a mathematics student. Participants explore the implications of choosing a major based on employment opportunities versus personal interest in the subject matter.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about job prospects with a mathematics degree and contemplates switching to CS despite a lack of passion for computers.
  • Another participant shares their experience of pursuing electrical engineering for financial reasons but ultimately returned to science due to a lack of interest.
  • Some participants argue that without enjoyment in a field, one may struggle to excel and suggest exploring other subjects while continuing with mathematics.
  • There are suggestions that programming can be integrated with scientific applications, which may align better with the interests of those with a math background.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of finding a career that aligns with personal passion rather than solely focusing on job security.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that many people develop a passion for their work after starting, challenging the idea that one must have a pre-existing passion before choosing a career.
  • Concerns are raised about the reality of many careers involving significant computer use, regardless of the field, prompting a reevaluation of expectations.
  • Some participants argue against the notion that a physics or math degree guarantees unemployment, suggesting that with a plan, one can find suitable employment.
  • There is a discussion about the unpredictability of career paths and the need for flexibility in planning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with no clear consensus on whether pursuing a major solely for job prospects is advisable. Some emphasize the importance of passion, while others argue for practical considerations regarding employment.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexities of career planning, including the need to balance personal interests with job market realities. There are also discussions about the nature of work in various fields and the expectations associated with different degrees.

  • #31
johnqwertyful said:
I wasn't trying to answer your question, as I am not qualified. I was just calling Modus out on his blatant misinformation.

I wish I could answer your question more, I apologize.

No apology needed, this is an interesting discussion. If you read my post, I am all for physics and math major. I personally said in my former post that I would major in physics and minor in EE if I were to do it again. I think Physics and math is very universal, you have a lot of options and easy to switch around...You survive physics and math, everything else is quite easy!

The discussion is turning to be PURE physics vs mixed physics and other trade. I think people should look at it as mixed trade rather than pure math and physics.

I venture to guess the graphs you gave include people that successfully transition to other related fields and become successful. To me, a lot of them are physics as I gave example before. It's just physics in form of programming to analyze data, running the instruments of physics. Electronics that perform a task in physics etc. They are all closely related to Physics that you learn in the physics major. The lines drawn between physics/math and other trades are really not black and while, it's very blur. Hope that clarify it.
 
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  • #32
Definitely agreed with your post. Physics and math degrees serve as a way to get into other areas. It's not like you get a degree and people pay you to sit around solving math problems (unless you're in academia, but then you need grad school).

I am going into my 4th year as a math major/minor in physics. I like it because I can talk to most technical people. My dad is an electrical engineer, and we talk about engineering stuff (I've also taken some engineering) and of course I don't know everything, but I can usually break things down into what I do know.

Also, I wouldn't say EE has nothing to do with chemistry. The math, the knowledge of physics, the logic and problem solving particularly, knowing how to interact with other people, etc. Just being a scientist is important.

"You survive physics and math, everything else is quite easy!" So true hahaha
 
  • #33
Physics and particular math is the language of science, just like English for everything else. There are few jobs that are for pure English alone. But can you imagine if you can write good English, your job outlook is limitless. You can go for Law, teaching, business...

Same as physics and math, if you are good at these, you open the door to the world of opportunities, not in PURE physics or math, but easily adapted to closely related trades. I don't believe you have to give up anything. I sure feel physics and math are important enough that I have to come back and study them. The last few years, I study nothing but physics ( EM) and math. It is that important for electronics. Electronics is just a tool to realize a goal, in a lot of cases, it's the physics that set the goal and use electronics to achieve the goal. So you can be in the heart of it designing electronics, just depend on what jobs you have. You applied to SLAC, you are going to be eating and breathing physics even if you design the electronics.

I forgot, there is material science involves in semi conductors. All the new exotic materials coming out that increase the speed of electronics are all physics. I can't say too much on this as I am not in this field. But it got to be all physics.
 
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  • #34
johnqwertyful said:
In CS, you have a 2.9% higher chance of getting a job. And make $200 more a year. I'm failing to see why CS is such an amazing option compared to math. Yes it does have a lower unemployment rate. That's true. But really? You'd give up studying something you actually care about for $200 and a little bit easier time finding a job?

Dont you think that many of those math graduates are doing CS or IT? I do. And I think its the CS skills they acquire that makes them marketable.
 
  • #35
johnqwertyful said:
CS 4.2%
Math 7.1%

Yes, a 2.9% unemployment increase from CS to math. Cool.

In CS, you have a 2.9% higher chance of getting a job.

Hrm.. I don't think your interpretation of the statistics is right...

I think with a math degree, you're 7.1/4.2 = 1.69 times as likely to be unemployed. Or... there are 69% more unemployed people with math degrees than there are unemployed people with CS degrees.
 
  • #36
Pythagorean said:
Hrm.. I don't think your interpretation of the statistics is right...

I think with a math degree, you're 7.1/4.2 = 1.69 times as likely to be unemployed. Or... there are 69% more unemployed people with math degrees than there are unemployed people with CS degrees.

Uhh it would be 95.8/92.9=1.03 times as likely to be employed.

So 7/100 with a math degree have a job. 4/100 people with a CS degree have a job. Yes, you are "1.69 times as likely to be unemployed", but that's nothing when you look at the numbers.
 
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  • #37
ModusPwnd said:
Dont you think that many of those math graduates are doing CS or IT? I do. And I think its the CS skills they acquire that makes them marketable.

Citation needed.
 
  • #38
johnqwertyful said:
Uhh it would be 95.8/92.9=1.03 times as likely to be employed.

So 7/100 with a math degree have a job. 4/100 people with a CS degree have a job. Yes, you are "1.69 times as likely to be unemployed", but that's nothing when you look at the numbers.

You can't say 1.03 time more likely to be employed. It's a mixed population, you don't know how to separate it. You don't just do 100-x, you have to know how the total population was divided.

Anyway, when citing one study, grains of salt, please.

This is one source's employment stats for UK:

Computer Science 52%.
Mathematics 34%.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/employment-prospects-ranked-by-degree-813783.html

There's statistics that show Math degrees have a better employment rate too:

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/jul/15/employment-statistics-university-graduates

It's also conflated by the fact that in Canada, for instance, CS is part of the Mathematics faculty.
 
  • #39
Ha ha! Anyone published anything before must know there are so many ways to nudge the data one way or the other to suit what you want to support. Science is not exactly science. As people get into advanced science, it is no longer black and white, just different shades of grey...say politics.

Only true statistic is when you sent out a resume and see whether you get any response!
 
  • #41
set said:
Hello,

I am a second-year student studying mathematics at university. But give the pure nature of the subject, I have always worried about being unemployed after I graduate. So I thought of majoring in computer science because there are so many jobs in industry.

However, I never liked computers. I actually had nightmares. I can't imagine myself staring at a screen 40 hours a week. I have taken three programming courses to brainwash myself into liking programming, and although I did okay in those, I never had a burning passion for them. Despite I can work in finance or business with a math degree, I don't think the job prospect isn't as good as a computer science major who can get like three offers the moment he graduates.

On the other hand, I am worried about flipping burgers after getting math degree. Also, I it seems like I do not need to work in IT industry with a computer science degree, but I can also get a job in business or finance as a math major would.

So, for those of you majored in CS to get a job, are you happy with your decision?

I look forward to any advice. Thanks in advance.

I started off as a math major and i worried about the same things as you. I was intimidated by all the upper level CS majors and that made me shy to the CS courses. Anyways, long story short I ended up also getting my CS major and that landed me a really nice job within a couple of months of graduating.

So yes, i am very happy with my decision but, I also think that if you just want to do a math major you have to develop some skills on your own to make you marketable. You're probably not going to be solving differential equations with pencil and paper at any job so learn how to use some mathematics software or maybe pick up and engineering minor; etc.
 

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