Not a red flag. You don’t need to be a coder to be successful in tech.
Coders are well served having smart people around them who have other skills and can still speak tech. He’ll probably do better than a run of the mill engineer.
Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
51–60 of 136 posts
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#52Recommend him continue doing MBA. He isn't that technical even though maybe very gifted academically or even programming. As long as he is not heavy into dirty programming, after 3-4 years he will be very weak compare to his peers. By 10th year he will be totally consider incompetent in programming even though he can read a bit of the codes. Since he is social, it is more likely he able to flourish well in the management level (or sales). Having MBA from reputable school allows him to have direct entry into that tier without needing to go thru the lower ranked CS artisans. I am in HR for more than 3 decades, so that is what I can observe and tell.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#53There's a lot here to unpack, but I don't believe this is a red flag. CS is not a "gimme" major. If he's continuing to pursue it and the college isn't weeding him out, then he's clearly doing alright and has enough enthusiasm for the major. Let him continue. On a more personal note, I don't believe this is any of your business. Your son is a grown adult. Perhaps he's getting a degree on your dime, but he needs to mak…
Both Indian and Chinese kids continue to excel in every industry, despite heavy involvement from parents. (and happy) OTOH, I've seen many White students raised by liberal parents with too much student debt (and depressed). So, unless there is data to prove that "letting 18 years old to make their own life changing decisions" on their own, we need to stop this overly progressive method.
And sometimes heavy involvement with a Therapist later as an adult.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#54Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#55There is nothing wrong. Leave him alone.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#56You're probably right. I never went to college but I started learning how to code in my late 20s because I could finally afford a used computer by then (late 1980s).
It tore me up to go to friends homes and see a Mac or Commodore 64 sitting on a desk collecting dust. When I got my first used computer in the early 90s, (a Commodore 64) I dove into learning how to program. Back then I didn't know anyone who knew how code. I started buying books in the 90s and still have most of them.
So I think you've got a great point about "if tinkering doesn't come naturally".
Coding something is often times designing the logic to do something you can't copy and past a solution for. It's that kind of challenge that makes it interesting (and frustrating), but if that doesn't intrigue and inspire you than it might not be a good career choice.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#57You're probably right. I never went to college but I started learning how to code in my late 20s because I could finally afford a used computer by then (late 1980s). It tore me up to go to friends homes and see a Mac or Commodore 64 sitting on a desk collecting dust. When I got my first used computer in the early 90s, (a Commodore 64) I dove into learning how to program. Back then I didn't know anyone who knew how co…
I can relate to so much of this but I also recognize that among the people I work with today this tinkering mindset isn't common among the developers. The tinkers tend to be much better at troubleshooting, are often more creative but they aren't necessarily better developers.
In short the domain has become just another office job for most of these people rather than something they love.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#58Are any of his hobbies things that could be careers? You don't have to eat sleep and breathe programming to pay the bills with it. Have you considered talking to your son about his goals and dreams?
It's rarely the best move to base careers around your hobbies. It tends to ruin your love for the hobby more often that make your work a joy.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
Both Indian and Chinese kids continue to excel in every industry, despite heavy involvement from parents. (and happy) OTOH, I've seen many White students raised by liberal parents with too much student debt (and depressed). So, unless there is data to prove that "letting 18 years old to make their own life changing decisions" on their own, we need to stop this overly progressive method.
And sometimes heavy involvement with a Therapist later as an adult.
It’s a lot better to be wealthy and pay a few grand a year for therapy than to be always broke and unemployed.
Re: Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?
#60There's a lot here to unpack, but I don't believe this is a red flag. CS is not a "gimme" major. If he's continuing to pursue it and the college isn't weeding him out, then he's clearly doing alright and has enough enthusiasm for the major. Let him continue. On a more personal note, I don't believe this is any of your business. Your son is a grown adult. Perhaps he's getting a degree on your dime, but he needs to mak…
Both Indian and Chinese kids continue to excel in every industry, despite heavy involvement from parents. (and happy) OTOH, I've seen many White students raised by liberal parents with too much student debt (and depressed). So, unless there is data to prove that "letting 18 years old to make their own life changing decisions" on their own, we need to stop this overly progressive method.
It's a mixed bag. My Asian wife had heavy involvement from her parents. For her I think it worked well. For her brother not so much.
I think it's a matter of degree. Many in the west could have more involvement in their children's education and see better outcomes. Many outside the west could give their children a little more freedom and see better outcomes. Neither is perfect.