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As a high school student, how do I know if computer science is the right college major for me?

I'm a 16 year old rising high school senior, and I've been learning how to code in my free time for the past year or so. I've decided that I want to study computer science in college, but I'm still not entirely sure about my decision.

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Joseph’s Answer

Great question and easy answer. I went to my first college and majored in Physical Education because I loved sports. Didn't work out well to much partying. Decided to attend another college in my hometown and majored in Computer science and for some reason it was easy and enjoyable. I loved the decision making and fix and resolve part of coding. Results was an adrenalin rush and rewarding.

Long story I graduated and worked for the government then attended evening school to get a BS degree in Management Information Systems. After more than 20yrs I am now challenging myself with AI.

So, what I am saying is if you find being a result and challenging oriented person then you have found your subject matter. The choice has already been made for you so enjoy.
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sneha’s Answer

here are some suggestions-
1. Try some freelance projects, they may be paid or unpaid but this will give you very useful insights into how computer science degree is applied in real-world.
2. You said you were learning to code in free time, but a full-time job in computer science also calls for a lot of other requirements (brainstorming on architecture, systems design, QA, DevOps, UI etc,) check and see if that is something you look forward to doing in your daily life.
3. Apply to internships, they may be unpaid for people without a CS degree yet, but you will get a idea how your future might look like after you graduate.
4. Participate in hackathons, they're held everywhere around the world for people from all ages and backgrounds, this high-paced environment will introduce you to some real-world problems that can be solved using CS.
Good luck! :)
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Praveen’s Answer

Determining whether computer science is the ideal major for you requires an evaluation of your interests, abilities, and career aspirations. Here's a straightforward guide to help you decide if computer science is suitable for you:

1. Discover Your Interests: Consider if you enjoy interacting with computers, logically solving problems, and understanding technology. If these areas naturally appeal to you, computer science could be a great choice.

2. Enroll in Relevant Classes: If your high school provides computer science or programming classes, think about enrolling. These classes can help you measure your interest and talent in the field.

3. Get Involved in Coding Activities: Participate in coding clubs, go to hackathons, or take part in online coding contests to see if you find programming and problem-solving enjoyable.

4. Investigate Career Options: Research the different career opportunities in computer science, such as software creation, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and others. Check if any of these match your interests and ambitions.

5. Study College Curriculum: Investigate the computer science curriculum at various colleges and universities. Examine the courses provided, faculty qualifications, research possibilities, and extracurricular activities related to computer science.

6. Evaluate Your Abilities: Identify your strong and weak points. While good math and analytical skills are useful for computer science, creativity, determination, and teamwork skills are also crucial.

7. Ask For Advice: Consult with computer science teachers, academic advisors, industry professionals, and college admissions counselors to get insights and recommendations.

8. Try Out Programming: Experiment with different programming languages and projects to identify which areas of computer science you find most enjoyable.

9. Look for Internship Opportunities: Search for internships or job shadowing opportunities in the tech industry to gain practical experience and understand what a career in computer science involves.

10. Trust Your Gut: In the end, trust your gut and select a major that matches your interests, values, and long-term goals. Remember, it's perfectly fine to change your major if you realize computer science isn't the right fit after more exploration.
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Daniel’s Answer

It's truly wonderful that you're keeping an open mind regarding the degree you'd like to pursue in college. The fact that you've already dipped your toes into coding will definitely give you an edge if you decide to major in computer science.

How have you found your coding journey so far? Has it sparked joy and curiosity in you? Would you be keen on deepening your understanding and skill set in coding? Perhaps there are other areas beyond coding, like software development or testing equipment, that have piqued your interest?

One of the great things about a computer science degree is its flexibility. You're not confined to a single specialization. You could explore roles such as a software engineer, hardware engineer, QA (Testing or Quality Assurance), Data Analytics Engineer, or Technical Support Engineer.

And remember, as a freshman, you're also free to explore courses outside of the computer science realm to discover other potential passions. Best of luck to you!
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Shelia’s Answer

Hello Amatullah,

It's fantastic to see your interest in computer science! This field is a vast ocean of opportunities, with exciting areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, robotics, data science, and cybersecurity. The fact that you've taken the first step to learn coding is truly commendable.

Now, let's dig a bit deeper. What sparked your interest to learn coding? What aspects of coding do you find intriguing? Does your high school provide any computer science courses? If so, I'd recommend giving it a shot to explore what you enjoy about it.

Also, consider expanding your horizons by participating in various math and science clubs. This will not only pique your curiosity but also help you discover what truly fascinates you. Interacting with fellow enthusiasts will offer you a plethora of perspectives and options to ponder upon. So, dive in and enjoy the journey!
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Mohsin’s Answer

Well if you are good in maths and problem solving then it's a good path to consider.

In computer science we have to solve lots of problem, errors, maintain the quality of products and as well as it's performance.

It requires consistency, determination and focus.

If you think you are good in them you are good to go.

You can also try some basic programming course to test yourself either you can do that or not.

Wish you all the best.
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