JC Denton Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hello everyone, I am a senior in college and I think I may have chosen the wrong major and wrong career path. Some of you reading this may be asking "it took you this long to figure that out?", but I actually have a good reason as to why it took me so long. I'm currently majoring in Criminal Justice, but think I should have majored in computer science instead. Over the past year, I have been teaching myself (with the aid of some very thick books lol) how to program and discovered that I find it more interesting and easier to understand than my current area of study. I really enjoy it and it's deepened my understanding of computers. I am currently taking a class in programming and I find everything easy to absorb and implement. Recently, we took a test in my programming class and I aced it without breaking a sweat. One of my cousins suggested that I should just finish up my current degree, go back to school and and get a degree in computer science. This is an attractive option for me, as I will be doing something that I am truly interested in, but I am afraid that I may disappoint my parents; they have their hearts set one me becoming a lawyer. So what do I do? Do I follow my heart and pursue a career in computer science, or do I stick with criminal justice and see where things go? I feel so lost and confused right now... J.C. Denton P.S. This is my first post on eNotAlone. Yay me!! Link to comment
pl3asehelp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Don't consider your parents here. You'll be the one slogging away at your career every day so it's very important you like it, or at least don't hate it. If you think you can afford to pay for a second degree, you should go for it. Link to comment
laninaperdida Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I think changing majors depends a lot on your lifestyle. Do you have kids? Will rent be paid? Are you in debt? If you don't finish your current program you need to have a decent security net to start another one. I Link to comment
Ilona Crow Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Why not talk to an adviser about adding a second major? If you've already started on the programming classes, it might only take you an extra year, and plenty of people these days do college for 5 years. If it would take too long as a double major, think about doing the CS as a minor. Many jobs in programming do not require a degree at all, merely competency. Generally, the degree is needed for advancement, but in that case a different degree than CS might actually be more helpful. Also consider that many lawyers have specialties, and if you did want to continue along that path, you could always specialize in cases having to do with CS. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 You're right, its important that I like what I do, not my parents. Thanks for the reply. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 I think changing majors depends a lot on your lifestyle. Do you have kids? Will rent be paid? Are you in debt? If you don't finish your current program you need to have a decent security net to start another one. I No kids, I'm living with my parents and I am not in debt. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Why not talk to an adviser about adding a second major? If you've already started on the programming classes, it might only take you an extra year, and plenty of people these days do college for 5 years. If it would take too long as a double major, think about doing the CS as a minor. Many jobs in programming do not require a degree at all, merely competency. Generally, the degree is needed for advancement, but in that case a different degree than CS might actually be more helpful. Also consider that many lawyers have specialties, and if you did want to continue along that path, you could always specialize in cases having to do with CS. This option is attractive. I checked out my school's site and they have a minor in Computer Science. Link to comment
redrose85 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Look around for internships or freelance opportunities in programming as well Link to comment
pl3asehelp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Also, I think it depends on where you plan to work. In Silicon Valley, most places want a solid CS degree or possibly math unless you already have lots of experience to make up for that. I used to live in Chicago and there nobody cares much about a CS degree - you could have an MIS (business degree with emphasis in software) degree, math, associates, certificate - basically as long as you can perform, you're good. Most of these degrees require at least up through calculus for math, which might be something to consider when thinking about a double major or minor. Math is usually way cheaper and easier at a community college and transfers so that's an attractive option too. Link to comment
Ilona Crow Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Also, I think it depends on where you plan to work. In Silicon Valley, most places want a solid CS degree or possibly math unless you already have lots of experience to make up for that. Actually I think here in Silicon Valley it's a lot more about connections than anything else. I have several friends without degrees who are very successful in CS. One thing you can do to make yourself stand out, though, is write some kind of program that you think people will want to use, (web based or as an app, doesn't matter) and offer it for free. Then when you're applying for jobs, you have something that people might even recognize on your resume. Link to comment
im_the_undead Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 follow your heart, duuuuuuuh lol my mom wants me to study law, also. no wayyy. cute smiley, btw ^.^ Link to comment
pl3asehelp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Actually I think here in Silicon Valley it's a lot more about connections than anything else. I have several friends without degrees who are very successful in CS. One thing you can do to make yourself stand out, though, is write some kind of program that you think people will want to use, (web based or as an app, doesn't matter) and offer it for free. Then when you're applying for jobs, you have something that people might even recognize on your resume. Agree with you on both points. Experience trumps all and an app demonstrates that and with connections you don't even have to interview. However, if you do interview the interviews are much harder and CS focused that the rest of the country. I'm talking like, show us how to implement a red and black tree on the whiteboard. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Wow! I'm surprised I got so many responses so quickly! This forum is awesome! I just want to thank all of you guys for giving me some great advice. I will definitely use all the advice here. The idea of creating an app to make myself an attractive candidate sounds like a good option, as I have a few ideas for really useful and fun apps. If that does not work out I guess I can use my skills to start my own business like someone here suggested. Link to comment
WhenWillILove Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Wow! I'm surprised I got so many responses so quickly! This forum is awesome! I just want to thank all of you guys for giving me some great advice. I will definitely use all the advice here. The idea of creating an app to make myself an attractive candidate sounds like a good option, as I have a few ideas for really useful and fun apps. If that does not work out I guess I can use my skills to start my own business like someone here suggested. This forum is really awesome that's why so many of us spend so much time on it, hehe. Link to comment
midnightdeirdre Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 OP, why not also pursue a Masters in Computer Programming? :strawberry: Let us know how everything goes! Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 OP, why not also pursue a Masters in Computer Programming? :strawberry: Let us know how everything goes! But I'm majoring in Criminal Justice. Can I pursue a masters in Computer Science even though I'm getting a BA in Criminal Justice? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question... Link to comment
LBP Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 But I'm majoring in Criminal Justice. Can I pursue a masters in Computer Science even though I'm getting a BA in Criminal Justice? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question... Hey man. I work in the law. If you can figure out a way to create software that will streamline a given legal process, by all means do it. There is a ton of money in the field of legal software. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hey man. I work in the law. If you can figure out a way to create software that will streamline a given legal process, by all means do it. There is a ton of money in the field of legal software. Interesting. I guess I will have to ask some of my professors (some of which are attorneys) what really sucks about the legal process and create a program that makes it better. Thanks for the tip LBP. Link to comment
BeatrixKiddo Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Since you're almost finished with this degree, why not minor in Computer Science, take pre-reqs required for a Computer Science Masters and get a masters instead? Especially if taking another major on would take just as long as getting a masters. Just something to consider. Link to comment
BeatrixKiddo Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 OP, why not also pursue a Masters in Computer Programming? Let us know how everything goes! Haha I see someone beat me to it Link to comment
JC Denton Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 Haha I see someone beat me to it Yea, somebody beat you to it lol, but it's still something to consider. Thanks for the advice. I'll look into it. Link to comment
JC Denton Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 A few of you guys asked me to keep you updated, so here is the update. I graduated from college with a BA in Criminal Justice a few months ago and told my parents how I felt and how I wanted to go back to school to do something in programming. One was excited and supported me, the other was less than enthusiastic. Anyway, if the school that I applied to accepts my application, I will be going back to school in the spring to hone my budding programming skills! I just want to thank each of you for taking the time out to read my post and provide helpful, insightful and comforting responses. God bless you all. -JC Denton Link to comment
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