I am in need of a major change.

[Saint Nick]

I am currently a Computer Science major. And, Intro to C++ (1400) is kicking my ass, and my instructor said that if Intro to C++ is kicking my ass, just wait until I get to Advanced C++ (1620), then that will REALLY kick my ass. So, I have realized I don't think I'll be able to handle the computer science major. I thought about doing MIS (Management Information Systems) since it is more business than compute science (at least that is what my instructor told me today). And, really, I'd like to do something with computers, but I don't know what. I don't necessarily hate programming, it just kicks my ass. So... I need a major change.

I kind of like math (I am not bad at it). I don't like physics, I don't like chemistry (mostly because I am not good at it). English I don't have a problem with at all (writing papers, researching, etc. etc.). I am kind of interested in some business stuff, but I would like it to have something to do with computers with not so much programming. I considered networking or system's security, but my problem is that I STILL have to do programming, and programming just kicks my ass. My instructor did say after all that computer science/MIS isn't ALL programming, just its required to move on to other things.

Should I go ahead and switch over to MIS? Or should I go and look at some other options, like accounting or something? I really want a college degree.

Cliffe's Notes:
1. Programming is kicking my ass.
2. Further programming courses will kick my ass.
3. I need to change from Computer Science to something that isn't so heavily involved with programming, but still has to do with computers because thats what I am good with.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Just stick with it, and get a tutor for some help on the side.

Best of luck to you with your schooling, mate. :thumbsup:

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: Schadenfreude
Just stick with it, and get a tutor for some help on the side.

Best of luck to you with your schooling, mate. :thumbsup:

Thanks man... I really feel overwhelmed with my stupid Intro to C++ class. Jesus, if I can't handle that.. what CAN I handle?

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: Schadenfreude
Just stick with it, and get a tutor for some help on the side.

Best of luck to you with your schooling, mate. :thumbsup:

Thanks man... I really feel overwhelmed with my stupid Intro to C++ class. Jesus, if I can't handle that.. what CAN I handle?

Well, let's step back a bit; you still seemed interested in the topic, but just the particular class is challenging; it might actually be that the instructor is not that great at communication or it's just not your strength, or possibly both; but you've also stated that programming isn't all there is to your major as well - I'd say wait it out, and play to your strengths.

 

[Crono]

Something in Biology maybe? I was a Mechanical Engineering major, but it wasn't working out for me, so I switched to Bio. That's a different situation, as I wasn't interested rather than it being too difficult. Bio is a lot easier for me, though. Btw, I took C++, and while it didn't kick my ass too much, I didn't like it that much. I used a C++ for dummies book that helped me out a lot (which, coincidentally, I'm selling ). Good luck with C++; I suggest getting a tutor.

 

[robothouse77]

i would say...just get into the business school, and take something w/ computers as a minor (if they have something like that).

 

[Vinfinite]

Originally posted by: Crono
Something in Biology maybe? I was a Mechanical Engineering major, but it wasn't working out for me, so I switched to Bio. That's a different situation, as I wasn't interested rather than it being too difficult. Bio is a lot easier for me, though. Btw, I took C++, and while it didn't kick my ass too much, I didn't like it that much. I used a C++ for dummies book that helped me out a lot (which, coincidentally, I'm selling ).

Bio Majors usually have to take a lot of chemistry, so I wouldn't suggest it

 

[stardrek]

Go into IT or IST...still get to be around computers and don't have to program.

 

[Tu13erhead]

.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: stardrek
Go into IT or IST...still get to be around computers and don't have to program.

Do such jobs pay a lot? I mean, I'm mostly looking for 40k / year once I want my family going...

If not, I may settle on that. I'll definately look into it. Good suggestion. I don't want something easy, but I need something that I am interested in, something with not so much programming, but still with computers. So, this definatley might be a good thing to go check out.

 

[DaveSimmons]

A mathematics BS is pretty useless by itself unless you want to teach K-12.

Applied math involves programming, and is also not too useful by itself.

Going on to a Ph.D in mathematics requires a lot of the same problem-solving as programming, but is much harder since you have to understand hundreds of years of existing work before you can do anything new.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
A mathematics BS is pretty useless by itself unless you want to teach K-12.

Applied math involves programming, and is also not too useful by itself.

Going on to a Ph.D in mathematics requires a lot of the same problem-solving as programming, but is much harder since you have to understand hundreds of years of existing work before you can do anything new.

I thought about becoming a high school algebra teacher. I like algebra, pre-calc, and trig myself But I won't have a nice paycheck... because I am getting married in a few years and I will be having kids as well.

 

[puffff]

Originally posted by: jndietz
I am currently a Computer Science major. And, Intro to C++ (1400) is kicking my ass, and my instructor said that if Intro to C++ is kicking my ass, just wait until I get to Advanced C++ (1620), then that will REALLY kick my ass. So, I have realized I don't think I'll be able to handle the computer science major. I thought about doing MIS (Management Information Systems) since it is more business than compute science (at least that is what my instructor told me today). And, really, I'd like to do something with computers, but I don't know what. I don't necessarily hate programming, it just kicks my ass. So... I need a major change.

I kind of like math (I am not bad at it). I don't like physics, I don't like chemistry (mostly because I am not good at it). English I don't have a problem with at all (writing papers, researching, etc. etc.). I am kind of interested in some business stuff, but I would like it to have something to do with computers with not so much programming. I considered networking or system's security, but my problem is that I STILL have to do programming, and programming just kicks my ass. My instructor did say after all that computer science/MIS isn't ALL programming, just its required to move on to other things.

Should I go ahead and switch over to MIS? Or should I go and look at some other options, like accounting or something? I really want a college degree.

Cliffe's Notes:
1. Programming is kicking my ass.
2. Further programming courses will kick my ass.
3. I need to change from Computer Science to something that isn't so heavily involved with programming, but still has to do with computers because thats what I am good with.

Dont kid yourself.. a math degree isnt all that easy either. High school calc and trig dont hold a candle to math at the college level. Matrix algebra, diophantine equations, multi variable calc, number theory might be things you'll encounter along the way. Math is still a technical major and like computer science, you'll have to know your stuff to do well.

Do you want to end up in IT? If so, do MIS or something similar. However, if your interest is in the business world, go for a finance, accounting, business adminstration type major. Dont worry about being near computers. In this day and age, you cant escape them!

 

[RedPickle]

MIS, that's where the money is. Work in a finance firm doing MIS.

 

[fitzov]

What about it is kicking your ass? Did you take C first, or do they still teach that?

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: fitzov
What about it is kicking your ass? Did you take C first, or do they still teach that?

I hope so, I took C as an MIS major.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: fitzov
What about it is kicking your ass? Did you take C first, or do they still teach that?

I didn't take C first. They don't teach it here at UNO. But, what is kicking my ass is the fact that I have to type research papers and do large trig/pre-calc assignments while the teacher assigns ridiculous C++ programs. I also think I have a hard time actually getting the program to do what the instructor wants us to do using specific ways that are said on the assignment. Programming itself is easy, its just doing the assignments, I think. I understand how things work up to this point, and I even understand how to use OOP (classes, objects, etc).

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: puffff
Do you want to end up in IT? If so, do MIS or something similar. However, if your interest is in the business world, go for a finance, accounting, business adminstration type major. Dont worry about being near computers. In this day and age, you cant escape them!

I honestly don't think I would mind "ending up" in IT. Its fun stuff to do, IMO, lol. Someone here said go work for a finance firm with an MIS degree. I could handle that too.

I have also had a couple of people tell me that whatever job I take, what I learned in college is very important, but it isn't near as advanced as what I'll need "in the real world". Of course, I can really validate their source, as I am only a freshman.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: puffff
Do you want to end up in IT? If so, do MIS or something similar. However, if your interest is in the business world, go for a finance, accounting, business adminstration type major. Dont worry about being near computers. In this day and age, you cant escape them!

I honestly don't think I would mind "ending up" in IT. Its fun stuff to do, IMO, lol. Someone here said go work for a finance firm with an MIS degree. I could handle that too.

I have also had a couple of people tell me that whatever job I take, what I learned in college is very important, but it isn't near as advanced as what I'll need "in the real world". Of course, I can really validate their source, as I am only a freshman.

IT is most definately not CS. I got out of CS because I hated programming, though I wasn't that bad at it. Bottom line, if you enjoy it but it's hard to figure out, stick with it, but if you hate it then you will probably always hate it.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: puffff
Do you want to end up in IT? If so, do MIS or something similar. However, if your interest is in the business world, go for a finance, accounting, business adminstration type major. Dont worry about being near computers. In this day and age, you cant escape them!

I honestly don't think I would mind "ending up" in IT. Its fun stuff to do, IMO, lol. Someone here said go work for a finance firm with an MIS degree. I could handle that too.

I have also had a couple of people tell me that whatever job I take, what I learned in college is very important, but it isn't near as advanced as what I'll need "in the real world". Of course, I can really validate their source, as I am only a freshman.

IT is most definately not CS. I got out of CS because I hated programming, though I wasn't that bad at it. Bottom line, if you enjoy it but it's hard to figure out, stick with it, but if you hate it then you will probably always hate it.

You got out of CS... what did you switch to?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: puffff
Do you want to end up in IT? If so, do MIS or something similar. However, if your interest is in the business world, go for a finance, accounting, business adminstration type major. Dont worry about being near computers. In this day and age, you cant escape them!

I honestly don't think I would mind "ending up" in IT. Its fun stuff to do, IMO, lol. Someone here said go work for a finance firm with an MIS degree. I could handle that too.

I have also had a couple of people tell me that whatever job I take, what I learned in college is very important, but it isn't near as advanced as what I'll need "in the real world". Of course, I can really validate their source, as I am only a freshman.

IT is most definately not CS. I got out of CS because I hated programming, though I wasn't that bad at it. Bottom line, if you enjoy it but it's hard to figure out, stick with it, but if you hate it then you will probably always hate it.

You got out of CS... what did you switch to?

Management/Business with a concentration in IS. It's worked out well for me so far.

 

[Juno]

i was an architecture major and hated it so much due to math so i switched to industrial design and absolutely loved it!

 

[Gibson486]

MIS

If you are a CS major, you'll have to know C/C++....

If you are an Electrical Engineer....all you need to know is Matlab and basic scripting.....

If you are a math major, you need Matlab or Maple.....

You see where this is going?

 

[Juno]

you could try IT but it would take some programming classes i think. my friend is taking some java classes thru IT.

 

[purbeast0]

when I was a freshman in college I almost switched majors because I got a C my first semester in C programming, then I failed my second semester C++ course. I was on the verge of droping out of college or computer science major, but I decided to get my shlt straight and toughen it out.

i then learned you just cannot wait till last minute to start projects. i would start them the day they were assigned and typically finish them early. i wouldn't skip any classes. i wouldn't hesitate to go to the TA's to get some help if I needed it. I ended up getting an A the 2nd time I took the C++ course.

initial C++ courses can be very tough beause you are learning a lot of new concepts and stuff. the later courses will be very tough, but it's stuff that is a lot more interesting as well and isn't just learning these new concepts. i say give it another chance and buckle down. now i've been graduated since May 2004 and doing software engineering since. It's a pretty cool field that pays decently