What is the best science field to go into in a college?

College Major? Computer Science vs. Chemical Engineering?

• This next August, I'm going to begin my Freshman year in college, and I am trying to decide on a major to pursue. I know it may seem silly to think about it this far in advance when the majority of college students are undeclared their first couple of years. However, I have narrowed down my options a good amount based off of my academic interests, so now I'd like some opinions on which direction I should go from here.. Basically..I love and am good at math. I'm finishing up a Calculus 2 class right now, and I think it's pretty cool. I gotta 36 on ACT math (and a 36 English :P) and an 800 on the SAT math. I have dabbled in programming (though I have never gone super in depth because I lose focus due to school and whatnot), and it is really fun. In general, I just really like to solve problems in a systemic and creative way. Should I pursue Chemical Engineering or Computer Science? I know computer science majors have a tremendous amount of job opportunities, and I do find the field intriguing. Despite this, I am still a bit unsure of whether or not I am "cut out" go into computer science. I haven't spent all that much time teaching myself how to program (I put emphasis on this fact because I feel that a person's interest in computers and technology can easily be gauged by how technologically savvy they are...)..but it is only because I don't have a lot of time and I only recently became super interested in it. I'm just worried that I will go into college and be way behind everyone because I am the only person who can't build software already, no matter how rudimentary it may be. Also, Computer Science doesn't sound nearly as prestigious as Chemical Engineering. Plus, my siblings and I all have a knack for science and math (sister was a Cell and Molecular Biology major), so I feel that Chemical Engineering would be a better fit for my skill set. But then again..I have read many things that say that the job market for CEs leaves much to be desired.. What do you guys think? Do any of you have experience in either of these fields? If so, tell me a little bit about what drew you to them and how happy you are with your decision. Thanks :) Also, a private email would be nice too, if you feel like putting in the time.

• Answer:

  I was in the same situation..Im an older student who went back to school after realizing I liked programming and digital circuits. In my experience there were not very many students, only a few, who had done alot of programming on their own prior to school. Many of them had built their own computers and were bigtime gamers I suppose but as far as programming we were pretty much all on the same page. So even those guys were computer nerds long before you they will on average not have much software experience. I mean there are a few that are but not enough that you are out of place. In fact, not to boast or anything but there are some total gamers and what not that I think I actually became better at programming than. You'll be fine..it's hard, just work hard and you'll learn what you need to and pretty soon you'll be slappin' down code like no other. You could do Computer Engineering, which is what I'm doing... still a ton of programming(mostly lower level "hardwarish" type of programming) and much more training in hardware(but even a lot of the hardware classes still have a programming feel to them ...hardware descriptive language, microcontrollers, etc...). It is more prestigious than CS and you can pretty much do any CS job and then some(all the hardware jobs...actually any IT job at all).