Should YOU Major in Computer Science? 3 Things You Need To Know First (2020)

[@AliAbbasMalik2000]

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[@lilmocorain3776]

Source: trust me bro

[@TheFootballPlaya]

Great video. Some good points here. I just want to emphasize that "you will teach yourself most of it" part. Yes, that is absolutely true. I watched a bunch of these videos before coming to school for cs, the dumb viewer lol, and still I made it here. Only to see that that is the case. My classes cover conceptual pillars of computing, not software development. The technologies companies want, I have to teach myself in addition to studying months ahead of time for whiteboarding interviews. For the people thinking of entering a cs major, I caution you with 4 questions. Ask yourself these before you commit: 1. What do you want to do? 1b If development, What kind of development? 2. How much work do you want to put inside and outside of school to get a job? 3. How do you feel about self-teaching? 4. How much do you want to make? To elaborate a little more. # 1 is important to ask because you might be the person who just generally "wants to work in tech". At which point, you should ask deeper questions. What kind of tech? Engineering? Information Technology? Software Sales? Software Development? Do you want to code as a profession? Would you like to be required to produce some n amount of code each time you work? Or do you want to work with software products that are already built and do something with them, maybe fix them up, respond to user tickets, improve their interfaces, design the look of them, sell them, etc? Your answer to this should be apparent in how you should move forward. Don't go for the cs degree if you don't want to do high-level software development, possibly data science [but plan on taking lots of math/stat & getting a masters], doing AI/ML/CV [with masters / phD potentially], or going the theoretical cs route. the "prestige" or "i'm smart because i did x degree game" is stupid. don't waste time nor $ on things you don't want to do. and don't chase the $$ either [see # 4]. # 1b if you did want to go development, what kind? The skills of a web developer are not the same skills that a firmware developer would have. You might need to consider hardware in firmware development, whereas in web, you wouldn't. This could be the difference between you choosing CS / CE / EE. All of which code. # 2 is probably the most obvious yet hidden important question to ask before going for cs. Are you the person who waits to be shown EXACTLY what to do before you do it? Or do you jump in and figure it out yourself? Are you someone who just likes to build on the fly? Or do you prefer reading / research before you do so? These are important. If you answered yes to the first and third question, I would maybe reconsider. The skills for development purposes and any career outside of theoretical cs, even then as well, will be mostly self-taught. if you want to do development and are doing cs for that, and you are the type of person who NEEDS clear and direct instruction and does not like to read/research things to 'figure' stuff out or make good design decisions, then I'd say cs&development is not for you. You will read mountains of documentation / google / and use stack overflow / and others all the time. And you will need to be kind of "self-starter" to be successful at it. This will not only be true for school but also for getting internships / jobs. You will need to do side projects (probably with technologies you taught yourself) and prepare for whiteboarding interviews, featuring very tricky algorithmic questions that require months of practice. if you already know now, "i don't wanna go through all that", then don't do cs. im telling you. # 3 this one goes with # 2, but indeed there will be MUCH self-teaching to be had in a cs degree. Between math and programming courses, sure there will be lots. But beyond the degree, you will be in a market where programming is one of the many skills you could bring to the table. technologies like languages / frameworks / libraries, etc change all the time. the language you know and have been learning for years, is changing all the time. the compatible technologies that might be used to build features are changing too. and features that have already been built in one version of a language using one version of an api / external source, are also changing and need to be updated. and there might not be people there to show you how to do something. you'll need to be comfortable with the uncomfortableness that comes with not knowing something but figuring it out somehow. and that takes a lot of self-teaching. learning / preparation/ familarization with concepts & tools/ READING!!!. All of that. Inside & outside class for matters that may or may not concern school. But just to be relevant. # 4 Lastly, be honest with this one. Given your responses, really, how much $$ would you be okay with? If I worked in a profession where the average salary was $30k, then yeah of course I would be the joker to say "I want $1 million", but in reality, it's a joke. I would know based on my skills / market, i'm not worth that much. And I might be okay with that. Depending on how much work / effort I wanted to put in, how well I already knew what I was doing, how much extracurricular learning / time i wanted to put in to stay relevant & keep my job, where I wanted to live, what my life goals were etc. We've all seen the $300k / year developer types and thought "that would be sweet if it were me", but what we don't see are the trade offs behind the scenes. We see the number and it looks nice. But behind that $300k might be a requirement that your constantly on-call, or you learn a bunch on your own all the time and no one else can really do what you do - so you also have less resources to learn from, or your responsible for some big feature and if anything goes wrong its on you, or you are a manager of developers and you have to know how to work with people. The amount of time & responsibility needed to do the job are part of what dictates that number, in addition to the rigor of learning / viability of the skillset you bring, and experience. But, still, we just see a number. So, ask yourself would you honestly be okay with that? If that meant you might not be working your chill 35-hours a week and filming videos with low-fi and chilling there drinking tea and hardly trying, but instead your working your not-so-chill 60+ hour weeks, have a lot of responsibility, and no time for anything else but work, and making $300k, is that okay with you? Do you want more time to yourself or more time with the company? Could you care less? These are the same considerations any professional has to make. It is why being a lawyer, financial manager, accountant, engineer, doctor, can pay so well. The responsibility, time, qualifications & learning necessary to do the job, give it that extra pay bump. But you might find that you don't wanna go through all that. If that's the case, its best to know there is no free lunch. This is generally how it is. Beyond how common a number like $300k might be in your area, or the equivalent of that in your area, you might find that you're not okay with all that is behind the scenes of that number. And that's fine. In fact, you might have something else you'd rather do that you're good at and requires less effort that you like, that doesn't pay as well, but still pays a salary that you're okay with. In which case, ditch the 'prestigious' degree, and do that! That sounds like a way better option. In short, go for the degree that gives you the skills you want for the career you want, that has the time/effort expectations that you agree with, for the salary that you are okay with. Aim high, but do not do so at an expense of ignoring any one of the other categories completely, unless you are absolutely sure that you're okay with that. And disregard 'prestige' or the loss of it if you do give cs a try and find something better, or find its not for you or you don't like it and drop out, you've heard "it's not for everyone" thrown around. As almost a sort of condescending prize. Do not feel ashamed. For this is not a failure, this is a victory for you and your career / life.

[@charchar5819]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much for writing this, I really appreciate it!

[@TheFootballPlaya]

@@charchar5819 No problem. Speaking from a purely job-opportunity point of view, If i were to go back in time, to the beginning of my degree, I would probably do either engineering, finance, economics, or the natural sciences & minor in cs. with most of it being self taught, i wouldnt be missing out on much. Plus, the other area would give me domain knowledge to find an application - if I wanted to go development - beyond just programming for the sake of doing so. Or it could open doors in analytics, because domain knowledge is a must. The models are needed / stats are needed, and programming is means of producing the calculations, but the interpreting & framing part is hard to master if you don't know WHY your calculations matter and WHAT they actually tell you. programming is the HOW. and that's how I'd characterize the outlook of a cs degree going into development, you'll be a HOW person. And you're WHY's and WHAT's will be catered to the development process and tools your using. But, nothing greater than that, as far seeing where else they could be applied.

[@devthakkar4815]

@@TheFootballPlaya omg thank you so much for this comment it really helped me in thinking whether i should go for a cs major as i am a high school senior and at this moment along with all the tests i need to make a decision..i think i will go and give it a shot for a cs major as all the boxes get ticked...again thanks for the comment!

[@TheFootballPlaya]

@@devthakkar4815 no problem. just be honest with yourself always. disregard prestige and social values, they will not matter much when your 40 haha. this is what you're signing up for.

[@OH-vh6vi]

Ehhh. One thing ☝🏼.. don’t tell people don’t chase the money when that’s the main reason to go to college .

[@BrotherSquid]

I am going to be attending UCSC this fall as a CS major and this video was very helpful. I love your channel!

[@collinwalh7065]

How is it going for you?

[@michaelkawwa88]

Some really high quality content, you deserve so much more subs!

[@ETYWTV]

Intro is golden!

[@Seth_Sun]

I'm starting my journey into CS major and I wish myself and everyone the best of luck. Stay positive, eventually, we'll succeed.

[@Seth_Sun]

@@AliAbbasMalik2000 Thanks man

[@alex-e7g1d]

how’s it been so far?

[@sarair.202]

I got rejected from Cal Poly Slo for CS but accepted into UC Berkeley for CS. I heard it's one of the hardest programs there. This video definitely made me feel better though. Thanks!

[@SweatySockGaming]

Hows it going? I suggest persevering

[@slitzoid]

@@SweatySockGaming what is preserving?

[@SweatySockGaming]

@@slitzoid perseverance is a word that mean when you keep trying trying for your goals and not giving up on it

[@howled0]

Berkeley is fucking awesome for CS. Congrats on you man

[@sarair.202]

damn I can’t believe I wrote this a year ago. little update: i ended up attending UC Merced on a full ride scholarship and now am a Software Developer for Lockheed Martin :,)

[@zachsheikh8077]

Nice video Ali! I’m sure this will be helpful to everyone thinking about pursuing a CS degree!

[@abdoulhamidzeba9257]

Computer Science can be very challenging especially if you have no coding experience. My first Intro to Programming class was the hardest class I have taken so far and it was taught in Python because I had no coding experience. CS develops in you a new way of thinking which is also necessary for the rest of your curriculum. It also builds on itself, everything you've learned since freshmen year will come back to you. I'm a Junior now and I'm taking Algorithms this semester, it's not fun either. You need to be disciplined.

[@notjazzberry]

Thank you! I’m deciding if I want to pick up CS as a second major alongside astrophysics. I don’t know how to program, but through my small amount of exposure, I found that coding really is interesting. This video really helped with that decision. I will definitely try out a few of the intro courses you mentioned before I officially decide. Thank you so much!

[@terrelthompson8548]

Loved the vid, funny and informational. Starting my Comp Sci first year tomorrow!

[@terrelthompson8548]

Ali Malik Thanks man! I’m excited, and nervous haha

[@mimilarbo2845]

How is it going

[@gabbyamedu1485]

How was your first year? Its already 2021

[@terryqokov6999]

Actually really enjoyed this video, was expecting it to just be like "Don't do it... unless" but it seemed very open-minded & realistic.

[@dhaloh]

5:52 lmao, she noped outta there real quick

[@booobooo1245]

Really insightful video. Thank you

[@Joseph-ql6ly]

I know they say don't do it for the money but in my life I grew up in poverty and always worried about am I going to have food to eat today or if my clothes rip will they still be good enough to wear the next day. This is why I am doing it for money and of course the more I learn the more it interests me so although I am in for the money in the long run I may have passion for it.

[@cloud-hd6nz]

same wishing the best for the both of us!

[@MIS3RY.]

Me too bro , I’m getting a late start because I was worried about having fun , getting high and just not worried about the important things . Now that I’m in my mid to late twenties working shitty jobs , I just realized that if I don’t do something I’ll end up like my parents . I do want to live pay check to pay check anymore . I’m bad at math but it’ll be one hell of a story if I make it .

[@emilyau8023]

Honestly, too many people say it's not expected to know coding right off the bat, but with my CS professors they expected me to know so much about coding without teaching it properly. Not everyone can become a good developer. You need to have the skills especially going into coding interviews. If you know for sure you're not going to be good at CS, do not do it for the money because you will flunk. Do something that is both practical and your strength. This is coming from a senior about to graduate.

[@Teedt]

The beginning of the video is straight facts 💯

[@cody7790]

This was a super informative video!

[@krave1324]

Great video my guy

[@obiajulucharles4355]

I'm confused about choosing between computer science and computer engineering.. Id. Like to get more of software engineering, web development and how it relates to hardware

[@marialeal361]

ayo bro thanks for the advice. I'm about to start college and I have very low coding experience. thanks for the encouragement

[@vlester8210]

Hello Ali, love the channel. I am a junior in high school and am very strongly considering applying to UCSC for computer science. Can you make a video about your high school stats and what you did to get a head start in computer science. Take care.

[@soulninjadev]

hey have u applied?

[@vlester8210]

@@soulninjadev I applied and got in! Will be attending in the fall.

[@soulninjadev]

@@vlester8210 POG I hope I get in too! I'll be applying next year! and am a junior rn 😂

[@هِنْدٌ-ط5و]

What is UCSC?

[@alissa3222]

@@vlester8210 omg congratulations!! btw do you have something like java script, html or css classes? I'm thinking about applying to ucsc. Can you tell me what stats you had pleaseeee

[@denzore]

Hello, I got into med school but don't like it. I would have to wait until october to enroll into CS. I didn't have advanced math classes in my high school, do you think that I have enough time to prepare for CS and on what should I mainly focus on?

[@jeuneatjoliee909]

I'm so nervous only because of the math

[@hibashamim3979]

This was actually helpful

[@anjaolsson1862]

awesome video, thank you man

[@littletath]

this was the best video

[@devthakkar4815]

nice vid over all..really helpful. Thank you

[@swordofallah8716]

Jazak Allahu Khayr

[@hamishmacky5943]

I'm looking at either CS or Accounting, wanting to do CS more but wasn't the best at school and know Accounting will be easier but don't know if ill be close to passing CS

[@Verenci]

dude In highschool I hated math but I lowkey just didn’t apply myself I wanna do cs but I’m worried about the mayh

[@Verenci]

Math*

[@______yawn6419]

and how did that go for you?

[@JustPhysix]

I am just scared of math, that's something that's stopping me from pursuing cs.

[@sxdx-8519]

im dealing with the same issue. I've sworn my whole life to never go into anything math heavy but i'm actually considering this

[@UziiTube]

@@sxdx-8519 comp sci is not that math heavy. it's just understanding computer concepts with computational math, stats, and calc 3. nothing like physics or a math degree. if you don't like numbers then don't force yourself to do comp sci.

[@JustPhysix]

@C G Oh thanks.

[@JustPhysix]

@@UziiTube It's not I don't like math, but I just don't like to spend long hours working on math, but I enjoy coding and thinking about the Computer Science degree stuff, like AI and stuff. I find that interesting.

[@olympic-ass-eater]

@@JustPhysix so what major u switch or go?

[@hershtripathi6158]

5:51 dude just peeked and froze💀

[@maxsterling9908]

Assembly should have been removed from curriculum 20 years ago. Instead of Assembly they should introduce more functional programming - like Lisp, Erland, Haskell etc etc

[@WeAretheWalrii]

No, C is the foundation of the majority of high level languages and C's heavily tied in with Assembly (It's the top language for embedded systems because of C's optimization on assembly code). Being able to disassemble a program allows you to reverse engineer it... I don't really see what the use case is of functional programming for most people tbh. Knowing how the physical machine manipulates data and executes instructions is way more informative for a CS degree.

[@itsnyanchez4882]

Best intro😂😂😂‼️

[@dushyantchaudhry4654]

is it necessary to do physics in school to join CS Undergrad in a US university?

[@dhee9040]

I want to be software developer. should I chose computer science?? or do I have any other subject which is enough for programming

[@v.f.38]

For people who want to accelerate reserch to pursue fusion reactor or cancer cure: do computer scrience. For those people who just want a job as a software engineer or want to prove they like computers and not their extraordinary uses, do Computer engineering. If you are smart, do engineering, if you truely belive in the power of computers not as a material engineer, but as a math ally, do CS. Remember: you need to belive in what you do to succeed. (Unless you are Elon Musk, then you can be better than an MBA by boasting on ideas instead of working successes (COUGH COUGH neuralink or hyperloop COUGH COUGH))

[@galaxyjumper234]

"Maybe you can pickup a minor or something" Me, living in the UK: wait a minute something ain't right 💀

[@hantu4321]

That is usa median salary in my country computer science degree pays LESS than uber driving and its not maybe physics, its basically engineering focusing on maths minus chemistry replaced by complexity theory

[@asmazainab4255]

hi I went to community college I study liberal art math and science and I transfer to a university for a business major am struggling now i want to change my major but I am confused which major should i choose

[@aneeqm5777]

Hey Ali. Just a query. Do U think a person with an average of 80% in math and phy will find CS tough?

[@honestmassery6379]

80%? Try 60% 😄😄😄 my syllabus is much harder tho

[@crmiii]

whats your opinion on the computer science: game design major at UCSC? have you heard good things or bad things about it?

[@Abdullah_313_99]

Very helpful 👌🏽 , although most of the time i was admiring the zulfiqar in the background 😂

[@hudaabdirahman6767]

Awesome! Any python suggestion website please. Thank you Ali🤗💖

[@LMQC]

thanks boss

[@mopanda5975]

What classes do you to take freshman year for cs major?

[@michaelomale1975]

Thank you very much bro for this piece...I want to read cs but am not good In mathematics should I go on!?

[@alangarcia8381]

Is it a good idea go to community college then transfer to a uc to major in cs?

[@SweatySockGaming]

Alot of ppl wish they did that

[@basicaf1484]

Great Content!!! I wonder if there is a limit to how many credits will transfer from a community college?

[@bobfreedman1432]

great video. i was just wondering if you know how good the CS department at UCI is? would you choose UCI or UCSC for CS?

[@bobfreedman1432]

Ali Malik Oh okay, thanks, I also wanted to ask how beneficial a double major with applied math and CS would be ?

[@bobfreedman1432]

Ali Malik But will it increase job prospects? Will the double major help in the long run with CS or will it not help that much?

[@JC-op7qe]

actually math is holding me back because my math really suck

[@NTRaiu]

Same, I look at my requirements for a cs degree and it involves calc 3&4 😭. I struggled with calc 1. But it takes time.

[@JC-op7qe]

@@NTRaiu but u still keep going u're are better than me cause u try to go forward and u in degree,i still thinking of getting a certificate

[@JC-op7qe]

@@NTRaiu wish u good luck

[@taric_112]

I have no problem with math but I really suck in physics, is it that important?

[@Elricsedric]

I suck at math I guess I can't go for cs

[@abbyk5860]

Can u transfer to computer science from another major at UCSC?

[@link9645]

Hey man! Can you make a vid about housing at ucsc?

[@link9645]

Ali Malik I guess just in general and maybe which ones you recommend for cs majors?

[@Hello_hi5348]

What's the job prospects for Undegrad CS Major in bay area/silicon valley given the number of IT companies

[@naveenss8598]

What are the extra stuff I need to know before choosing cs

[@joshkanyinda5569]

Sorry that I’m late to this but choose a minor that your going to enjoy or if your serious of this major, pick a math related minor.

[@alissa3222]

Do I need to take any sat subjects to get into cs major?

[@brucevayding9144]

what u think about C++ challenging

[@igetbucketz]

Now Chatgpt will help me in CS degree😂

[@azure9233]

ah shit im kinda worried cause im very bad at math...

[@olympic-ass-eater]

What are you doing now?

[@azure9233]

watching KZbin?..

[@grimmimsy7159]

assembly uses a compiler there for it is a programming language... really. Csharp is more like markup than assembly.... go back to school

[@griff5455]

Utah!

[@justinschreiber430]

What CS classes do you recommend a first year taking and how early should they sign up to get a good class/time?

[@JoeyJ25]

So basically I have to take all these math classes but I actually won’t be using it as a software engineer?!

[@akhilsenthil2680]

How can you prepare for cs at ucsc?

[@alitokii]

Thank you for these insightful videos you make! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to be admitted with my major of CS, but I was admitted with Computer Engineering and I plan to pursue the systems programmer path, do you know the difference between the cs major and computer engineering system programmer? Thank you!

[@akultyagi2818]

Ok but the real question is Can i hack Facebook with HTML???

[@Rathernot1234]

LMAOAO first 23 seconds in I got called out

[@fidgetspinner1050]

bruh why am I even watching this

[@nycto16]

Everything on the side.. if you are in Asia, just don't think of choosing computer science. It has no career here..

[@shirayukibabii]

what do you mean? if you don’t mind elaborating further...^^

[@nycto16]

@@shirayukibabii No no I don't mind.. Basically in Asia (I think except China), mostly computer related fields even whole engineering has no career... Asian countries don't have tech industry, we don't make apps, games or any other "tech" related stuff. Mostly software engineers/CS grads are jobless or less paid as compared to other professions. And best careers in Asia are Accountancy, Business and Medical (Dentistry, Medicine, Physiotherapy). And fashion design, Media is also growing career here.

[@محمدالحربي-ط9ح4ب]

I mean... over here in Saudi Arabia job opportunities are actually quite good. And in other gulf countries.

[@nycto16]

@@محمدالحربي-ط9ح4ب ohh

[@jangbusherpa6917]

@@nycto16 and corruption

[@ethanbrooks9832]

Common you know you are exaggerating here

[@dylancocoletzi7168]

How good is UCSC CS department? Do you recommend people to study there ? What courses should I take freshmen year ?

[@dylancocoletzi7168]

Have you been able to land an internship?

[@schoi1994]

5:51

[@abhinavgeorge5714]

hey bro!! love ur vids!!! inspires me soooooooo much!! got inspired and started cs and programming and even started my own channel! plzzz help and support

[@nicholasg9804]

dude do you guys go to UCSC? lol.......

[@rajaeealbahrani5435]

That really me in the first of the video that how I choose it 😂

[@pretendsushi2929]

Wow, there is some really horrible information in this video

[@kylaarunga3493]

Which one?

[@oo--7714]

Intellij Idea, fukken lol

[@xyz-wj3bk]

You look like one of my cousin. Do you have Pakistani or Bangladeshi or Indian background?