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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
Since fifth grade I had wanted to be an architect. From 10th grade on when I got my own computer, the organization of it fascinated me so I enrolled as a computer science major last year at an excellent engineering/technological school. Half my friends, looking at the plans I've drawn from in elementary school, high school and college, are convinced I should be an architect but I would rather keep that a hobby I enjoy than something I have to do daily (figuring out mathematical everything about buildings/houses, I'd just rather draw the plans up!). I've had many issues before, thoroughly enjoying something until I was forced to do it, and I don't want that to happen to that hobby. I enjoy programming and there's nothing like the satisfaction of getting something to work properly AND understanding what the heck you coded to do so, but at the same time it's a very tough major and I am ironically having the most difficulty in my computer science classes out of all. Finally they introduced GUI programming (via Java applets, no less  ) this term and I got a taste for what I'd like to be doing for the rest of my life if I could - making things look nice.  Hopefully everything works out for you, David. If things are still undecided by next year I'd start worrying, but freshmen year is the time you're figuring things out and trying to decide what you want to do. Many of my friends had the same dilemma; don't worry about it this quickly into college. Good luck.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,677
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,677 |
Originally posted by 98 SE:
Finally they introduced GUI programming (via Java applets, no less ) this term and I got a taste for what I'd like to be doing for the rest of my life if I could - making things look nice.
This is a common misnomer in the CS undergraduate field. If you become a programmer, one day, chances are you won't be programming GUI's. For example, we had 10 programmers in my team at one point. 1 of those guys was the GUI guy, and the other 9, myself included, got to work on the backend code, such as network connectivity, model representation, preference setting, etc. So don't rest your laurels on being able to create a Java applet. Instead, focus on the fundamentals of programming, and pay attention in your theory classes!
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
Originally posted by jerseycat10:
This is a common misnomer in the CS undergraduate field. If you become a programmer, one day, chances are you won't be programming GUI's. For example, we had 10 programmers in my team at one point. 1 of those guys was the GUI guy, and the other 9, myself included, got to work on the backend code, such as network connectivity, model representation, preference setting, etc. So don't rest your laurels on being able to create a Java applet. Instead, focus on the fundamentals of programming, and pay attention in your theory classes!
Don't worry, I am ... if I can't program GUIs then my other dream is to have a job similar to someone I know: he is the one-and-only at a small engineering company so whatever small programs have to be made to get machinery to talk to one another there or networking problems to be alleviated, or, the most fun, explaining to mechanical engineers about computer techtalk, he is the computer god.
I am surprised that that many people prefer to program GUIs. Most of my CS friends want to go into the gaming field, and the one other wants to go into networking. I'm the only one I know that wants GUIs badly. Oh well, whatever I find I'll be satisfied so long as it pays the bills.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069 |
The only time I changed my 'major' was in High School programming classes when I realised how much I did NOT want to do that ever again. So now im a Business General in my Freshman year. Im happy with a Business degree as its fairly flexible. Im thinking I might want a minor in Civics or some political related field. I think that would be fun , but probably wont pan out. Cant hurt to try though eh? (Im in college anyway)
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,910
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,910 |
not sure when I decided but I have always wanted to major in mechanical engineering. I knew I wanted to take up engineering for a long time, I took a drafting class in hs and really liked it. I was always fairly strong in science and math, plus I like hands on work and creative thingking. how I got mechanical engineering I am not sure, I do remeber thinking everyone is doing something with computers so why not do this and be different, or soemthing like that I did have my doubts last year as i struggled with classes and some personal stuff. I thought about what I would do if I wasn't an engineer and I had thoughts about music or business or something I realized they wern't for me and that engineering was the only thing for me I do beleive that alot of this is because of my father. He is a machinist and i have spent alot of time at home helping him. Also his love for cars and my want to help out has put me were I am today. So if a child is to except the chance to do better then their parents, which parents often work and hope for, being an engineer would be a good move for me, and it is proving to be a good choice
- 95 Mystique LS - Zetec/5spd
- 99 Contour SeVT Sport - Duratec/5spd
Official NE-CEG Contour/Mustang Family
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,573
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,573 |
decided on computer science in 5th grade, when i wrote my first video game. it's still fun.
but i know lots of people switch a lot.
now officially a troll, i guess. used to have a black 96 SE, until it broke down one too many times.
now I'm hunting for a motorycle.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,709
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,709 |
Dude dont sweat it. Just take your generals and then go from there. I started thinking I wanted to be a Doctor and that put me on an all science track from the start. 2 years later I switched to Sociology and wanted to do something with Criminology. After I got past that phase I decided on a business major because it was broad and the classes I had taken from the gen ed list where pretty interesting. So now I have 2 semesters left and will be grauating with a degree in Marketing and have minors in Business Admin and Socology. The average college student doesnt graduate in 4 years so, I say who cares if you end up at school a year or two longer than expected if you get the job you want. I would rather spend another 4 years at school to work at something I would enjoy than be miserable the rest of my life. Always remember if you get a degree and get out into the field and dont like it you can always get a masters in something else. Good luck in your search and relax it will come to you. -Doug
Originally posted by Chickens:
Religion can't do much for ashholes (unless you are an alterboy)
98.5 Se w/SVT mods
98 E0 SVT~ sold
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840 |
MS in Journalism. Then it's off to a car magazine where I can get paid to drive and write about cars all day. 
Troll. 1997 VW Jetta MkIII GLS 5spd
All hail my appearance on CEG!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069 |
Originally posted by svt_contour_r203:
MS in Journalism. Then it's off to a car magazine where I can get paid to drive and write about cars all day.
I always thought that job would be cool , but honestly how many openings will there be in a car magazine? And how often will you be driving cars instead of writing about them?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,228
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,228 |
Originally posted by DimitriPopov:
Originally posted by svt_contour_r203:
MS in Journalism. Then it's off to a car magazine where I can get paid to drive and write about cars all day.
I always thought that job would be cool , but honestly how many openings will there be in a car magazine? And how often will you be driving cars instead of writing about them?
Many if not most car mag journalist are Mechanical Engineers rather than journalism majors. A BSME and a minor in journalism would seem a more appropriate path. Of course, be careful what you wish for, you may end up testing Hyundais all day! 
My name is Richard. I was a Contouraholic.
NOW: '02 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport, Black
BEFORE: '99 Contour SE Sport
Duratec ATX Spruce Green
PIAA 510's, Foglight MOD, K&N Drop-in
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