There have been a number of news articles which have stated that there has been a somewhat significant increase in the number of students who are majoring in CS. Therefore, is this a bad time for someone to be starting an undergraduate program in computer science?
Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
1–10 of 23 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#2Are you in it for the money or because you love technology/programming?
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#3Even if it's a bad time NOW to be going into CS, that won't be the case forever. If you have enough resources to survive the lean times, seems like you'd do well to get the CS degree so you'll have it when times get better.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#4If it's what you love, it's never a bad time. This is true for virtually anything. There are times when it may be easier or harder to make a living doing so, but if you love it, you should work at it.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#5Do it because you want to. There were a ton of people who jumped on the bandwagon in the late nineties, but a lot of them faded away after the dot com crash.
Don't do it for the money, there are plenty of other ways to make about the same amount from an hourly perspective. Do it because you want to.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#6Do what you love, or at least want, because ultimately your choice of course is not something that binds you irrevocably to one career or another.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#7Consider that even if there are increased numbers, if you are in it because it's what gets you motivated, those numbers will fade away over time (they'll be the developers that only last 3-5yrs before switching careers). Meanwhile, you'll still be there because you enjoy what you do. Believe me, computer work is not going away any time soon (even if the bulk of it is not thrilling or exciting).
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#8Are you in it for the money or because you love technology/programming?
I agree with this question. If you're in it for the money than you should probably look into something else. The fact that you're questioning going into CS probably means it possibly may not be for you.
If technology/programming is something that you love to do, then there is no question to go into CS if you're wanting a formal education.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#9Companies are always in need to good programmers and Computer Scientists. Why not go to school for CS now while the economy isn't perfect and then you'll be out when it starts to pick up again.
Re: Ask HN: Is this a bad time to be majoring in Computer Science
#10Are you in it for the money or because you love technology/programming?
I agree with this question. If you're in it for the money than you should probably look into something else. The fact that you're questioning going into CS probably means it possibly may not be for you. If technology/programming is something that you love to do, then there is no question to go into CS if you're wanting a formal education.
I definently enjoy programming. From GUI development to data science, I love sitting at a computer and thinking through problems. However, I think it's only natural to be worried about job market realities.
Let's say I loved art. What use is studying art history if I can't get a job and would be living paycheck to paycheck.