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Computer Science, a popular college major, has one of the highest unemployment rates
(www.newsweek.com)
this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2025
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I'm halfway through my bachelor's CE, but really thinking about dropping and doing a trade instead.
I'm probably going to cop a few downvotes for this, but in my whole career the only software engineers I ever met who were worth a damn were people who loved it for its own sake, and would be doing it regardless. So, if your feelings about the field are such that you're thinking you might be better off doing a trade, you'd definitely be better off doing a trade.
Good luck either way.
If there's no hope for getting a job, it doesn't mean they're not passionate.
It's really not like that, programmers will always be extremely sought after. Just not bad programmers that haven't really coded anything yet. Those are in quite an abundance. After giving the thirtieth intern a try and some lessons, it starts to feel hopeless when they turn in something that is using divisors on tick to solve a problem the engine already does and doesn't notice the cpu cap because they are on a monster beefy developer station
The most important aspect is motivation to improve and do cool shit. That can, also, be said about a lot of professions. The best thing you can do is to find what is most interesting to you and spend at least a few hours a week learning about it or engaging with it. It could be new features of a language you know, a programming methodology that is new to you, learning about/contributing to a FOSS project you like, or anything else.
School and work will almost definitely force you to engage with the parts of development you don't like, as well will give you an opportunity to engage with the parts of development you do like. It's on you to keep yourself engaged and improving in your skills.
Don’t. Just finish it and join an electrical union with your math skills. After you complete your degree. I went into electrical after getting laid off from a malware defense software oem. Get your degree. It carries you further than without it. You can always join the Electrician union nearest you right after you graduate. Check for their sign up times for the year.
I've never met anyone in the broadly tech fields (and I've been through quite a span of them) who regrets completing an even somewhat relevant degree. I've met, many, many people who lament not starting or finishing one (and many of these were very competent, capable people, good at their jobs).
It's expensive and difficult, sure was for me, but it is very useful (and the learning is fantastic too if you do it right).
Can’t agree more.
CE is neat because most companies will treat you as if you had a CS or EE degree. Can always pivot to HW or FPGA
Even if you don't get a CS job you should still get your degree anyway, it will make getting other jobs easier. A degree is better than no degree.
Might not be the best use of that time and tuition money though
I've never met anyone who regretted getting their degree.
I have met people who regretted not getting one because it closed doors for them (including talented people who were otherwise doing well at their jobs) so if someone is really going to forgo their degree, they should acknowledge it's a risk.
I don't necessarily regret getting a degree, but I would have perhaps focused on a more in-demand degree if I knew how the economy was going to change.
✋ Now you have.
Hi there, now you have my curiosity.
Which degree was it, why do you regret getting it?
Computer Systems Tech with honours and a Computer Sci advanced degree with honours.
I would have been better off just working, my 3 years in school (including being on the board of governors and student union) was a waste of time and money. Not saying school is always a bad choice but watching people who drop out of high school make double your income from working in retail (since oddly there is potential upwards movement) once you do get a job in the industry feels bad. Then continues to feel bad when you bust your ass off for no advancement or additional pay while those same people are now working less then 4 hours a day in a middle management position. Then it gets downright frustrating when you have been in the industry for over a decade and shopped around to find out all the companies are shit and when you realize you have made a poor choice in career those same drop outs are entering into lower executive roles while being paid to take college courses (I have 3 examples of this sadly) and telling you that you should "go to school and get an education".
And to see the money being made in oil and gas.... or some of the trades?! Urgh, I should have just started my own buisness instead of going to school. I had the same skills before and after I graduated anyway.
I don't think going to school prevents you from transitioning into a management role, nor does it seem to have prevented you from obtaining a career in the industry.
I don't think it's necessarily fair to blame your degree for a lack of management positions, you could always transition into management like others have done. I don't think those others got hired into management specifically because they didn't have a degree, or because they were high school dropouts. It's entirely possible they only got into their roles through nepotism, which would have nothing to do with a degree or a lack of a degree anyway.
With that said, yeah, the money being made in the trades by business owners... yeah, that would have been nice, but even then there's no guarantees that everyone can start their own successful business and make well into 6 figures and beyond.