4 ms·

Computer science major is cool again, college enrollments up 8%

13 points by iamelgringo 18y ago

biohacker42 18y ago
Repeat after me, more programmers is not the same thing as better programmers.
- sqs 18y ago
  On balance, though, I think it's better to have more people trained in CS rather than fewer. Most of these people won't become programmers, but they will apply CS ideas to their own professions.
- jfornear 18y ago
  CS != programming
rayvega 18y ago
An important question is whether the retention rate will sustain along with the rise of enrollment. I'd be wary of the motivation of those now suddenly deciding to pursue a CS degree who in a different economic climate would have chosen a different path (e.g. investment banking, financial services, etc.) I have a suspicion that these folks that do follow through with getting a CS degree are really grooming themselves to hold positions in tech management versus jobs that involve actual coding and engineering. We saw the reverse effect at the end of the dot com era. Those that had no real passion for technology dropped out leaving those who truly care about the craft of programming to remain and to innovate.
- jacoblyles 18y ago
  A CS degree is hard. What does a fad CS major do when he runs into the compilers or OS class? If I were looking for a relatively easy way to make money while setting myself up for future management opportunities then I'd study accounting, personally.
  - madmanslitany 18y ago
    Valid point, but people who are just in it for the economics might go for what's classed as an information science or management of information systems degree, which are usually viewed as easier than the mainline computer science degrees.
eli 18y ago
The raw number of comp sci majors is up 8%. That doesn't mean comp sci is "cool again." There are more people going back to school -- enrollment is up across the board.
nazgulnarsil 18y ago
so...we using "cool" for economically competitive now?
k0n2ad 18y ago
Computer science was never cool. I personally think that's cool.
CWuestefeld 18y ago
"the popularity of computer science majors among college freshmen and sophomores is because IT has better job prospects than other specialties, especially in light of the global economic downturn." An old joke: - Scientists learn to ask "why does that work?". - Engineers learn to ask "how does that work?". - Accountants learn to ask "how much does it cost?". - Liberal arts majors learn to ask "do you want fries with that?". So yes, maybe economic necessity is driving here.

13 points by iamelgringo 18y ago

biohacker42 18y ago

Repeat after me, more programmers is not the same thing as better programmers.

sqs 18y ago
On balance, though, I think it's better to have more people trained in CS rather than fewer. Most of these people won't become programmers, but they will apply CS ideas to their own professions.
jfornear 18y ago
CS != programming

rayvega 18y ago

An important question is whether the retention rate will sustain along with the rise of enrollment. I'd be wary of the motivation of those now suddenly deciding to pursue a CS degree who in a different economic climate would have chosen a different path (e.g. investment banking, financial services, etc.) I have a suspicion that these folks that do follow through with getting a CS degree are really grooming themselves to hold positions in tech management versus jobs that involve actual coding and engineering. We saw the reverse effect at the end of the dot com era. Those that had no real passion for technology dropped out leaving those who truly care about the craft of programming to remain and to innovate.

jacoblyles 18y ago
A CS degree is hard. What does a fad CS major do when he runs into the compilers or OS class? If I were looking for a relatively easy way to make money while setting myself up for future management opportunities then I'd study accounting, personally.
- madmanslitany 18y ago
  Valid point, but people who are just in it for the economics might go for what's classed as an information science or management of information systems degree, which are usually viewed as easier than the mainline computer science degrees.

eli 18y ago

The raw number of comp sci majors is up 8%. That doesn't mean comp sci is "cool again." There are more people going back to school -- enrollment is up across the board.

nazgulnarsil 18y ago

so...we using "cool" for economically competitive now?

k0n2ad 18y ago

Computer science was never cool. I personally think that's cool.

CWuestefeld 18y ago

"the popularity of computer science majors among college freshmen and sophomores is because IT has better job prospects than other specialties, especially in light of the global economic downturn." An old joke: - Scientists learn to ask "why does that work?". - Engineers learn to ask "how does that work?". - Accountants learn to ask "how much does it cost?". - Liberal arts majors learn to ask "do you want fries with that?". So yes, maybe economic necessity is driving here.