Is computer science a dead-end career?

[clicknext]

So it's grad year for me. I remember that in my first year in high school, gr.8, the councilors assured everyone that through high school, we will discover the path we'd like to take after standard education. 4 years later, I still have no idea what I want to do. I've always liked computers, since the middle of elementary and still do now, but all I've heard about software is that it's going downhill like a boulder heading out to sea. All I hear about it in the news is job layoffs, and all I hear from people I know are health problems as a result of sitting for hours and hours programming. So I need your opinion on this and related careers.

I'm also thinking about electrical engineering, particularly computer engineering; the hardware aspect. I havn't been able to get any opinions on this, so it would be great if you guys could give me any information about it such as common jobs, job availability, future possibilities.

Thanks a bunch. Boy, grad can be a headache.

 

[Chaotic42]

From what I hear, GIS majors are in demand.

 

[zimu]

GIS?

i'd be interested too; am currently in the process of applying for grad school. wanted to do a MS in computer science; but looking for closely related fields or advice on specialization options. i love computers, but i too know it is a very dead end field....

 

[Kipper]

The question is: what will make you ultimately fulfilled in the long run. I, like you, enjoy computers, but I also enjoy debating, arguing, etc. Some things are better left as hobbies, others as an occupation. Take a good look at your life forty years from now. IF you can picture yourself doing something else, then CS is probably not for you. If, however, you can, then go for it. Obviously, if it's a hopping point to something else then go into it with the knowledge that you will switch.

The one place you don't want to end up is the nine-to-fiver who watches the clock, waiting for freedom at 5PM only to go and drink away his soul.

Good luck. :beer:

Edit: I'm also a Senior, graduating with a Philosophy major and a minor in Sociology. I want to teach when I get older, a career I've considered my entire life. I really don't see myself doing anything else.

 

[acemcmac]

I hope not.... I'll finish the CS core requirements (barring a catastrophe) this spring

 

[cressida]

It's really hard to say where CS will end up ... Even back around 1989 there was a lot of lay off with engineers then it started picking back up. Everyone back then said that computers where the way to go, now there are more lay offs since 00.

Will update more ... hold on.

 

[SilentZero]

Well I hope not. I'm transferring to RPI next year for grad school (computer science), so I hope the job market is decent over the next few years, or its govt job here I come.

 

[Mik3y]

i agree wtih madcow. i am on my first year in college and was (until 3 weeks ago) deciding on whether to do hardware computer engineering or something else. i really, really, really love computers, but like some stated already, its leading towards a dead field. i live about 30 min. from irvine, so i know how difficult getting into the comptuer industry will be. before, all i could think of was, "i like computers and i'm gonna fulfill my passion". well, then i started thinking about the future 5 yrs from now. 10 yrs from now. 20 yrs from now, and so on. well, everyone knows that engineering is a very difficult field, and layoffs are very high, depending on where you work and who you work for. the computer industry is even more difficult to be successful in, yet get a job in as an engineer. why would company's want anything but the best? layoffs are a very real situation, unless you are a top engineer. money's great, but is it worth the work and stress while other negative factors boil down? i thought about all that. i've thought about it long and hard for over a year, and i'm now deciding to do dentistry, and if not that, optometry.

now if the computer industry was less complicated, then i would go for it in a heartbeat.

 

[rpc64]

I'm in a similar predicament. I'm studying for my MCSE right now and considering possibly doing more school to get a degree in CIS. I've already decided that I can't do CS. I really like computers and it would be cool to have a job in this field, but I know how tough it is. But what if I CAN see myself doing something else in 20 years but I have no idea what in the world that might be?

 

[spunkz]

i've really enjoyed my comp sci classes, and the experience so far has been challenging and varied enough to prepare me for anything. You need to pick something specific that you want to focus on by yourself like game programming or web design, and use your CS degree to help you get a job in that area. i've decided to teach high school comp sci and/or calc so i'm taking education classes my last year, and i have no doubt that i'll find a job and enjoy it. good luck!

 

[dr150]

It is....unless you want to move to India.

I hear they're hiring in Bangalore.

 

[wfbberzerker]

yep, i'd say go with being a cattle rancher.

 

[zener]

I heard that the obligatory new uniform of IT in my company now is vest, tie, shirt and sarong.

 

[zener]

As a software lead for 20 years +, my only hope is to find a rich old broad.

 

[CocoGdog]

Can you come over to my house and fix my computer? I heard you need a degree for that.

 

[Chompman]

Originally posted by: CocoGdog
Can you come over to my house and fix my computer? I heard you need a degree for that.

That or AOL and their backup system and a kid with a toy hammer

 

[cchen]

Computer Science is a field you study. Computer Science is NOT a career. What you study != your career

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: CocoGdog
Can you come over to my house and fix my computer? I heard you need a degree for that.

Sadly, this seems to be what most people with CS degrees do for a living.

 

[alpineranger]

The vast majority of the world, including many computer science students and those that employ them, don't seem to have a very good understanding of what computer science is. Consider the famous quote often attributed to Dijstraka, which goes something like: "Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes." Programming != Computer Science, and the inverse is true as well. It's incredibly hard, if not impossible to get a job doing real Computer Science without an advanced degree, but the same is true for some other fields (e.g. who would pay you to be a historian if you only have an BA in history?)

 

[clamum]

I can't believe it's a dead-end field... unless we all of a sudden stop using computers. Computers are being integrated more and more, who's going to do the programming? You can't outsource every job.

 

[neonerd]

i hope it's not a dead field

i was planning on following that career path afther i graduate HS (2007)

 

[SaturnX]

I'm studying Computer Engineering right now, and currently, am focusing myself on the other aspects of Computer Engineering, rather than what people most commonly group with it. I mean my current focus is PLCs / Controls and Control Systems, not so much, standard "Computer Hardware design" or "Hardware Programming" which many people say is a dead-end industry. That's why with whatever you pursue, you have to not limit yourself to what people "usually" do with a degree in that field of study.

--Mark

 

[Ausm]

Yes it iis.


Ausm

 

[arod]

Yes.... its not the fact that there arent any good CS jobs out there the main problem is what you needed a CS major a few years ago doesnt require CS majors anymore (basic web design and such), because the software has gotten to the point where secrataries can do most of the same work. I used to be in CS but got away from it when i realized it wasnt going anywhere.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: clicknext
I'm also thinking about electrical engineering, particularly computer engineering; the hardware aspect. I havn't been able to get any opinions on this, so it would be great if you guys could give me any information about it such as common jobs, job availability, future possibilities.

Go for the computer engineering. Everything you hear about job layoffs and outsourcing are related to IT Support staff and Programmers. But you can't go wrong with an engineering degree - you'll be dealing at the lower level, designing the electronics. If you can't get into Intel, AMD, etc. there are other chip companies that need engineers, such as the automobile industry, embedded systems, anything that is electronic.

edit:
correction, go into "electronic engineering", not just a computer specific engineering.