>If you can’t get into a Top 14 law school or a top graduate business school, then public accounting probably provides a >better career path than computer Very much doubt it. After my degree, I started off as a software engineer. I quit the computer profession during the downturn in 2002. Retrained to be an Actuary.(An actuary is like an accountant but with harder exams, more money/respect and easier promotion in the financial world). After almost 4 years doing it I realised I was doing a painfully boring (yet stressful) job that was a bad fit for someone who liked science and computers. I have now changed back to being a software engineer and I must say I find the job A LOT more interesting. Who cares if it means I won't buy a new BMW. My friends and girlfriend even say I'm outwardly a happier person now that I'm doing a job I like again! >Computer programming is a low prestige profession. A lot of people are impressed when you tell them you do this, who cares if not everyone says "wow!". Besides, ALL Engineers have the same problem. People who work in factories drilling holes all day call themselves engineers! >As you get older, your desire to completely relearn everything decreases, so you are likely to succumb to the temptation of >staying with the familiar technology for too long. But this also keeps challenging you which prevents going stale.