Is Computer Science Dying

re: Is Computer Science Dying

John Larson — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:23:51 GMT

Let me assure computer science is alive and well. As an embedded systems programmer I can see no end to career development opportunities for anyone wishing to invest the time. Micro processors exist in everything today from cars to rockets, from every form of entertainment device from IPOD's to PS3s, everday boring things like air conditioners, elevators, CD, DVD players, cell phones, TVs, refrigerators and micro wave ovens have a little tiny "brain" - that needs software. BTW I graduated in 1979 with a BSEE degree because I hated "programming" - my first real job was writing software for a company that made machines to make glass containers. My boss told me that BSEE is OK but software is what makes the world go round - he was right.

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Mehrdad — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:28:54 GMT

I think one reason computer science enrollment is down because it is a very fast moving filed and usually the education in the universities for computer is really screwed up! You have outdated instructors who themselves do not know about the real needs of computer industry. Unfortunately the main trend in universities is to hire pure academic people. But the fact is computer science also involves a lot of engineering, and to teach that, there should be more emphasize in universities for getting help from active industry people to transfer the engineering knowledge. If you look at the current status, big companies are mostly doing their research not through universities, but rather through smaller companies and startups. With this trend, the same will go for training and education. So, I agree it is an image problem, but it is also an education problem. When I compare what I was taught 10 years ago and what are the new kids being taught in the university, I see the new education system is pathetic!

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Petey — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:11:21 GMT

To the guy above thinking about CompSci as a Major.

Dude trust me when I say this: your evaluation of the current situation in outsourcing is seriously flawed. Yes there are programmers in different parts of the world. But this is not something you should be worried about.

I think companies are starting to learn that you lose quality and time when you outsource a project. Not everything can be outsourced!

There are many, MANY skilled people who make a good living working in CompSci related jobs. I can attest to this: I've been out of college for four years and I'm in the ballpark of 90K + benefits. The promise of CompSci was that you could make more in terms of salary when you graduated. It was the promise when I first started college back in 2000, and it has come through for me.

Besides, when choosing college degrees, your main focus should be whether you love the course. It seems that you do, so go with it.

Finally, less compsci grads means less competition for me. That's how I look at it. The future looks great!

Why Worry?

Clinton — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:47:35 GMT

China and India have you covered. I've worked with teams of both, and have had fun in each case. Some of the best developers I've worked with are Chinese and Indian.

If my fellow "white people" are too proud to do it, and too afraid to risk being a "nerd", then so be it. More work for our Asian friends.

As for the image problem, I disagree. I would not have minded being either of the lead characters in Hackers or Antitrust.

Cheers!

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Kris Brixon — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:52:57 GMT

Computer Science degrees are down, but interest in computers is not. 20 years ago, a degree with computers required a CS degree. Today, a degree with computers can mean CS or CIS or MIS or SE or various other flavors. The computer field is so broad that one degree does not fit all.

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Ben Chun — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:14:39 GMT

This is definitely a topic on a lot of minds:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/about-google-education-summit.html

Note especially the presentations in the panel called "Addressing enrollment declines and increasing participation by underrepresented groups in CS"

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Tim — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:44:10 GMT

Hey, I like your blog. I found it when I use to to think of pursuing compsci, still read it today and I thought I might give some input into this. In gr10 when I was thinking about what I wanted to do as a career , the main thing that really made compsci totally unattractive was the thought of 1000's of other kids in china and india that want to be programmers too. I used to pursue compsci even though I was aware of this image from my parents

which compsci they looked down on but eventually I became convinced after reading about many unhappy programmers, other people's opinions including the book the world is flat. Being a compsci teacher sounds nice though, it's one of my options.

To be Short What I don't like about Compsci

- outsourcing scares me, bad job security

- thousands of other kids in india and china

- low pay ( unless you're a genius programmer)

- to become a good/great programmer takes lots of time and practice (10 years) and afraid of burnout

- there are lots of other more capable kids online/offline, some who start at 4 and younger

- it's even worse if you're a mediocre programmer

- on all of the compsci contests lots of patels, and chens, basically fierce competition

-how much can you stand sitting in front of a computer?

I love compsci. Compsci is fun. It's fun problem solving but compsci is too competitive especially if you live in developed country.

re: Is Computer Science Dying

Corvida — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:00:47 GMT

Oh it's definitely changing and a lot of students at my university are taking it in their majors too, even though the classes may not be directly related to their field.

For me, I switched out of Computer Science because Math isn't my strongest suit and everytime I drop a Math class, I become an entire semester behind in my major. Too many math requirements and the teachers really turned me off as far as their teaching skills.

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