Word of caution for aspiring CS majors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps folks didn't read the article. There is a throwaway line:

"To be sure, comp-sci majors from top-tier schools can still get jobs."

The article also goes on to state that many IT departments of non-tech companies are hiring lots of kids.

Unfortunately, the example kid they give of a CS degree from Catholic is the same story as told about every major since they started writing these articles about every major.

A CS degree from Catholic isn't the same as a CS degree from UMD. Much like a business or english or any other degree from Catholic is not the same as the equivalent from [INSERT TOP SCHOOL HERE].

What's CS degree from Catholic??

Computer Science degree from Catholic University

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are English majors in high demand?

Actually, yes. The future is bright for humanities majors.

For low paying jobs.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/14/here-are-college-majors-with-the-highest-and-lowest-rate-of-return.html


College majors with the highest and lowest return

A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors. Education and humanities majors and arts majors had the lowest returns of the 10 fields of study considered.

STEM, health and business majors are among the highest-paying, leading to average annual wages that are higher at the entry level and significantly greater over the course of a career compared with liberal arts and humanities majors.

Adjusted for college rank?

Anthro majors at Dartmouth do not equal anthro majors at UMD

sure, but even so, an anthro major at Dartmouth, is not going to have an easy time finding a job compared to a CS or business major from a T50.

I almost minored in anthro; I think it's a very interesting field, but hard to find a good paying job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps folks didn't read the article. There is a throwaway line:

"To be sure, comp-sci majors from top-tier schools can still get jobs."

The article also goes on to state that many IT departments of non-tech companies are hiring lots of kids.

Unfortunately, the example kid they give of a CS degree from Catholic is the same story as told about every major since they started writing these articles about every major.

A CS degree from Catholic isn't the same as a CS degree from UMD. Much like a business or english or any other degree from Catholic is not the same as the equivalent from [INSERT TOP SCHOOL HERE].

Catholic is a terrible example. That same kid with the kind of networks that Catholic builds on would land a great job.

Not really understanding what you are saying. One of the WSJ examples from the article which is the subject of this thread is a CS major struggling to land a job who attends Catholic University. I didn't just pull Catholic out of thin air.

“When I tell people I’m in computer science, they’re, like, ‘Lucky you. You’re going to make a lot of money. You can do anything you want,’” said Ben Riesett, a 22-year-old who graduated this month from Catholic University of America. “The truth is, when you start looking right now, it’s impossible to get hired.”

Just a few years ago, Riesett heard constantly that employers needed staff with his skill set; now, his classmates with jobs got them through friends or family, or from internships. Riesett, in Washington, D.C., said he has applied to entry-level roles all over the country and received only a few responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps folks didn't read the article. There is a throwaway line:

"To be sure, comp-sci majors from top-tier schools can still get jobs."

The article also goes on to state that many IT departments of non-tech companies are hiring lots of kids.

Unfortunately, the example kid they give of a CS degree from Catholic is the same story as told about every major since they started writing these articles about every major.

A CS degree from Catholic isn't the same as a CS degree from UMD. Much like a business or english or any other degree from Catholic is not the same as the equivalent from [INSERT TOP SCHOOL HERE].

What's CS degree from Catholic??

Computer Science degree from Catholic University

This one? Anything special about this school??
The Catholic University of America
https://www.catholic.edu/index.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What market isn't saturated?

Also, this is why it is so hard to get admitted to a CS program -- they aren't expanding the seats to meet student demand unless there is market demand.

UMD CP actually halved the CS class, but I think that was due to too many students who are not ready for it being interested in it, and wanting to keep the classes more intimate. UMD is also developing its AI/ML programs.

Job market is cyclical, but low level IT jobs have all been offshored. The big thing now is AI and ML, both of which are related to CS degrees. Some colleges are now starting to offer AI majors. That's the next big thing.

UMD may limit seats to increase demand for their program, but they are not adjusting to match the job market. Schools could care less about that.

I know UMD CS grad this cycle who does not have a job, including from previous internships. Planning a gap year abroad teaching English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps folks didn't read the article. There is a throwaway line:

"To be sure, comp-sci majors from top-tier schools can still get jobs."

The article also goes on to state that many IT departments of non-tech companies are hiring lots of kids.

Unfortunately, the example kid they give of a CS degree from Catholic is the same story as told about every major since they started writing these articles about every major.

A CS degree from Catholic isn't the same as a CS degree from UMD. Much like a business or english or any other degree from Catholic is not the same as the equivalent from [INSERT TOP SCHOOL HERE].

What's CS degree from Catholic??

Computer Science degree from Catholic University

This one? Anything special about this school??
The Catholic University of America
https://www.catholic.edu/index.html

The schools' median earning is actually not too bad
$76,452
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?131283-The-Catholic-University-of-America

Do you think history, english, etc. majors from this school would be better than CS major from this school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a liberal arts degree (economics and something soft) from the highest ranked school you can.

Recruiting for finance, consulting, and corporate /strategy roles are much much easier if you are in English and economics major coming from Rice or Vanderbilt or Emory compared to CS at Purdue…..

Ask around people!!!

You would have to want to work in finance, consulting, or corporate strategy though. My kid doesn't want that (and I would't have either).

[Anonymous]

Very soon the CS degree will be considered obsolete

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good that they're not expanding the seats. My English major found a good high-paying job quite easily out of school, but I know there are not clearly established paths for those majors as there are (or at least used to be) for CS majors.

Please share firm and $.

I won't name the firm but it's a large consulting firm with quantitative focus. Salary is around $90k. I agree with the advice to go to the best school you can get into, do as well as you can in that school, and don't accept the notion that you are limited by your major. My English major also took math, econ, government, etc, so firms knew she could do the work.

I mean, my CS major took English and Business classes (straight As). I guess they can do non CS related work, too?

+1 Our CS major is minoring in creative writing and theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are English majors in high demand?

Actually, yes. The future is bright for humanities majors.

For low paying jobs.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/14/here-are-college-majors-with-the-highest-and-lowest-rate-of-return.html


College majors with the highest and lowest return

A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors. Education and humanities majors and arts majors had the lowest returns of the 10 fields of study considered.

STEM, health and business majors are among the highest-paying, leading to average annual wages that are higher at the entry level and significantly greater over the course of a career compared with liberal arts and humanities majors.

Adjusted for college rank?

Anthro majors at Dartmouth do not equal anthro majors at UMD

Yes, they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a liberal arts degree (economics and something soft) from the highest ranked school you can.

Recruiting for finance, consulting, and corporate /strategy roles are much much easier if you are in English and economics major coming from Rice or Vanderbilt or Emory compared to CS at Purdue…..

Ask around people!!!

Unless you have good connections/networking, that will not help.

DS will graduate from an Ivy, commencement is today, and he is still looking for for a job, as most of his friends who don't have connections. Those with connections have good jobs.

Your kid had to join the clubs in schools and network network network….
Nothing lands in your lap.

These "clubs" arent the only way to network. One of my undergrad TAs encouraged me to apply for a job he used to have, since I had mentioned in office hours that I was interested in that subfield and I had a high A in the class. You don't need to golf.

Ultimately though, outside of CS, you need a graduate degree if you don't want to hit a hiring ceiling a few years down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are English majors in high demand?

Kids that have actual social skills are in demand more than. Kids that can communicate effectively, look people in the eye when talking, write effectively. Kids with great time management skills and EQ.

All of these executive functioning disorder/adhd Geniuses glued to a screen, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good that they're not expanding the seats. My English major found a good high-paying job quite easily out of school, but I know there are not clearly established paths for those majors as there are (or at least used to be) for CS majors.

Please share firm and $.

I won't name the firm but it's a large consulting firm with quantitative focus. Salary is around $90k. I agree with the advice to go to the best school you can get into, do as well as you can in that school, and don't accept the notion that you are limited by your major. My English major also took math, econ, government, etc, so firms knew she could do the work.

Great advice.
And hustle. Wherever you are.
I’ve already help DS research the clubs/teams to join at Ivy - will be freshman in fall.

The parenting job doesn’t end once they get in to a top college or program. It shifts and changes. Now they need life & career advice. Show them where to look, questions to ask, clubs to join, people to meet.

I know this is much harder with introverts….

Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a liberal arts degree (economics and something soft) from the highest ranked school you can.

Recruiting for finance, consulting, and corporate /strategy roles are much much easier if you are in English and economics major coming from Rice or Vanderbilt or Emory compared to CS at Purdue…..

Ask around people!!!

100%

Market is saturated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What market isn't saturated?

Also, this is why it is so hard to get admitted to a CS program -- they aren't expanding the seats to meet student demand unless there is market demand.

UMD CP actually halved the CS class, but I think that was due to too many students who are not ready for it being interested in it, and wanting to keep the classes more intimate. UMD is also developing its AI/ML programs.

Job market is cyclical, but low level IT jobs have all been offshored. The big thing now is AI and ML, both of which are related to CS degrees. Some colleges are now starting to offer AI majors. That's the next big thing.

UMD may limit seats to increase demand for their program, but they are not adjusting to match the job market. Schools could care less about that.

I know UMD CS grad this cycle who does not have a job, including from previous internships. Planning a gap year abroad teaching English.

CS departments limit seats because the field is so lucrative they can't get people to teach for a professor's measly wage.