So you’re thinking about computer science. Maybe you’re a first-year in college discovering your passions, or a second-year thinking about your place in the workforce. Coding has become one of the world’s most in-demand skills. Most people, however, don’t have real exposure to it before college. Because of this, you might be asking yourself:
“How do I know if I'll be successful as a computer science major?” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Over the past few months, we at Edlyft have discovered something fascinating about this very common question. After interviewing hundreds of students, we realized it was not the content itself that most often steered people away from computer science, but rather their belief that they would not be "good enough” to complete the degree.
We’d constantly hear students say:
“I decided I just wasn't a ‘computer science person’.”
If I asked you to describe a “computer science person,” you’d possibly envision media’s depictions of popular genius icons and describe someone like Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates. Maybe you’d describe the person in your dorm that’s been coding since they were eight, who just seems to know so much about tech. Many people associate computer science with a gift of the mind (instead of experience) and then doubt their own ability to engage in the field.
It’s true: natural inclinations exist, and it's important to pay attention to your own strengths and abilities. However, some things like coding simply require a lot of practice.
It’s critical to not interpret lack of experience as natural lack of talent. It's this deception that convinces thousands of students that the things they try (like computer science) are just not for them. This is tragic.
What’s my point? If you think you might like computer science, commit to trying it for a year. There’s a steep learning curve, during which you might feel like you’re pretty bad at coding and require more help than everyone around you. That is normal.
You will eventually become a fluent coder and discover a way to pursue your interests using those skills. Code lives in almost every industry, field, and sector, advancing our understanding of things like glacial melt and trends in fast fashion. And the economic payoff is well worth the learning curve struggle, as CS majors can often earn 2x more than other graduates in their first job.
A great computer science major is simply a student who's ready to put in long hours and solve challenging, but fun, problems.
If this sounds like something you’re willing to sign up for, you're most of the way there.
Ready to start your coding journey? Learn more about the support Edlyft offers. Learn more