What is computer science actually like?

Majors question: what is it like to go into engineering, computer science, business?

• I'm just wondering what it's like to go into those majors i list above (engineering, computer science, or computer based majors, and business). Now, I understand those are vague majors; but is engineering just like memorizing formulas and other facts on physics? Is computer science just plain out memorizing/creatively coming up with code. Lastly, what is business like. I understand there's tons of different business majors our there. What are they all like? Marketing, what is that like, what is accounting like? I know what all these majors are and what classes you need, but I don't know what you do in the classes and what core things do you need for these majors. Please help me out. I have not taking engineering/industrial tech classes. So, if you could help me out with that, that would be great! Thank you very much for your time and effort. I appreciate it if you do help me.

• Answer:

  First of all I need to warn you that no matter what major you pick, the advisor is going to put you in a bunch of hard classes at once. Also, advisors will recommend for your electives, that should be the easy blow off humanities classes, as like philosophy or some other horrible class with a messed up curve. My advice, choose your electives nicely, check grade distributions, etc, so that it will make your major's weed out classes easier. What I mean by weed out class is like physics and calculus for engineering or computer science. These you need to spend time on, and you want any humanities or gen eds to be easy. Don't ask advisor what is good, there is a reason 500 freshman are in one class, its because they just put people in there, but its not required of you. OK, now more on to your question. Engineering is for the most part memorization. Yes you may get in some sort of design class, but engineering at the entry bachelors level is more just engineering science, memorizing theories. This all helps to serve as backing for your field. Computer science, this is really applied stuff, I think almost more than engineering from the beginning. A lot of comp sci majors bust into school and already know coding really well. This isn't to say that everyone does, but most comp sci people are pretty passionate about programming and stuff, thus they may be more applied from the beginning, but I bet to get a decent grade in a class its about the same level as engineering. Marketing, well this is kinda bullshit in my opinion, but anyways, this is mostly memorizing in learning like every other major, but you may do presentations, and do projects, that really is useful information for anyone in business. Accounting is number crunching, and I think a necessary thing, but its definitely not front office work. What I recommend to you: If you go to a top school, major in anything I don't care. The school name helps a lot. Major in finance. I think this in general gives you a shot at investment banking if you can get a stellar GPA, or other wall street careers. Accounting is good skills that can take you far, even in the banking world, but I would not recommend this major. Physics is good if you like it. Comp sci has a steady income. Engineering is a steady income, but this field is no glam and you really have to enjoy this stuff. Engineering is not memorizing in practice. What do you like, money or machines? If you major in like pre-med biology this is a lot of memorization. For those guys out there that say not everything in life is memorizing, medicine is a whole lot of memorizing. You memorize from the beginning stuff so you don't kill people. If you are foregin you may have trouble getting into a us medical school, its extremely competitive for everyone, but look into it. What you are good at. Well yeah, this is a way to think about it, but really, how do you think? Also, how you think now may be more trained a different way when done with your education. Biology majors tend to read a lot, and look at massive amounts of material, like medical school. Engineers memorize what they need, seem to do the bare minimum. This is like practice, as in you need to do the least amount of work to have success and the best design, as not to spin the company's wheels. Biology majors study 24 7 and work very hard to get high gpas. Engineering you can almost study a night or 2 before, and ace an engineering exam. This is because formulas can yield all types of solutions. In a science, like biology, there are so many ways to ask multiple choice questions, in engineering, plug, chug, your done in school. Biology is about reading and precision in words, multiple choice, and what not. Computer science now is about programming, problem solving, things like that, and similar to engineering. Finance is memorizing and hanging out with people that like the drink and get woman on the weekends. This atmosphere carries on to wall street if you have the balls to network in. You need to think long and hard about what you want to do.