Why does your kid want CS?

[Anonymous]

I have a kid who I think would major in computer science whether or not it is the hottest degree going right now. He has always been interested in computers, and his brain just works that way. He started teaching himself programming languages when he was seven and can read and write code as if he is reading and writing a novel. it is not just code, it is a whole system of thinking and way of processing information. I am sure that he will differentiate himself among the masses of computer science majors due to his natural talent. I think of it as if I had a gifted artist / I’m sure anyone can do an art project, but very few will produce works that matter.

[Anonymous]

Money, interest, good at coding, strong in math, job prospects

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Some of these kids are going to have a rude awakening in the job market in a few years. Only the very best will have the coveted jobs, and the rest will be cannibalized by AI.

The job market changes.

[Anonymous]

if CS jobs are in danger, imagine other areas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know just wants to make alot of money when they graduate. Short sighted in my view because A. AI and B. the entry level salaries may be high but not alot of upward mobility from there. C. Boring as hell.

There’s lots of upward mobility, just not if yoo you want to be a purely technical independent performer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:becaseu they want to major in serious real stuff, and get paid well later

they don't' want to waste time and money with something like communications stuff like that BS

“they” or you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know just wants to make alot of money when they graduate. Short sighted in my view because A. AI and B. the entry level salaries may be high but not alot of upward mobility from there. C. Boring as hell.

1. yes, good money in tech fields
2. yes, most lower/mid software programming jobs will either be taken over by AI or be offshored. I told my CS major DC this, so don't go into just purely software programming.
3. There are lots of "boring as h3ll" jobs. CS is only boring for people who aren't interested in it, just like other jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He really likes video games.

No joke. We have this scenario within our circle of friends. Dad is doing CS, kid loves video games but struggled with Algebra in HS (but enjoyed History and was good at it, came to the kid easy). Still going for CS. We shall see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if CS jobs are in danger, imagine other areas

+1 seriously

Who's going to create and support all those AI programs to take over non tech jobs? CS people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know just wants to make alot of money when they graduate. Short sighted in my view because A. AI and B. the entry level salaries may be high but not alot of upward mobility from there. C. Boring as hell.

?? Boring?? Look around.
All the fun exciting innovative futuristic things are coming out of the tech field.

Compare it to english, history, etc.

What are you smoking????? Duh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:becaseu they want to major in serious real stuff, and get paid well later

they don't' want to waste time and money with something like communications stuff like that BS

Oh that really sounds like how a college student thinks and not at all like a reactionary parent. So convincing.

[Anonymous]

In 8th grade, my kid decided he wanted CS because he wanted to create video games. So he attended a few video game / coding camps where they made apps and coded Lego mindstorms. We insisted that he take a Java class in high school to make sure he liked coding (mainly because he wanted to focus on CS curriculums for college applications).

He is now in his last year of a dual CS/Math degree (he graduates in Dec 2023). Ironically, his math classes were easier than the CS theory classes, although he "gets it". He prefers the programming aspects though, and his internships focused on that -- although to pass the interviews he had to know the theory.

To be good and like CS you have to have a different way of thinking and solving problems. I don't know if it's the discipline that creates a way of thinking, or if people whose minds work a specific way excel at a particular field. I think a lawyer, economist, CS major, and scientist could all be presented with the same problem and solve them a different way.

My son had an internship this past summer and he will return this coming summer. He loves that at his internship (and future job - hopefully) his colleagues were able to work at their own pace and hours. He also loves that CS skills are in demand and they work around a lot of other smart people. He loves to learn, and with CS it requires continuous learning. He is a tech-head and is interested in everything going on with the technological advances. My son realizes that he doesn't like to work and his job is "fun" and something that he would be doing anyway on the side even if he had another job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ours has always been deeply drawn to logic, puzzles, languages, and the creativity and imagination associated with a virtual world, with a healthy dose of math and philosophy. CS is perfect for all of this.

Also, he built his first PC at age 10 and never stopped digging into the world of what the technology side of science can do and may do.

So he's perfect for his field. He will make short work of all the people who pick that major with only superficial exposure and who think they'll have an easy career of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if CS jobs are in danger, imagine other areas

Essentially the very competent people in every field will keep doing well. It's the bottom-dwellers who will be gone when AI comes for their industry... but that goes for computer science most of all, because the FIRST thing to go will be the easy programs AI can take over.

Nuance is much needed on this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AI has issues with general things. It's been 15 years since the last spewing of AI taking over coding from humans.

Actually if anything AI helps programers from making stupid mistakes but that's it at least for now.

So plenty of CS jobs around.

You clearly haven't been following the latest AI developments. But I agree that for the next few years, CS jobs are safe. Which poses a problem for the kids in undergrad CS right now.