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College Major Help

Franz316

Franz316

Golden Member
Hi guys, I figured the people here would be best to answer my question about Careers within the computer field. First a little background.

I am very good with computers, since age 9 I have been enthralled with them. I've built them, I know how they work and I can fix them. I am freshman this year at the University of Florida and chose computer science as my major. I really didn't know what I was getting into when I chose it. Right now I have one programming course which is C. Already I can begin to notice that I really don't enjoy making programs and I cannot see myself doing this for a living. I do not like math that much and I can see that programming is very math intensive. I don't think I can make it to Calculus 3.

What I really enjoy is, troubleshooting software and hardware problems. I also enjoy setting up networks. Is there a major that fits this catagory? I know IT kind of covers this area but I do not know much about it. Video editing and effects have also garnered my interest, I am actually pretty good in most of the Adobe programs like AE, PS, and Illustrater. I can see myself doing that also. My dream job would be working at ILM.

So what do you guys think? I am actually pretty tired of school, I just don't like it. I know it is not the smartest idea but is there a way to make it without a college degree? Should I just wait it out a bit and see if I start liking CS? I Really don't know what to do right now, I'd be interested in hearing what your experiences were in picking a major up to your career.

Thanks alot
-David
 
IMO if you don't like programming already, Computer Science might not be the way to go because it'll only get harder. Maybe talk to your advisor or others at the school and see if they have a major that you would prefer.
 
Well... let's summarize what you like to do:

Build computers
Troubleshoot computer problems
Build LANs

I agree... CS is probably not for you. If that's what you want to do for the rest of your life, I'm pretty sure you don't need a college degree. If college is definitely in your future, then computers should at best be your hobby and you seriously do something thinking about what type of career you want to have.
 
My 2 cents, take with salt.

I graduated with a computer science degree and can sum up the collected knowledge that I have retained from all 4 years of class in one sentence --
"The Tupinamba tribe in South American are reknowned cannibals"
The only reason I remember that was because the TA was so damn hot it's obscene...and she spoke in one of those deep throaty voices that your ear translates from whatever they're saying into "Come hither".

really, the degree is there so you can say you have the degree IMO. If you're really good at what you do, your field of study isn't gonna change that. What it CAN do for you, however, is put you in contact with other people doing what you want to do and interested in what you're interested in, ergo, helping you learn.

 
IT/Systems admin-type major is pretty much the major for troubleshooting, setup LANs, etc... but if you're really serious about art then I'd go that route which is pretty much way different, you can't really have both. 🙂
 
IMO if you can make it past calc 1, you can make it past calc 3. But if you don't like programming that's a different story..It would be ashame if you got a CS degree and didn't like doing it. I'd say go for the digital arts degree!
 
i'd also advise to stay away from CS. i got my B.S. and M.S. in computer engineering and still never found a good job (so i started my own business, lol). a lot of strictly programming jobs are being outsourced, so it's a better idea to focus on either the creative art-type direction or maybe something more business-oriented
 
Can you really get to the cool stuff in CS if you don't get down the basic/easier stuff first? There might be more interesting things if you stick it out.

At this school, I hear some profs in later CS courses assign the creation of games as assignments. It'd probably be more interesting than the little things you have to do now to learn the basics. Even if it isn't a game, I'm sure there's a sense of accomplishment behind completing most any larger program that works.

Just think, maybe you don't like it... but there's probably lots of other stuff you REALLY don't like.
 
Hey,
I was in your EXACT same position last year as a freshman at University of Michigan, I just chose not to do it, programming is not what I want to do and I cant take all the math, plus I dont want to work a 9 to 5 job in a cube, I thought hard at what my other interests were and I chose to go pre-business/pre-law.

N
 
Wow,thats exactly how I feel. Although I'm not so much into the art thing. I'm a senior in HS and a 9-5 job sitting in a cube doesnt sound too fun for me. So yeah, I'm thinking about maybe a network admin or something.....
 
Thanks guys, its nice to know other people have had the same troubles. I am going to see my adviser tommorrow and see what path makes the most sense for me. I think Digital Arts is my field...

Once again, Thanks!
 
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