Learning about automata theory was one of the most mind-expanding experiences I had in college. It was certainly not something I would've stumbled upon without

Learning about automata theory was one of the most mind-expanding experiences I had in college. It was certainly not something I would've stumbled upon without guidance. I believe that describes most of the value I derived from a degree, being nudged in the right directions toward solutions and problems that a lot of smart people have though about for a while. Understanding how different languages, or inputs more generally, can be transformed into meaningful outputs is pretty satisfying. It's a topic that almost seems to transcend the realm of computer science.