Hi, i'm a junior in high school trying to figure out what major i should take in college.
Lot's of computer-related majors deal heavily with math and science yet don't seem to have anything to do with computers.
I'm looking for a major that deals MORE with computers itself and something not so heavy in the math/sciences. I already know basic programming languages like HTML, css, XHTML, and creating my own flash websites.
This major also needs to be in-demand and with reasonable pay. I also don't want to end up with a job that would get outsourced to third-world countries.
I'd appreciate any suggestions you guys might have for me
do you have an example of which computer related majors deal with more math? as far as i know, you'll spend no more than 20~25% of your coursework in pure math/science courses for Computer Science (software) or Electrical Engineering (hardware). There are other engineering disciplines that use computing but are not based on it, like bio-medical engineering, but my guess is that you're nowhere near interested in this type of field.
The only thing you really mention are light programming scripts, so I'm gonna assume you'll be taking the software engineering route. A lot of software/IT jobs are being outsourced, but lately, it has slowed down to do the decreasing value of the dollar. it's more expensive to outsource while we're in a recession and the US Dollar is losing value internationally. But despite jobs being outsourced, tech is still alive and growing.
As for in-demand and reasonable pay, that really comes down to when you graduate. Tech should be doing all right 5~6 years from now. There's should be a high influx of new jobs as well as new grads by then. Depending on the quality of those grads, the pay might be good or bad. But in general, tech pays well enough to support a middle class lifestyle. Current grads fresh out of college earn roughly 50K USD on average. The salary should follow inflation pretty well, and if tech booms, money should be flowing. Chances of a bust are less after 2000, but there is also the danger of a deflating tech sector after such a boom.
Anyways, the tech-cycle keeps spinning. Those who can get the job done will survive the hard times and thrive in the good times. Simple as that.
Knowing how to make static websites are a good start, but there's so much more to it. If you're working with flash, get acquainted with actionscript. It should make life a bit easier once you take programming courses in college.
[edit] IT and CIS are used interchangeably among universities/colleges. Often times, schools will associate IT with engineering and CIS with the business school, but really, it's just a label.
Posted 01 April 2008 - 10:20 PM
