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What would be the best college degree for me to pursue, Computer Science focused on cyber security or electrical engineering?

I have done computer science classes since freshman year of high school and have enjoyed it, but I also am worried about job security.

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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Hello, student
I wanted to share a bit about my journey to help you decide between Cybersecurity and Electrical Engineering. I’ve worked on UAVs for many years and am currently a software developer. My background is in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), which covers fields like communication, control systems, power systems, and computer engineering. What I’ve learned is that Electrical Engineering provides a solid foundation that allows you to transition into different branches of the field, including Cybersecurity, as your interests evolve.

If you’re unsure, taking introductory courses in both Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is a great way to figure out which path suits you best. If your school offers a program in Electrical and Computer Engineering, that’s a fantastic option since it covers both fields. But if you start with Electrical Engineering, you can always transition into Cybersecurity later on—it’s still a great route.

Cybersecurity has a lot of demand right now and offers many remote opportunities. On the other hand, Electrical Engineering also has strong prospects, especially in fields like telecommunications, robotics, and more. Both fields offer exciting growth and career potential. To stay up to date, check out blogs or podcasts that align with your interest—Darknet Diaries for Cybersecurity and EEVblog for Electrical Engineering are great examples. Also, talking to professors or advisors can give you invaluable insights as you make your decision.

One thing to consider is work-life balance. Cybersecurity roles can sometimes involve night shifts or being on-call, while Electrical Engineering jobs tend to have more predictable hours. So think about what works best for your lifestyle. And don't worry about job security. Both fields offer great job stability now and in the future. The key is to decide on a path, commit to your education, and focus on graduating. Once you're there, you’ll have plenty of opportunities in either field.

Ultimately, choose the field that excites you the most—whether it’s protecting digital assets in Cybersecurity or designing physical systems in Electrical Engineering.

Good luck, and I’m confident you’ll find the right path for you!
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Carlos’s Answer

Hi Brandon,

As an Electronics Engineer by college degree myself, I mainly worked my whole career with Software coding and Software project management and eventually ended up in managing Cybersecurity projects in a very large Tech Company. So seeing the current landscape of cybersecurity, I see a lot of opportunities today there given the accelerated rise of Generative AI, as AI now provides novel and new ways of breaching the security of systems, so there's a lot of demand right now for cybersecurity professionals that are also well versed in Generative AI to counter these possible attacks to security.

So, with that said, also Cybersecurity implies to learn and enforce a lot of policies, rules and regulations, so not everything is about coding or "ethical hacking" but also a lot of reading to learn about security laws, regulations and rules and educate other people about it.

I think at the end it depends on what you enjoy the most, if knowing of electrical systems (which are also very important in our time) or if you enjoy protecting computer systems from threats , which definitely has a lot of demand. If going the Cybersecurity route, I advise you to learn what you can about Generative AI per the reasons I commented above.

Good luck!
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Hemant’s Answer

If you're deciding between Computer Science (Cybersecurity focus) and Electrical Engineering (EE), here’s a breakdown to help you choose:

Computer Science (Cybersecurity Focus)
Why Choose It?
- High Demand & Job Security – Cybersecurity professionals are needed across industries (tech, finance, healthcare, government).
- Strong Salaries – Entry-level cybersecurity roles often start at $80K-$100K, with room for growth.
- Remote & Flexible Work – Many security jobs allow for remote work, unlike EE roles that may require being on-site.
- Exciting & Evolving Field – You’ll always be learning, as threats and technology change constantly.
- Potential Jobs: Cybersecurity Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Security Engineer, SOC Analyst, Penetration Tester.

Challenges:
- Requires constant upskilling (security threats evolve fast).
- Can be high-stress (defending against cyberattacks).
- Some jobs (e.g., government security roles) may require certifications like CISSP, CEH, or Security+.

Electrical Engineering (EE)
Why Choose It?
- Diverse Career Paths – Work in power systems, embedded systems, telecommunications, robotics, aerospace, automotive, or IoT.
- Strong Job Security – Engineers are always needed, especially in defense, energy, and manufacturing.
- High Earning Potential – Salaries are competitive, especially with experience.
- Potential Jobs: Power Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Circuit Designer, Telecommunications Engineer, Robotics Engineer.

🚨 Challenges:
- Requires more physics and advanced math (e.g., calculus, differential equations, circuit analysis).
- Fewer remote jobs; many roles require on-site work.
- May require a Master’s degree for specialized fields like aerospace or advanced robotics.

Which One Should You Choose?
Go for Cybersecurity if:
- You enjoy coding, problem-solving, and digital security.
- You want remote/flexible work.
- You’re interested in tech-driven, fast-paced careers.

Go for Electrical Engineering if:
- You like hardware, circuits, and building physical systems.
- You’re okay with on-site jobs (e.g., labs, manufacturing, energy plants).
- You want a broader engineering background with multiple career paths.

#A Middle Ground?
If you're interested in both hardware and software, you might consider:
- Computer Engineering – A mix of CS and EE (great for embedded systems, IoT, and robotics).
- Cyber-Physical Systems – Focuses on security for smart devices, power grids, and hardware systems.

Ultimately, if you've enjoyed CS classes since freshman year, Cybersecurity seems like the best fit. But if you like building and working with physical systems, EE could be a solid choice.
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Haiyan’s Answer

Choosing between a Computer Science degree focused on cyber security and an Electrical Engineering degree depends on several factors, including your interests, skills, and career goals.
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Brian’s Answer

I think Cyber Security is in more demand but both careers would be a good choice so I would focus on what interests and excites you the most.
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