patrick.net

Either 4, 7 or 1.

Here are the course details for each of the options

My one Daughter just got her Masters in Computer Science, though she's still working at the same job she started interning at about 4 years ago.
She started out doing QA, now she's one of the lead developers. They do Email campaign and landing pages.

My other daughter just got her Bachelors in Computer Science. She's working in IT for a major construction firm, in their legal department that keeps track of Permits and leans.

Their course work was little guidance, if not for me to help them make sense of it all, they would have been one of the many people who go to college and don't do diddly with the degree. The second daughter's boyfriend got a bachelor in IT Networking. He didn't get the knack for it, now he hunts Iguanas for a bounty with his brother, as a paid critter wrangler.

I think it's a shame, that Networking, Databases, Software Engineering and Computer Systems isn't all part of the same curriculum. As to really be good at any of those, you need to understand all of those fields. If you have a grasp on all of those, someone can employ you to make AI. That AI course sounds a lot like trained end users. of ChatGPT.

TAPI, SAPI and MAPI have always been around I don't see how AI can accomplish more than a well written program using those design principals.

In the end it doesn't matter which degree he pursues, if he doesn't have a knack and the drive to excel at it. Then it will just be another dead-end boring 9 to 5 job.

Higher education is fucked. If parents have a son, I'd suggest a profitable trade: in order electrician, plumber, irrigation (planner, not installer). Until we wean ourselves of the Chicoms, we will not have a functioning country/economy. Dosen't anyone remember when kids could mow lawns for $ and learn how to keep their mowers running?

Everyone thinks we can l33t code ourselves to paradise. We're letting 10's of millions of illegals, among them MS13 drug dealers, into this country. Why not give the children of our country a chance to work with their hands for fair wages? Isn't that what built this country? Why is that a bad idea now, but not 200 years ago?

AI for money.

Formal Methods (surprised not an option) for better understanding of CS.

My CompSci degree from 30 years ago specialized in software engineering. We didn't have so many choices back then. All CS majors had to learn about computing theory, data structures, algorithms, system software, etc., which would prepare them for many technical jobs. I think all the book learnin' is important but not near as important as your internships and first jobs out of school.

"3. Computer Networking" and "5. Database Systems and Data Analytics" are, in my opinion, interesting jobs and less likely to be offshored. I wouldn't want to work in "2. Computer Graphics and Game Design" because the game industry is notorious for long hours and few vacations, though the work is interesting.

You usually don't have to pick a specialty until after you take all of the prerequisites. The student will probably figure out where they want to specialize after taking a few classes.

Database Systems or Networking.

People want the database guy within easy reach, same thing with the networking person. It's mission critical and they want that person nearby and physical if needed.

Here's an idea ... take the easiest classes possible, just to complete the degree requirements.

Then, on one's own ... study discrete math, statistics, econometrics (as an application of statistics on larger but relevant problems), general chemistry, & general biology.

That's enough of a broad base to succeed in any comp science job in several industries whether it be in finance, biotech, or just plain software development.

It doesn’t matter. Get as many coding internships as he can while taking whatever classes are easiest to finish the degree as quickly as possible with as high of a GPA as possible.

To be able to get an entry level coding job you just need a high enough gpa so that you don’t get cut in the initial stack rank, some internships with some actual things accomplished, and the ability to write decent pseudocode on the whiteboard in an interview.

No one cares what speciality you picked.

Tenpoundbass says

They do Email campaign and landing pages.

What does this mean? Sounds like marketing.

stereotomy says

Everyone thinks we can l33t code ourselves to paradise. We're letting 10's of millions of illegals, among them MS13 drug dealers, into this country. Why not give the children of our country a chance to work with their hands for fair wages? Isn't that what built this country? Why is that a bad idea now, but not 200 years ago?

There is a new plan for America. I believe it involves One World Government.

Thank you everyone for the valuable feedback. It will be put to good use by the student. Thank you very much.

I have 3 decades in the tech industry, starting from entry-level programmer and getting to CTO/Chief Architect roles, before getting out and starting my own thing.

Computer Networking or Computer Systems -- those are the ones worth going to college for. There will be (in the foreseeable 50 years) demand for people who understand these areas, but it will be like being a surgeon. You have to keep learning throughout your career and keep sharp if you want to be in demand.

Steer clear of "AI" -- there is no college course worth learning, let alone paying for, that directly claims to teach you AI. If your student is really interested in machine-learning and AI, you should advise him to go to college for applied-mathematics or statistics, and go into "AI" from that route.

"Database Systems" should not be a college program. Learning how to model your data in a schema is a valuable skill, but at best it is a couple of semesters worth of knowledge, followed by a few years of actually doing it in practice. And when it comes to creating a new database engine, that is more an application of core computer systems and algorithms.

"Software Engineering" in college is garbage. And the jobs are still being exported as fast as they can be.

GNL says

What does this mean? Sounds like marketing.

Yes Marketers are the customer.

There are 2 professionals ( apex and Onvacation) who rank Computer Networking at No. 1. How does a new undergraduate student becoming the best at Computer Networking?

apex says

Steer clear of "AI" -- there is no college course worth learning, let alone paying for, that directly claims to teach you AI. If your student is really interested in machine-learning and AI, you should advise him to go to college for applied-mathematics or statistics, and go into "AI" from that route.

Yep, that's why I put statistics and econometrics in my list of to-do coursework.

stereotomy says

Higher education is fucked

This is true, however, taking a year or two worth of classes, even if it's for audit & online (free of charge) in biology & chemistry, will prevent one for falling for the bullshit propaganda from Big Pharma. This is why I wasn't fooled for much of the time. The folks touting nonsense, didn't even "recall" their first two years of biology & chemistry.

Rin says

taking a year or two worth of classes, even if it's for audit & online (free of charge) in biology & chemistr

Also, if you're an IT person, it's good to know the lingo if you want to consult for Big Pharma.

Tenpoundbass says

GNL says

What does this mean? Sounds like marketing.

Yes Marketers are the customer.

Isn't email marketing mostly HTML?

apex says

Steer clear of "AI" -- there is no college course worth learning, let alone paying for, that directly claims to teach you AI. If your student is really interested in machine-learning and AI, you should advise him to go to college for applied-mathematics or statistics, and go into "AI" from that route.

Student is enrolled in Statistics this summer and is taking discrete mathematics currently. I have relayed this to the student. Thank you.

Is learning Rust valuable?

The local community college has the following courses. Which of these courses, if any, would be useful to the sophomore undergraduate student?

Is anyone familiar with Actuarial Science as undergraduate major? Any thoughts and recommendations for a student who loves mathematics?

gabbar says

Is anyone familiar with Actual Science as undergraduate major? Any thoughts and recommendations for a student who loves mathematics?

I'd suggest a course on encryption. I find it interesting.

See if this piques their interest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aHkqB2-46k&list=PL2jrku-ebl3H50FiEPr4erSJiJHURM9BX

It covers some common failures of encryption. It's really easy to make something you THINK is secure, which is anything but.

richwicks says

I'd suggest a course on encryption. I find it interesting.
See if this piques their interest:

Forwarded this to the student. Thank you very much.