Anyone’s kid major in CS without any previous experience?

[Anonymous]

If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

[Anonymous]

No direct answer to your question. But, 2 yrs ago my kid took AP computer science principles (considered an easy computer sci class) with no coding background, and while the class wasn’t especially hard, he did say most kids came into the class with a lot of prior coding experience from camps, robotics, etc. and the class was graded on a curve so it did affect his grades. So I’d guess most kids entering college as CS majors would have even more background. Not a reason not to try it, though!

[Anonymous]

Kid I know tried it at UVa Eng. and ended up flopping and eventually going into liberal arts. Is your kid good at logic puzzles ("Tom was not wearing a Green shirt on Wednesday...")? Sudoku? Sequencing? Attention to detail? Tactful identification of others's stupid mistakes? I would say if your kid isn't intrinsically motivated enough to be attending the free hackathons here, writing apps, doing tutorials, etc. he probably should do sales (which often make more) or premed.

Did you ask him why he wants to do computer science? If it is because he thinks it a high-paying acceptable non-hunky male profession, it likely won't work out and he'll live a miserable life with it. If he says "Discrete math was my favorite thing in the enrichment seminar in 9th grade", he'll THRIVE and it will be an amazing career path.

[Anonymous]

Yep know a kid at Va tech who had no previous experience and no idea what to major in. Took some CS and got into the engineering school as a sophomore. Just had an internship with Amazon and got a return offer for next summer.

[Anonymous]

This really will depend on the kid. Try it out and always have a back up plan. This goes with any major.

[Anonymous]

OP

1. No they don't have to.
2. They do need to be excellent in math. Because most of the programs require higher math courses
3. It's more about what they have done outside of school if they have not taken any classes. Ie any type of coding.

If they really want to do this with no background have them take a class at a community college or online before going. Also, make sure whatever college they go to they can change their major easily if needed. That is key for any student.

[Anonymous]

My DD had minimal background in computer science when she started university. She is a strong student, very analytical and good in math. She majored in computer science, graduated this past December and received several job offers this past spring. Companies making offers included Amazon, Bloomberg and Google. She started working and is doing well so far.

[Anonymous]

If they have As in advanced math and physics, and an interest in coding, I don’t think it will be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

If you’re talking about a kid with access to many devices and no real interest in noodling around with computers, who just wants to make money: this post is an example of why being a CS major right now is the equivalent of a stock market bubble. Kids who love computers, puzzles and coding should major in CS, but most other kids would be better off majoring in women’s studies. Bad CS majors are going to soon drive down the value of the major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

If you’re talking about a kid with access to many devices and no real interest in noodling around with computers, who just wants to make money: this post is an example of why being a CS major right now is the equivalent of a stock market bubble. Kids who love computers, puzzles and coding should major in CS, but most other kids would be better off majoring in women’s studies. Bad CS majors are going to soon drive down the value of the major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

If you’re talking about a kid with access to many devices and no real interest in noodling around with computers, who just wants to make money: this post is an example of why being a CS major right now is the equivalent of a stock market bubble. Kids who love computers, puzzles and coding should major in CS, but most other kids would be better off majoring in women’s studies. Bad CS majors are going to soon drive down the value of the major.

I heard this same crap from the head of the CS dept at UNC back in the 80s. He and you have a lot in common. He didn't believe women should be in the field. Find something original to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

Do they love coding? Or is this just about being employable? If they love it, it doesn’t matter that the other kids started earlier. If they don’t love it, it will be a slog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

Do they love coding? Or is this just about being employable? If they love it, it doesn’t matter that the other kids started earlier. If they don’t love it, it will be a slog.

If you know how to read, you can code. It is not that difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, how did it go? Did they feel out of place compared to all the kids who did robotics in high school program as a hobby, etc.

Do they love coding? Or is this just about being employable? If they love it, it doesn’t matter that the other kids started earlier. If they don’t love it, it will be a slog.

If you know how to read, you can code. It is not that difficult.

Um…ok? My comment was not about the difficulty of coding.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have any experience, you will need to take an intro programming class and discrete math class. If you are doing fine, you have to take a required 200 level 'Data Structure and Algorithm' class next. This is the key weed-out class for a CS major. If you do reasonably well in that class, you probably have what it takes to move on declaring CS major. There are still more difficult classes in 300 and 400 levels.

It's not easy. It's not for everyone. Not many girls end up in CS majors. It's mostly boys.