Why hate computer science? | Give Web Hosting

Computer Science. I love being a computer scientist. And I’ve always loved it, ever since I was a little kid. But when people ask me why I’m so excited about my field and whether they should do it too, I have to admit: It’s not for everyone. The truth is that many people who are smart and talented in other areas—such as mathematics or physics—don’t actually enjoy doing computer science work. And if you’re one of those people, this may be exactly the reason why! In fact, there are plenty of reasons why someone might hate computer science:

I hate it when people tell me, “But you’re so smart. You could be a really good computer scientist if you tried.”

I’m sure you’ve heard the word “No.” It’s a very simple word, but it can be awfully powerful. You’re probably familiar with hearing “No,” but have you ever said it?

I’m going to tell a story about someone who said no. This person had a difficult decision to make: they could choose between two equally good careers that they enjoyed equally. One path would lead them down the road of being an excellent computer scientist, while the other would lead them down the road of being an excellent artist.

Both paths were open to this person; both paths were viable options for their future career goals and financial security reasons. The only difference between these two paths was which one was considered more prestigious or better respected by society in general at that time (this is still true). In order for this person’s life not be considered wasted by society, they needed to pick one option over another—and that wasn’t going to happen!

I Hate Computer Science

I hate it when people tell me, “But you’re so smart. You could be a really good computer scientist if you tried.”

I hate it when people tell me, “You should do computer science, because you’re going to make a lot of money.”

I hate it when people tell me, “You should do software engineering, because it’s easy and doesn’t require math.”

I hate it when people tell me,”You’re wasting your potential if you don’t do computer science.”

Is A Computer Science Degree Worth It

In short, yes. As a computer science graduate, you’ll have a strong job market and plenty of opportunities. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to work in many different industries. If you’re still not convinced, here are some reasons why you might want to pursue a Computer Science degree:

The demand for computer science graduates is high—especially after the 2008 recession—and will likely continue to grow as automation continues its march across the country.
With so much demand coming from companies like Google and Facebook (not to mention countless startups), it makes sense that employers would want their offices filled with qualified candidates who can write complex algorithms and design elegant user interfaces.
With such high demand for these jobs comes higher wages; according to Glassdoor’s recent report on top-paying U.S.-based jobs within software development, average annual salaries range from $105K-$120K per year depending on experience level (junior engineers earn closer to $105K while senior engineers earn closer to $120K).

I hate it when people tell me, “You should do computer science, because you’re going to make a lot of money.”

I’m sure that there are many people who would argue with this point of view, but I assure you that I have plenty of reasons why I have made my decision not to pursue computer science. And this is one of them: money—or lack thereof—might not be the only thing that matters in life, but it’s certainly important (especially if you’re trying to get married).

Money is not the only thing that matters in life. As the old saying goes: “Money can’t buy happiness.” But what about all those things money can buy? What about all those luxuries and comforts? What about being able to afford a nice home or car? How about getting your children into good schools and providing them with adequate healthcare? Or even just having enough left over after paying bills so that you don’t have any financial stressors weighing down on your shoulders every month and making everyday tasks seem like an insurmountable challenge? All these things cost money and require living within one’s means rather than spending beyond them (which is perhaps another reason why some people think CS majoring students are irresponsible). You may feel like life wouldn’t be worth living without designer handbags from Louis Vuitton or fancy vacations around the world every few months; however, if we all lived like this then none of us would ever be able to afford such things!

I hate it when people tell me, “You should do software engineering, because it’s easy and doesn’t require math.”

If you’re thinking about a career in computer science, I want to let you know that:

Software engineering is not easy.
Software engineering does require math.
Not everyone should do software engineering. In fact, most people shouldn’t do software engineering; it’s a very specialized skill and there are other things out there for us that are more suited to our interests, skillset and personality type. For example:

I love public health and writing (I’m also a terrible programmer). And I won’t be pursuing a degree in CS because of those reasons alone!

I hate it when people tell me, “You’re wasting your potential if you don’t do computer science.”

I don’t like it when people tell me that I’m wasting my potential if I don’t do computer science.

It’s not that I don’t think computer science is a good field—it is! It’s just not for everyone, and even if it were, there are plenty of other things in life that can be fulfilling and meaningful.

I’ve also had this conversation with friends before too: “What are you going to do with your degree?” They ask, as though their career choices should somehow dictate mine—as though this degree was only ever worth getting so long as we both went into the same career field after graduation. (Spoiler alert: we didn’t.)

I hate it when people tell me, “Other people are doing what they love and loving it. Why can’t you?”

It’s not about other people. It’s about you. Who cares how your friends are doing? Who cares how much money they make or if they’re living the dream? You shouldn’t compare yourself to others like this. Find your own passion, pursue it and do whatever makes you happy because life is too short for any other outcome.

I hate it when people tell me, “What else could you possibly want to do? Computer science is the best.”

To those who say, “What else could you possibly want to do? Computer science is the best.”

I understand that you’re trying to be helpful and encouraging by telling me that my major is a good idea, but I still don’t want to hear it. It’s not your place to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t do with their lives. If a friend told you they were going into the military after graduation and wanted your advice on how to get into the best unit possible, would you be honest with them? Of course! So why not be honest about this situation? I’m sure there are plenty of other ways for me to use my degree besides being a software engineer or computer scientist (yes, there are many types of computer science.)

You can actually say no to things even if other people think they’re great.

In computer science, you can actually say no to things even if other people think they’re great. You don’t have to do what other people think is best for you, or even what they think is terrible.

You can choose to do what you think is best for yourself and your life goals, or choose to do whatever other people want (and probably pay).

I was recently asked by a family member if I would be willing to help them with their resume and cover letter because they needed “an objective opinion” on their work. My first instinct was “no” because I did not want the responsibility of having someone else’s career in my hands at that moment in time but then later realized their request could be an opportunity to reflect on how much I’ve learned about myself over the years since starting college back in 2013 when I started studying computer science as an undergrad student at UC Berkeley:

Conclusion

I know it can be hard to be different, but I want you to know that it’s okay. Computer science may not be for everyone, but there are plenty of ways to make a living and get paid well without having to take on a degree or career in this field. If you’re looking for some ideas, check out our previous blog post on jobs that don’t require a degree!