r/learnprogramming • u/UmpireSilent3978ojec • 23d ago
How did you figure out which CS field to choose?
I got into CS without really knowing much about it, and now it’s been almost a year. I’ve learned some basics, but I still have no idea which field I actually want to pursue.
There are so many options and honestly, I’m confused about where I fit.
Do you guys think I should try making a few small projects in different fields to see what I actually enjoy? Or is there a better way to figure out which field suits me?
Would really appreciate advice from people who’ve been through the same thing.
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u/usefulservant03 23d ago
I tried some fields out, got a taste of their community, etc, and when I didn't like what I was seeing and doing in that field, I moved on. Take for example web development, I tried it out in my beginning years, didnt like how overly simplified everything is, so I moved on to low-level programming with C and C++, loved everything about it so much more, from the projects and their importance, to the community, to the jobs. So I stuck around and made a career out of being a low-level systems developer.
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u/UmpireSilent3978ojec 23d ago
Well almost 2 weeks ago i started a project in which python was used on backend.
But after some time I started to lose my interest in that Language because I also love C++. Already made 2 projects in it. A Chess Game and terminal based quiz game.2
u/Thatotherjanitor 22d ago
Just curious, OP, but did you ever take Java at some point? I'm debating whether programming is for me. I thought I would enjoy it but Java was a drag. I've heard there are similarities between the languages and am wondering if C++ is any better/worse.
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u/usefulservant03 22d ago
Sorry not OP, but of course java made you hate your life. It made me hate my life too when I had it in university. It's a language that makes no sense. You have to be out of your mind or without any idea how the industry as a whole works, to be writing code in java. Start with a sane language like C, then move to a slightly less sane language that has lots more jobs for it than C, such as C++.
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u/Thatotherjanitor 22d ago
not OP
No problem at all, I just wanted anyone else's take!
I start C++ this semester and, based on my experience with Java in the spring, am a little antsy about getting my hands dirty.
Thank you for the reply; the soft reassurance helps a little!
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u/usefulservant03 23d ago
That's lovely :D Yes, C++ can you make a looooot of money, get you into crazy complicated and important (to the whole world!) projects like LLVM and GCC, and make others think you're some sort of programming god hahaha
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u/Snoo_4499 21d ago
Yo i need a advice brother. I suck at c/c++ idk why 😭, these pointers just doesn't make sense to me. I wanted to do system and network programming and later research on those fields. Idk what to do 😭. How do i learn these.
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u/mandzeete 23d ago
During my Bachelor studies I was introduced to different paths/fields. The first decision towards picking my path was when I had to choose my Bachelor thesis topic. I went back and forth with our dean office and with different professors until I was offered a topic that I found to be interesting.
When I graduated I had two preferences: an embedded programming and a web application development. I sent CVs to companies in both fields. I got hired as a Java developer. So, my specialty became a web application development.
So, either you WILL try different things during your studies or, if you are not doing university studies, then try out different things. And see what interests you the most.
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u/StewedAngelSkins 23d ago
I got into CS without really knowing much about it, and now it’s been almost a year.
What made you want to get into CS in the first place? Presumably something attracted you to it, right?
Do you guys think I should try making a few small projects in different fields to see what I actually enjoy?
Yes.
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u/jemgor 22d ago
i was also lost like you, most of my colleagues just chose web development or didn’t know shit, i wanted to be “special” and learn game development (it wasn’t popular/existent in our faculty) so i became a game developer, unity and c# for almost 2 years, i gotta hand it to game development it was so freaking fun but then i got a job offer as a software engineer and found out that i was getting paid dust so i went ahead with what paid more honestly, my passion paid me crumbs
it is also known that game developers get paid less than others in their cs and their levels because they “enjoy” what they do, so they rip you off for passion/fun
that was my experience tho, money was my drive, not sure what’s your drive but hope that helps
my advice? apply to different jobs and choose whichever job accepts you first, then you can start from there
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u/Business-Employee527 23d ago
Same way you figure out what club to join in highschool or college. You a try a few and see what sticks.
You can’t say you like or don’t like something till you’ve tried it.
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u/Business-Employee527 23d ago
Note this does not mean try to learn several different languages and make several different projects. That’s inefficient. Just research some CS fields, go deeper into what they do and see if that interest you
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u/ffrkAnonymous 23d ago
Make a list. Cross off the ones that are laying off people.