Ask HN: Son is major in CS, but doesn't code. Red flag?

His interests are more in socializing and hobbies than tinkering in python, C++, or javascript. He had a few classes in js and C++ and did very well, but its not something he continues to do on his own.

I am not a developer or cs engineer, but my thought is for him to change majors if tinkering doesn't come naturally.

Are 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?

I wouldn’t sweat it too much unless he is struggling in school or showing a lack of interest in his studies. The value of a degree in any of the sciences translates easily to many careers.

You should be careful here and make things more objective. If you are looking at rational cues e.g. "socializing and good grades" and concluding that he needs a change, we can also say that you are being irrational wrt the social-norms bell curve.

A lot of mental coding goes on inside the mind first, and some people have an inner coding voice / logical internal monologue.

In such a case he's definitely coding all the time. So social life might even be therapeutic in quieting the inner monologue, so to speak. And that's just one example...

Good luck and always a good idea to let him know you are available to listen whenever.

College is the best time in his life to socialize and build relationships that last a lifetime. Let him do his thing. If his grades are fine why are you worried?

For a fresh out of college grad new hire/interview they're going to care much more about grades and school prestige than hobbies or side projects. At least for the major FAANG companies. Something like "deans list BS computer science from Berkeley" or "masters in CS with specialization in AI/machine learning from Stanford" on the resume is going to matter much more for easily getting hired in today's market than "I.. uhh.. like to tinker in my spare time".