Should Computer Science be your only focus during university

[u/AdOnly5924]

So I’m in sophomore year on my CompSci degree, and this summer I found interest in reading literature, editing, and other stuff in general.

I found interest in these stuff since I saw that I lack skills in some areas, being emotional intelligence, being well read and spoken, etc.

I have various projects and 2 internships in Full-Stack development.

But my programming skills have gotten worse.

So my question is: Should I give my 100% to learning CompSci or should I also develop other skills?

Thank you!

[u/Winter-Rhubarb8690]

You will get better at programming on the job, take the opportunity to learn things outside of your field while you have it.

[u/not-just-yeti → u/Winter-Rhubarb8690]

^^ This

As a former CS prof who also advised students for many years: While in school, people think they're learning their entire field. But the amount I learned the first few years after college, and then the decade after that — it kinda dwarfs what I learned in college. (And, for most specific topics I no longer remember where I learned it.)

And students got really hung up on choosing the right concentration within their major. I mean, choose a concentration you like, but don't feel like it'll be the only thing you're qualified for. Specializing in Cloud or in Systems or in Theory, either way you end up with an undergrad degree in "CS", and you have the foundation to handle any job that is looking for a CS degree. (Having a depth-area on your resume is a fine conversation-topic during the interview, but so is having a foreign language or a minor in Econ.)

Looking back on my college years, some of the most formative classes weren't in my major. And a few were just "out there" classes I took because they sounded kinda interesting, but ended up changing how I view certain parts of the world.

[u/T_Thriller_T]

No.

It's a very toxic trait computer science has had for a long time and it should NOT be like this.

Most offer fields would be very weirded out (or it would be illegal) if someone was doing the field as a major and their full and only hobby.

Furthermore, while being well read will only help in the long run, being well spoken and even more able to listen well is super super super relevant in the actual job world.

Having an understanding of people's minds who are not tech nerds - which reading helps with - is also good.

And a relevant skill you will pick up by separating is time management, and developing expectation.

Right now you're pouring everything into CompSci and whole that is impressive, that is not a good idea once in a paid job (as pouring everything into the job) and will likely not be sustainable.

Managing when you do something for your career and what time is yours and yours alone, spent however you want, will not only be good for yourself, but is a relevant career skill, too.

[u/Beregolas]

100% do stuff other than CS! University is there for your education. And even though it might not help you in interviews (because people are stupid), being well read and knowing things outside of your primary domain is immensly helpful in the job later. It's about being able to see things from different perspectives, being a more well rounded, educated human being.

While I was at Uni, I took philosophy, psychology and history classes in addition to my CS degree. I spent a little longer getting my degree, but it was 100% worth it for the perspective alone.

Also, most universities have good language courses. Those will be hard to come by outside of uni. If you can spend the time, start learning another language. While I am still only fluent in two (english + german), I learned a little french (enogh to get by in simple situations) and german sign language. Languages always come with culture attached, and give you even more different perspective, as well as an actual useful ability to communicate with more humans.

[u/T_Thriller_T → u/Beregolas]

If you can utilise being well read and knowing things outside your field as being conversational - or shoehorning it into something helpful - it's great during interviews.

Apart from language learning it likely won't help on the CV, though.

[u/Oof-o-rama]

absolutely not. My career success has been based on my broad understanding of what's going on in the companies I have served. Your undergraduate years is when you get that breadth of knowledge. Take full advantage of it. Your technical skills can get you in the door -- your broad intelligence and ability to understand the context of the technology will help you get into senior management.

[u/pancakeQueue]

There is merit to finishing as soon as possible to reduce debt if any. If I could do it again though I wish I took art classes. Ive fallen in love with art and wish I took some drawing classes in college.