Should I Major in Computer Science?

How to decide if a degree in computer science will lead you to the career you want

I’m in my fourth year studying Computer Science (and Engineering 🤷‍♂️), and I’m certain this was the right move for me. But is a degree in Computer Science the right path for you? Is Computer Science a good major?

For me, the decision was all but obvious once I eliminated some other career options — I love to build things, and I love to work with people. Working as a Software Engineer seems like a natural choice. The most common degree for people pursuing a career in Software Engineering is a B.S. in Computer Science, so that’s what I looked for!

Should you follow your passion?

Yes, and no. Following your passion is often dangerous, as Cal Newport argues in his book, “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.” A distinguished Professor of Computer Science and popular author, he argues that skills trump passion in the quest for work that matters.

At the most basic level, we work for money. We used to have to hunt or grow our own food, fending for all of our most basic resources. Now, most of us specialize in more specific work, like carpentry, teaching, marketing, or programming. We trade our time and skills for money, which we trade for the things we want and need. You can talk all day about doing a job because we love it, but if the paycheck stopped coming, I’d bet you’d be looking for a job you loved that payed you.

Even so, no person wants to spend a giant portion of their life slaving away doing work they hate. We gravitate towards work that fulfills us. So to answer the question “Should I major in Computer Science,” you have to answer the question, “Will this lead me to a career that is fulfilling, stable, and financially attractive?” Obviously, the answer varies — and I hope to help you find yours.

Cal Newport follows up his denial of “Follow your passion” with the assertion that in order to find work that fulfills us, we need to first acquire rare and valuable skills, something he calls “Career capital.” You need to give employers or clients a reason to trust you with autonomy and pay you well, and for that, you need a track record of success. For some…