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I don't think I'm cut out for an engineering degree, I might choose CS instead, I have some questions (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 days ago by StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works to c/compsci@lemmy.ml

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So a few things to note, in mechatronics engineering, this is a rigorous course full of a blend of chemistry and physics and I have major ADHD. This course load is just too tough and I'm recently discovering that I may have to devote more time to work to be able to support myself and my partner.

So I guess my general question is would a computer science degree be worth it, I can focus on mathematics or I can focus on chemistry but I don't think I can do both. And don't get me wrong. I have some programming experience and it was quite challenging but it was less varied. I felt like I was able to keep my head above water a little bit more. What kind of focuses does a cs degree entail? How long did you spend at college say doing a full time course load, I think I can extrapolate what I would be allocating to this each semester.

Also, what is the actual work like once you graduate, is it more freelance or structured? How hard is your day to day? What is the learning like after college, how up-to-date do you need to stay with new technologies? I think this would personally be easier for me since I learned new technologies for fun. As glamorous as mechatronics seemed to me, I'm just not sure I can keep up with all of this at once.

Any other things I should consider?

I also asked this on reddit but I doubt I'll get any sort of meaningful discussion like I would with good old Lemmy, bonus points if you have ventured in both degrees and have some insight

Thanks!

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[–] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

My suggestion is you make yourself familiar with the cs course catalog. 9/10 students do not understand cs is literally the science of computation.

[–] StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 days ago

It's also worth mentioning I have a strong background in graphic design, so I had considered finishing up my art degree which is got a good chunk out of it from a previous school, but I just don't know if I can handle being poor for the rest of my life. If I recall, graphics design jobs usually top out at around 60k

[–] dr_yeti@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Does your school offer a coop program (e.g. Canada, US)? That can be a great way to transition into a job after your degree and give you a sense of what the actual work is like in your field.

Take a look at the required courses for a CS degree. Depending upon the school, they can skew towards the theoretical side. You might find computer or software engineering is more attractive. Or, with your art background, architectural engineering might be something to consider.

[–] StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago

I was doing software engineering at my old school, when I transferred they didn't have that program anymore unfortunately