Computer Science: So, what's it like?
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
If you don't love physics and math, you won't survive four years of engineering school anyway, so you might as well try something else. Computer Science is far from boring and repetitive, but some jobs in the field are likely to be. But what job you select within the field is up to you. If you find yourself stuck, move along... you're very likely to have lots of options in the field, and the computer world is ever changing and dynamic, with new opportunities springing up regularly. Good luck! :-D
Will Rogers never met me.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
because I thought it would be repetitive
Every job has some dull, repetitive bits. Meetings spring to mind. As does documentation. They are important, though. The critical things are that you enjoy the rest enough to get you through the dull bits, and that you are competent enough that you don't end up doing just the dull, repetitive bits for someone else. If you feel an affinity for CS, then talk to your lecturers (both ME and IT) and see what they say. Sorry if that sound non-committal - it is - but without knowing a lot more about you and your situation I can't say "do this" or "do that"!
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
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If you don't love physics and math, you won't survive four years of engineering school anyway, so you might as well try something else. Computer Science is far from boring and repetitive, but some jobs in the field are likely to be. But what job you select within the field is up to you. If you find yourself stuck, move along... you're very likely to have lots of options in the field, and the computer world is ever changing and dynamic, with new opportunities springing up regularly. Good luck! :-D
Will Rogers never met me.
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BrownishMonstr wrote:
because I thought it would be repetitive
Every job has some dull, repetitive bits. Meetings spring to mind. As does documentation. They are important, though. The critical things are that you enjoy the rest enough to get you through the dull bits, and that you are competent enough that you don't end up doing just the dull, repetitive bits for someone else. If you feel an affinity for CS, then talk to your lecturers (both ME and IT) and see what they say. Sorry if that sound non-committal - it is - but without knowing a lot more about you and your situation I can't say "do this" or "do that"!
Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
Graduating with a ME degree doesn't mean you can't get in to software development. I've know several people with non-CS degrees in the field. Of course being a History major does not prepare you for the work as much as a CS major would. Software development does have it's dull moments, like writing documentation but I have found it far from boring. Most of the time I'm frustrated because there is so much to learn a so little time to do it.
I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt
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Graduating with a ME degree doesn't mean you can't get in to software development. I've know several people with non-CS degrees in the field. Of course being a History major does not prepare you for the work as much as a CS major would. Software development does have it's dull moments, like writing documentation but I have found it far from boring. Most of the time I'm frustrated because there is so much to learn a so little time to do it.
I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt
Mark Nischalke wrote:
Graduating with a ME degree doesn't mean you can't get in to software development.
Yeah I know, my computing tutor back in college graduated as a ME but even he suggested to me to choose CS. Only reason I didn't was because I thought it'd be boring and repetitive. It's just that I don't really feel motivated to become a ME anymore and I find myself to be much more interested in computers and technology than I do with anything to do with ME. But I did like to watch the How-it's-made series, which was another reason why I chose ME.
Hassan
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
If you think you're gong to be bored working in a field, why would you even consider choosing that for a career? I certainly couldn't stand to be miserable for 40 years of working! On the other hand, the first couple of years of most technical degrees (engineering, science, etc.) tend to require similar courses, so if you change you mind and switch majors it probably won't be wasted effort. I'd stick with what you have and find out what courses grab your attention enough that you could envision yourself working in that subject for 40 years. Then switch to a major that enables you to do it. I've been doing petroleum engineering professionally for 35 years and to me it's at least as interesting as when I graduated. I can't believe they actually pay me to do what I like. I hope you find a profession just as interesting to you!
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
If you enjoy solving puzzles and delight in the details of a process, I think you'll find a career in programming to be very rewarding. As others have pointed out, you don't necessarily need a degree in CS to work as a programmer. But you need to enjoy the work. This probably applies to any endeavour, but even more so to the craft of software development. /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
For me (who has degrees in CS and EE and has worked in the CS field since 1997) I find my job exciting although at times frustrating. As a computer scientist I will have a better than average wage but long hours without overtime and seeing doctors making 10 to 20 times what I make sometimes gets me down. Compared to the university programming tasks are 100 to 1000 times larger. I easily average 60 thousand new C++ lines per year and that is with being a network administrator, a manager and a programmer. Also even after 14 years in the industry I still learn more per year than I did for my entire 7 years ( ~300 credits ) that I spent at the University.
John
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation
I know how that feels, I was the same with Chemistry (see my profile here). I still remember the moment 17 years ago when I "snapped", during an Organic Chemistry lecture. The lecturer (with the most boring Brummie Accent I have ever heard) Explained in detail and at length how the reaction changed if the bromine group was moved one cabon atom to the left: It didn't. That is the about the only thing that I remember for two years on Chemistry. Needless to say I didn't do too well and switched to Physics, which I enjoyed much more but it took me years for my career to recover from the decision to read Chemistry.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive
Done properly, it isn't: something new is always hoving into sight.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer.
This might be a problem, it largely depends where you work, I've been pretty lucky since graduation, a stint at Accenture was the worst for long-hours, but they treated us quite well on the whole. Even at Uni, I worked into the small hours from time to time (see next paragraph). The CS courses in UK universities differ greatly. I did a "conversion" MSc at Newcastle for non-IT grads, which was hectic. That was because the MSc was pretty much the BSc condensed into 1 year (80%-90% of the compulsory courses, with two optional ones) and each course (including the dissertation) was made *slightly* harder to justify the MSc status. Topics covered on my course were: C++(OO design with c++ Emphasis), Machine Architecture, Software Engineering, Computing Environments, Requirements Analysis, Concurrency, Mathematics, Databases and Professional Issues(to keep the BCS happy, along with a horrible group project). I optionally took Artificial Intelligence & Software Project Management. The courses vary from Uni to Uni (Durham for example had courses in Human-Computer Interface design). I studied in 2001 so, they've probably got round to adding Internetified stuff etc so YMMMV. My advice is to try more programming, if you love it (especially the puzzle solving bit) then I'd consid
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BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation
I know how that feels, I was the same with Chemistry (see my profile here). I still remember the moment 17 years ago when I "snapped", during an Organic Chemistry lecture. The lecturer (with the most boring Brummie Accent I have ever heard) Explained in detail and at length how the reaction changed if the bromine group was moved one cabon atom to the left: It didn't. That is the about the only thing that I remember for two years on Chemistry. Needless to say I didn't do too well and switched to Physics, which I enjoyed much more but it took me years for my career to recover from the decision to read Chemistry.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive
Done properly, it isn't: something new is always hoving into sight.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer.
This might be a problem, it largely depends where you work, I've been pretty lucky since graduation, a stint at Accenture was the worst for long-hours, but they treated us quite well on the whole. Even at Uni, I worked into the small hours from time to time (see next paragraph). The CS courses in UK universities differ greatly. I did a "conversion" MSc at Newcastle for non-IT grads, which was hectic. That was because the MSc was pretty much the BSc condensed into 1 year (80%-90% of the compulsory courses, with two optional ones) and each course (including the dissertation) was made *slightly* harder to justify the MSc status. Topics covered on my course were: C++(OO design with c++ Emphasis), Machine Architecture, Software Engineering, Computing Environments, Requirements Analysis, Concurrency, Mathematics, Databases and Professional Issues(to keep the BCS happy, along with a horrible group project). I optionally took Artificial Intelligence & Software Project Management. The courses vary from Uni to Uni (Durham for example had courses in Human-Computer Interface design). I studied in 2001 so, they've probably got round to adding Internetified stuff etc so YMMMV. My advice is to try more programming, if you love it (especially the puzzle solving bit) then I'd consid
Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
well finish your first year and move to CS in 2nd year. First year is same generally- so you can easily move to CS in 2nd year. If you are outside UK and like to study in the UK then let me know as i know very renowned education consultant who would be happy to help you. CS is definitely challenging - you learn something new everyday but it has it's boring part like you don't interact much with clients(depends on your job mainly) and sometimes a small problem could make your life hell and that's where CP comes into place to help in such situations :).. I hope you chose the right path .. All the best.
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Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
Firstly, be sure that you are really bored with the course and not just with things in general. Then rather than ask this bunch of (what's the word I'm looking for?) you should be talking this over with your supervisor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus!
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
career path that I'd find boring, repetitive
Programming is not repetitive and boring, there are always new challenges and puzzles to solve, and if you are bored at work you can always start your own freelance programs and just program for fun and getting new challenges. That will be fun, given you love those kind of challenges.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
and am unmotivated for
That might turn your fun down. If you feel unmotivated for that then there is no point in jumping on that boat. But it seems to me that you are in a career dilemma right now. I am not sure for UK, but where I learned we were allowed to change majors in second year. The first year used all the similar courses and subjects for all the engineering majors. So if that's the same case where you study then I belive stay in Mechanical for a while and also try and learn some basic programming concepts and some programming language, try out some programs in your free time; after 5-6 months if you still find it boring and repetitive then stay in Mechanical engineering.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
BrownishMonstr wrote:
working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline
I've never had to do that and I wouldn't take any job that involved it, no one should. If developers wouldn't put up with it, management would have to stop expecting it. As has been said, you have to love it. If you love programming -- the problem solving and everything -- and do it in your spare time anyway, then you should enjoy doing it as a job. And don't judge the whole profession based on one or two job experiences. Some companies are good to work for and others aren't, keep trying. My last job was great -- I was basically the only one working on the project and I had complete freedom -- much like with school assignments. I've also worked where they specified exactly how I was to code and I had no room for creativity -- that was bad.
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I'm currently in my first year of Mechanical Engineering but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy ME after graduation. The reason I didn't pick CS, or something similar, is because I thought it would be repetitive, I'd always be working till early in the morning on a project with an impossible deadline and always on the computer. Now I'm starting to think I should have chosen the computing route. I find the 'materials and manufacturing technology' module in ME really boring but the others aren't all that bad-I somewhat enjoy science, maths and design but I only find half of the physics in them interesting. The other students also seem a lot more motivated for this career path than I do so I'm starting to doubt if I really want to do this. I like programming and enjoyed computing in college, but I really don't want to choose a career path that I'd find boring, repetitive and am unmotivated for. So, I just wanted to know-what's computer science, or a similar career, like and, typically, the course in a UK university?
Thanks, Hassan.
Computer science in Uni can be a bit dry but the employment path can be diverse and rich. Change is a constant which is why I have been doing this for a long time now. Others may not enjoy the sometimes furious pace of change and new technologies but I find it keeps me alive (and employed). It certainly pays to be a fast learner though.
Prepare to put mustard on those words, for you will soon be consuming them along with this slice of humble pie, that comes direct from the oven of shame, set at gas mark 'egg on your face'.
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Newcastle Uni or Northumbria University? Did you know that when Northumbria changed over from poly status, they actually considered calling it the Central University of Newcastle upon Tyne until they realised what that would spell out.
I'm not a stalker, I just know things. Oh by the way, you're out of milk.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
Newcastle Newcastle, the MSc was by far the best in the area at the time. At the time, the conversion course at Northumbria was really just a DB thing with enough generic Comp Sci to justify it not having a DB management type title. Sunderland (other than being Sunderland) had an emphasis on the "softer" Internet topics like how to design a pretty website and Dreamwaver. Seriously. Durham (where I did my undergrad degree) didn't lower itself to admit students to anything other than research MScs, though you can tack on an extra year to a BSc to come out with an MSci. And I didn't go to Teeside because I didn't need a skank ho' :-). I was aware about Northumbria Uni, my best mate's mother was librarian there, it was someone in the library who spotted it on the letterhead. Until I heard this, I though it was an urban myth!
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
Firstly, be sure that you are really bored with the course and not just with things in general. Then rather than ask this bunch of (what's the word I'm looking for?) you should be talking this over with your supervisor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus!
See you next Tuesday Sir?
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^]
