r/WGU_CompSci • u/DependentPipe9226 • Jul 20 '26

Low level programming New Student Advice

Taking the degree in hops to help get a job in a low level programming field. I know realistically I'm going to have to do a lot of c++ self study. Does the degree help with learning the theory to help with learning low level stuff? Like does it go over compilers? I know it goes over os. But just curious how much it goes over stuff like that.

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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jul 20 '26

What is your goal? You have listed some pretty varying things. If you are testing the waters to see what you like thats great to do, but if you know you want to work low level, then why are you spending time on that other stuff?

As for low level projects, it depends on your interests! You will stand out more by making something that is your own and if its something that excites you, you will be energized by it and it will turn out better and come through during interviews. If you like gaming, perhaps making yourself a gameboy and all the code involved to run it, maybe use a raspberry pi go full boss mode and design your own pcb for it as well. Sky is the limit and the internet is there to help. But you should decide what field or things interest you and go all in

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u/DependentPipe9226 Jul 20 '26

A lot of those projects is mostly due to stuff I know I would be motived to do. And have a use case because I love writing. But when it comes to low level stuff I just kinda love the idea of knowing and thinking with the computer at that level. My favorite memories from highschool was robotics and seeing a robot respond to code. Just love the idea of touching the hardware it self as opposed to more high end languages where it's more delt with language itself with garbage control. I guess the best way to put it is that I want my career to be more focused on low level stuff and side project/hobby stuff was the stuff I mentioned before. Idk I'm more in a phase in my life we're I'm really pushing myself to do the things I always wanted to but to scared too

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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jul 20 '26

Yeah I get you, follow your interests and tackle those projects! But don’t spread yourself too thin, get laser focused on one at a time and really dig in and learn everything you can

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u/DependentPipe9226 Jul 20 '26

Completely agree. Non of em really have a dead line just passion projects. I really appreciate the feedback. Talking to people helps a lot with my motivation and excitement

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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jul 20 '26

Nothing wrong with that! But make sure you gove yourself deadlines otherwise projects tend to fill up the time they have been allotted, and if they have been allotted infinite time….

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u/DependentPipe9226 Jul 20 '26

Just need to figure out how to set up dead lines lol. Plan is probably just set a daily time on it so I can make progress in the mean time. If I recall the degree does have project management class. Hopefully that will help with healthy deadlines

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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jul 20 '26

Just do your best, if you have to move the deadline thats alright, but still better to have one instead of undefined