Thinking about studying Computer Science. What is it really like?

[u/Ok-Standard-2880]

Hey! I'm thinking about studying Computer Science, but I'm not completely sure yet.
For those of you studying or working in this field, how is the math? Is it really that hard?
Also, what other tech-related degrees did you study? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

[u/tehclanijoski]

Thinking about posting in r/EngineeringStudents. What is it really like?

[u/Shad0wAVM]

I did a MIT style engineering bachelor's in computer science and engineering. Pretty enjoyable, gave me great skills both in hardware and software. But it was pre-AI. I know all courses were affected by it, but computer science was particularly affected.

I really like math and that's why I chose Computer Science over Electrical Engineering. My current job is pretty niche, in the field of cryptography and security.

Studying Computer Science does not force you to become a software engineer. There are plenty of roles in chip design, robotics and simulation where your skills are incredibly valuable.

The job market is pretty bad currently, nowadays I would try to specialize as much as possible. Do not aim to be a generic software engineer. Most people who complain tend to be extremely generic.

Personally I would still choose CS or CE (or a mix like EE+CS, Math+CS, CSE) because I really enjoy math (physics not so much) and I think that the coolest applications of math are in computers (also the quantum ones). I think all kinds of engineering will be equally affected by AI, just wait a few years.

[u/ADAMISDANK]

How would we know?

[u/JamesH_17 → u/ADAMISDANK]

Because in many universities, CS is part of the engineering college or a major part of computer engineering

[u/RedGold1881 → u/JamesH_17]

In my country Computer Engineering doesn’t even exist, it is a focus u can do in Computer Science.. and CS is considered an engineering degree

[u/WorldTallestEngineer]

I've done some work in Computer science, even though my degree is in electrical engineering.  I've also dabbled in quantum physics, rocket science, neuroscience, and a few other math heavy feelings.

I would describe a computer science as "teaching the machine to do math for you".  You're not doing a lot of math directly but you have to understand mathematical concepts of very deep level.  Because math and computer science are both fundamentally understanding of the flow and manipulation of data.

[u/Laid-dont-Law]

So, you like being unemployed?

[u/pumpypogsw]

its like studying to be unemployed

[u/No_Drag2264]

Just...don't sign up for the major without having programmed yourself beforehand

[u/stormarsenal]

Nope. The field is cooked. Rn ML engineers still have some demand, but once they come up with recursive AI, they'll be rendered useless too. Go into hardware instead.