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Wondering how to get into computer programming with no experience?
Computer Science, and like other degrees, can become your major despite being unknowledgeable with its courses and how programming works. You need to understand the mechanisms behind programming languages and binary for a good start, and an interest in the degree!
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Can You Major In Computer Science Without Experience
You can choose a major because you’re interested about the prospects it can bring when you have a degree. Since programming has been high in demand, a lot of people question if it’s all right to study it even though they have no knowledge.
If you have an interest in computer science, you can definitely major in it. Experience isn’t needed at all, just be curious and have the willingness to learn. After all, it is one of the most in-demand jobs that can offer one of the highest salaries in this modern era of technology. However, make sure, you have an interest in it other than for monetary reasons since this type of work tends to have long hours of frustration. To check whether you have a passion for it, go to a hackathon, coding meet up, or talk to someone who’s in the field. Ask them any lingering questions you have and if its a hackathon or meet up, see how they solve problems.
Your computer science major will have math classes in it. At first, I was scared of those classes since I sucked at math, however these classes give you provide you with a level of critical thinking that will aid you in understanding different data structures, languages and more. You do not need to be good at math to succeed, once you graduate, many programmers tend to still have stuff they need to look up and companies do allow you to use the internet to look for answers.
There are a LOT of challenges in this major and be prepared to retake FAILED subjects. This is one of those majors where you have a good chance of failing a lot of classes. But it’ll be worth learning, especially once you realize that the courses outside learning a programming language are all linked to the concept of computing. For example, my interest in computers gave me the drive to study complicated subjects such as Calculus, which is used in machine learning.
Other courses seem irrelevant at first glance, but they’re important in the operation of computers and digital design such as electrodynamics. Yes, computer science still has physics in it since computers operate with electricity.
As seen above, having an interest in the course, as well as being curious and willing to learn for months in programming are the major factors to consider to learn computer science despite having ZERO experience. It’s okay to fail and be frustrated, everyone does. It’s the ability to pick yourself back up and be willing to learn that will help you succeed not only with this major, but in this field.
Of course, studying computer science is not for those who are not totally into numbers and algorithms that will exercise your logical skills. As this article progresses, you will understand more about the degree’s overview. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to decide whether this major is for you or maybe it’s time to consider another one instead.
Is Computer Science A Very Hard Major?
It depends, if you’re good at math and science, comp sci may not seem difficult. If you already have a background in it with a language under your belt, it may seem a lot easier. If you’re a beginner with no experience, computer science is difficult like any other science major, but not impossible to learn. Expect to fail a lot of classes and study a lot, however this field is growing and has good job prospects.
But with enough patience, practice, going to class often, meeting the professor after hours or having a study group, it’ll be a lot easier. If you want an easier major, but want a career in the tech field, consider a degree in management information systems. You’ll have a mix of business classes and programming ones. Although it is easier, you’ll be exposed to the IT, security and digital infrastructure of the company. It is not as intense as comp sci and you can still be a programmer with it.
However keep in mind that if you want to be a developer with an MIS degree that you’ll have to put in a lot of effort after classes since there isn’t a main focus on coding. It’s a good degree to take with similar career paths if you are not good at coding, but understand it.
What Is The Hardest Class In Computer Science?
There are some complicated courses in computer science. First, there are a multitude of math courses required to be taken. Though these are minor courses and are typically few, they are proven to be complicated for those who are not gifted in math skills.
But it is not the math courses that are considered the hardest. The most complicated one for me when I majored in computer science is the courses above Discrete Mathematics, which is simple math but with some conversions like binary to decimal and/or hexadecimal (which consists of letters A-F aside from 0 to 9).
As you progress after Discrete Math, courses such as Digital Design (the course where you will learn how circuit boards work), and Automata (which is required for robotics). Keep in mind that this answer varies since we’re all different. Despite thinking a class is difficult, someone else might find it easier and vice versa. A takeaway from this is that there are many classes that are going to be hard in comp sci. And the higher level classes may be the most difficult.
Should You Major in Computer Science If You Are Bad At Math?
You need to be at least average in terms of your math skills to have an edge in this major. Though mathematical operations in computer science are not as complicated as Calculus and Trigonometry, critical thinking just like solving a math problem is required in some courses in this degree.
As for programming languages, basic math operations such as addition and subtraction are the only formulas often used. With this being said, logic is the most important skill that you need in this degree. You also need to learn the codes when studying a programming language, and how they function.
As seen with the subjects, those who hate math will find computer science as one of the hardest degrees of all time. But take note that the course is not all about complicated math problems. It is more about logic and how math variables used in a program connect to function a software, like how gears in a machine would work. If you understand the underlying meaning of the code and the goal that you’re trying to solve, it makes things a lot easier and saves you a lot of time.
What Is The Easiest Job In Computer Science
Despite the computer science degree being somewhat complicated, what I can say is that there are numerous easy entry-level jobs that you can choose from. But the easiest among them, and is typically the one that can also provide a very decent income for your family, is the web designer career.
Web designing does not require that much logic compared to web development. Web designing only requires you to work on minimal numbers, while focusing on how the website will work. You will be using very easy programming languages like HTML and CSS for this job. Knowledge in Javascript is still needed for this course, as well as the creativity to make an outstanding layout for your client, is needed as well.
Web designing also focuses on maintaining the appearance of the website, as well as providing updates to its overall look. This also required good communication skills with clients to meet their demands, too.
According to ZipRecruiter, The national avg salary of an entry level web designer is $46,466 or $22 an hr and payscale says the median salary for web design in general is $51k. Of course factors such as experienced web designers and region can increase compensation. Not bad for a job that’s way easier than creating systems for businesses.
Conclusion
If I would rate the difficulty of a computer science degree it will be a 4 out of 5. Computer science is not an easy path at all. But given the drive to learn, as well as interest in programming, it is a course worth accomplishing for your career path.
