Career Hunting: Computer Science Degree

[Coldkilla]

Heya Yall,

I've been doing some searching and I got nothing. I am going to college in the fall and I was set on Computer Hardware/Software Engineering. I started to think about it after a year and now I'm not so sure. I want a high-paying career that has something to follow my interests instead of the drive for just money.

I've built a few computers, and I LOVE doing that
I love working with Photoshop, however I am no artist (by hand).
--I love manipulating/changing photographs
I LOVE to edit movies

I wasn't so sure Engineering was right for me due to the fact that I have never even had the smallest taste of what its like and I already have some huge passions in computers and I dont know if jumping into some unknown field will 'click' with me. Any ideas? I've been looking and 'Googling' and came up with almost nothing. Thanks!!

 

[Tu13erhead]

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[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
Heya Yall,

I've been doing some searching and I got nothing. I am going to college in the fall and I was set on Computer Hardware/Software Engineering. I started to think about it after a year and now I'm not so sure. I want a high-paying career that has something to follow my interests instead of the drive for just money.

I've built a few computers, and I LOVE doing that
I love working with Photoshop, however I am no artist (by hand).
--I love manipulating/changing photographs
I LOVE to edit movies

I wasn't so sure Engineering was right for me due to the fact that I have never even had the smallest taste of what its like and I already have some huge passions in computers and I dont know if jumping into some unknown field will 'click' with me. Any ideas? I've been looking and 'Googling' and came up with almost nothing. Thanks!!

Do that as a career and it will kill your love of your hobby.

 

[StormRider]

You need to also like math and science if you want to enjoy an engineering degree.

 

[Tu13erhead]

.

 

[Coldkilla]

Have you guys worked in Hardware Engineering or Software? How do you like it? I wanted to program computers at one point in time. I got a few books but havent even had the time to open them.

As for Red Dawn's comment. I have used photoshop/illistrator/premiere etc.. for years. It does get very agrivating and very time consuming, however the end result is well worth it.

I'm still leaning towards Engineering.

 

[Tu13erhead]

.

 

[Descartes]

I want a high-paying career that has something to follow my interests instead of the drive for just money.

Sure, that's what everyone wants.

No offense at all intended, but the interests you've listed so far are more along the hobby side than something you can pursue academically, especially in engineering; however, you could pursue something in design, and there are a lot of people that develop great careers along that path. Engineering is the polar opposite of what you say you enjoy doing so far.

I've been in software for almost 10 years now, and at first it started out as an interest like you have with design related work. Unfortunately, as others have said, the stress of the industry can often put a limit on your enthusiasm. It's still a wonderful industry, but you have to enjoy it or you simply won't make it.

Whether you go into engineering, software, or design, you really need to determine whether or not it's something you can do for decades (or sometimes less; I'm getting out of the industry in about 5 years). Software isn't something that you can force yourself to enjoy or even tolerate. If you don't like it you'll be miserable. Same with engineering, in my opinion. Design is unique in that most people simply don't have that type of creative ability, so if that's where you lean that's what I'd pursue.

 

[mercanucaribe]

It doesn't matter what you think you'd like. Liking computers doesn't mean you should be a computer engineer or that you'd make a good one.

 

[Injury]

You don't wany anything to do with the technology portion of a school.

You want the art department.

Graphic design is where you should look. Then minor in video/film something or other.

 

[stu1811]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Originally posted by: StormRider
You need to also like math and science if you want to enjoy an engineering degree.

Yep. Unfortunately, building computers, editing photos, and editing movies aren't in the curriculum for a CE/CS major. Take a look through your school's course catalog and read some of the descriptions to see if you'll enjoy them. For me, CE has been _very_ hard, and the number of students in my class as CEs has gone from about 25 to 1. I'm glad I've stuck with it, though.

Exact same thing happened at my school. We started out with 20 or so and we are graduating in 2 weeks with 5. Its supposed to be the hardest major at my school.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: stu1811

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Originally posted by: StormRider
You need to also like math and science if you want to enjoy an engineering degree.

Yep. Unfortunately, building computers, editing photos, and editing movies aren't in the curriculum for a CE/CS major. Take a look through your school's course catalog and read some of the descriptions to see if you'll enjoy them. For me, CE has been _very_ hard, and the number of students in my class as CEs has gone from about 25 to 1. I'm glad I've stuck with it, though.

Exact same thing happened at my school. We started out with 20 or so and we are graduating in 2 weeks with 5. Its supposed to be the hardest major at my school.

Your entire university has 5 people with a CE major??

 

[stu1811]

LOL yes. 2000 undergrad. Most of the Computer Engineers became Electical Engineers.

 

[chusteczka]

OP, it is best to focus on learning the skills necessary to obtain a job after graduation. Your comments have focused on the application of skills you already have but that are not marketable without a more professional level of skills.

Engineering will teach you analytical and logical reasoning skills that will provide for most any application. If you like the computer graphical artistic side of computer applications, then minor in this. You can work on computers all you like but it is best to have an application (minor) for your computer skills to be used in.

If the math and science portion of engineering is not what you enjoy then consider the business aspect of computers. If engineering and business is not what you like, then consider the artistic side. It is good to have a passion to provide motivation to get a person through their long study hours. It is also good to graduate with a strong set of marketable skills that will assist with obtaining a job.