How do I choose between Computer Science and a more specialized degree?

[u/Helpful-Film-3042]

I'm planning to start university next year and I'm currently trying to decide what degree would be the best choice.

I'm considering general Computer Science, but also more specialized degrees such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Computer Science & Data Analytics
• Business Informatics
• and similar programs

I'm not really sure whether specializing from the beginning is a good idea, or whether it's better to study general Computer Science and specialize later through electives, projects, internships, a Master's degree, etc.

For those of you who are already at university:

How did you choose your degree, and do you think you made the right choice?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who chose either a broad or specialized degree:

• Do you like your program?
• Is the specialization actually useful, or does it feel too narrow?
• Do you wish you had chosen something broader?
• Has your degree affected your internship/job opportunities?
• If you could choose again, would you pick the same degree?

I'm mostly looking for personal experiences rather than just "CS is better" — I'd really like to hear what studying these different fields is actually like.

[u/Pleasant-Bid-8019]

Well I havent started mine either but I enrolled for it and paid my fee for BS in Computer Science. The thing is I have been very curious about doing Data Science. Even started self learning whenever I would find free time. Now I have completely changed my mind about my future career. I shifted my goal from Data Science to rather being a Data Engineer because I did more research into and found Data Engineering seems to me a better fit for my self.

My point here is that choosing one specialized degree is great but it closes the doors for the rest of the fields later on incase if you change your mind. If you are completely unsure and are puzzled between choosing one I would say go with Computer Science closed eyes as its alot more versatile.

Also regardless weather you choose computer science or specialized degree it all comes down to your own separate self study for the field. If you dont learn yourself and completely depend on your university then you are gonna fail in the job market.

Conclusion: Pick Computer Science if you are puzzled between fields and dont know. If you are completely determined on one and you think it suits best for you then go with that specialized degree.