Takeaways:

No degree guarantees you a job in anything. There are a few universities whose prestige and connections/ability to reach out to pretty high-level people might help guarantee you jobs, but it's got nothing to do with your degree. It's about the connections, and to an extent how confidently you can blag your way through an interview and make your contributions to your existing side projects seem more important. (If you have connections, "coding/technical interview? Don't know her")

If you're going into research - YES. Going to uni and working on projects and doing research under CS profs still helps. Build the relations, make sure that they can write you personalised recommendation letters! Can you go on to research at companies? Yes, but again, the degree does help in those cases too. My team leader at my internship revealed that the company had a target number of research papers to publish each year, and that affects things like which conferences they aim to present at (e.g. we can make waves at country-wide/Europe-wide conferences, or North America-wide conferences, or even at associations of engineering companies, but not the IEEE. This is just a hypothetical example btw). It can affect the quality of research you get to do, so take that as you will. If that's not for you and you want to do academic research? You still need uni.

Unis are ONLY about a start. Once you get your first major computing job, it's all about the work you've done, the technical knowledge you've acquired (boy how companies would love a hire with insider knowledge...) and any ways you've demonstrated that you're a good learner. That you have learned HOW to learn. Computer science is a fast-moving industry, everything breaks, everyone needs technology or wants to integrate it into their work nowadays anyway, and save for software-for-the-sake-of-software companies, most computer science positions are within a company where you need secondary specialised knowledge. Be it in communications, hardware, medical knowledge, financial systems, psychology/graphics, telecom, whatever. You are often building solutions for specialised industries and need to show that you can learn about them enough to understand what you're building for. Demonstrate through projects, an older job, something outside of college. And after the first couple of software jobs you've been through, your degree is just the name of your university on a paper.

Unfortunately the anon is right about one thing: especially early in your career, they are looking for something computer-related on your resume. It's not specifically a CS degree. It could be courses, projects, clubs, work-study positions, internships, it doesn't matter. They're not looking for the words "B.Sc, Computer Science" though. I've seen people in computer science minors get far better positions than those in the major programs. They have more diverse knowledge that lets them work interdisciplinarily—that's a huge plus in this field! (Why? See the previous point)

That said, it's not impossible to start at a company and then try and move into computer science-related positions within it.

Last, if you are going to go into a computer science degree, please please make the best use of it! It's not just about learning how to code, it's not just about memorising some algorithms and database concepts, it's not just about learning C++, Java and Python and making a little app with some code behind it and putting it on your github and some of you all make me sick, I hate you. Learn about computer science. Learn about what it does, how it interacts with other fields. Expand your horizons a bit, it's not just about websites and apps. It's not just about AI and ML or blockchains. Learn to think about computer science differently. Don't limit how you understand the word "technology". A toaster is technology, and very efficient technology indeed! (Very user friendly, for example. It simply won't press down if it's not plugged in) A rolling ball inside a box, amazingly, is a core development of computer technology—the mouse! It's practically an application of psychology (the principle of "grouped objects move together"). One of the few advantages of going to (most) universities is that you get to take electives. Use them well!

If you've ever wondered why scholars in the past used to be known as "mathematician, astronomer, linguist and polyglot, musician, painter and philosopher", it's not because they had 48 hours a day. It's because all these fields are related. We forget that. We like to box our degrees into "computer scientist" and "engineer" and "humanities student", but really what they all are, are applied maths and observation. (I could go on about this for a looong time, but I won't here)

Use your electives well! Bring in other perspectives into your knowledge of computer science! This can of course come from life experience, but being at university is one way to get that kind of exposure at 3x the speed that life might present it to a 19 year-old. Of course, again, your primary major doesn't even have to be computer science. It's really just about demonstrating that you know how to think about things, and how to learn.

(Moral of the story: no subject is a waste of time, and knowing one, and nothing of any others, is a one-way ticket to some of the disaster tech we're seeing today)

To reiterate: especially in computer science, being a jack of all trades is a very good thing actually!

Takeaways:

No degree guarantees you a job in anything. There are a few universities whose prestige and connections/ability to reach out to pretty high-level people might help guarantee you jobs, but it's got nothing to do with your degree. It's about the connections, and to an extent how confidently you can blag your way through an interview and make your contributions to your existing side projects seem more important. (If you have connections, "coding/technical interview? Don't know her")

If you're going into research - YES. Going to uni and working on projects and doing research under CS profs still helps. Build the relations, make sure that they can write you personalised recommendation letters! Can you go on to research at companies? Yes, but again, the degree does help in those cases too. My team leader at my internship revealed that the company had a target number of research papers to publish each year, and that affects things like which conferences they aim to present at (e.g. we can make waves at country-wide/Europe-wide conferences, or North America-wide conferences, or even at associations of engineering companies, but not the IEEE. This is just a hypothetical example btw). It can affect the quality of research you get to do, so take that as you will. If that's not for you and you want to do academic research? You still need uni.

Unis are ONLY about a start. Once you get your first major computing job, it's all about the work you've done, the technical knowledge you've acquired (boy how companies would love a hire with insider knowledge...) and any ways you've demonstrated that you're a good learner. That you have learned HOW to learn. Computer science is a fast-moving industry, everything breaks, everyone needs technology or wants to integrate it into their work nowadays anyway, and save for software-for-the-sake-of-software companies, most computer science positions are within a company where you need secondary specialised knowledge. Be it in communications, hardware, medical knowledge, financial systems, psychology/graphics, telecom, whatever. You are often building solutions for specialised industries and need to show that you can learn about them enough to understand what you're building for. Demonstrate through projects, an older job, something outside of college. And after the first couple of software jobs you've been through, your degree is just the name of your university on a paper.

Unfortunately the anon is right about one thing: especially early in your career, they are looking for something computer-related on your resume. It's not specifically a CS degree. It could be courses, projects, clubs, work-study positions, internships, it doesn't matter. They're not looking for the words "B.Sc, Computer Science" though. I've seen people in computer science minors get far better positions than those in the major programs. They have more diverse knowledge that lets them work interdisciplinarily—that's a huge plus in this field! (Why? See the previous point)

That said, it's not impossible to start at a company and then try and move into computer science-related positions within it.

Last, if you are going to go into a computer science degree, please please make the best use of it! It's not just about learning how to code, it's not just about memorising some algorithms and database concepts, it's not just about learning C++, Java and Python and making a little app with some code behind it and putting it on your github and some of you all make me sick, I hate you. Learn about computer science. Learn about what it does, how it interacts with other fields. Expand your horizons a bit, it's not just about websites and apps. It's not just about AI and ML or blockchains. Learn to think about computer science differently. Don't limit how you understand the word "technology". A toaster is technology, and very efficient technology indeed! (Very user friendly, for example. It simply won't press down if it's not plugged in) A rolling ball inside a box, amazingly, is a core development of computer technology—the mouse! It's practically an application of psychology (the principle of "grouped objects move together"). One of the few advantages of going to (most) universities is that you get to take electives. Use them well!

If you've ever wondered why scholars in the past used to be known as "mathematician, astronomer, linguist and polyglot, musician, painter and philosopher", it's not because they had 48 hours a day. It's because all these fields are related. We forget that. We like to box our degrees into "computer scientist" and "engineer" and "humanities student", but really what they all are, are applied maths and observation. (I could go on about this for a looong time, but I won't here)

Use your electives well! Bring in other perspectives into your knowledge of computer science! This can of course come from life experience, but being at university is one way to get that kind of exposure at 3x the speed that life might present it to a 19 year-old. Of course, again, your primary major doesn't even have to be computer science. It's really just about demonstrating that you know how to think about things, and how to learn.

(Moral of the story: no subject is a waste of time, and knowing one, and nothing of any others, is a one-way ticket to some of the disaster tech we're seeing today)

I can confidently say that there is not one person for whom [insert field of study] is "not made", there are simply people who a system left behind by making understandable things seem confusing, refusing to explain terminology, refusing or making access to accommodations limited and difficult, to the point where the person gives up and begins a self-perpetuating cycle of "this isn't for me".

I think about my own field of computer science often. It's numbers and sand doing what you want it to do, there are no inherent mysteries to it because *we*, people, made them. But you regularly have people dropping out of the field because it appears hard, confusing and strenuous. (However, long hours and strain in CS is a separate topic we'll touch upon another day. I suspect it's not unique to computer science though)

It may not necessarily be true, but it's so easy for it to feel that way!

Someone will use the word 'token', and instantly, the last sentence spoken just lost half its meaning to you.

There's a difference between thinking about a problem, and thinking about a problem in the way a computer would. Maybe you prefer to work things out the human way and then translate that into machine thinking. Maybe that takes you a little time! Mental block is an actual, studied phenomenon in psychology. Maybe you've been looking at a problem in one way for so long that you're simply unable to think of it in a different way. Maybe you're someone who likes to learn and then do. Maybe you like to do and then learn.

There are so many different ways to approach a problem, and so many different styles and preferences. But sometimes your method takes a bit more time, and no one accounts for that. You feel like you're racing against time and everything is stacked against you.

Sometimes there are things that just Do Not Make Sense to you. Pointers need you to concentrate hard! Files and streams suck! We all know they do. Sometimes you just need someone to explain it in a non-computer way.

There are people you can reach out to that you might not even be aware of. Universities don't always make it very obvious or sometimes, even easy, to access resources. (They exist! The other side of it all is that you'd have an empty room at office hours, TAs seeing maybe 3 students in their entire session, just a lot of resources that are available, somehow not talked about enough, just sitting there idle)

All of this is a long way of saying: A C C O M M O D A T I O N S ! !

They aren't talked about enough or used enough.

Fields aren't not made for you, you aren't "not up to it", you aren't "not smart enough". They aren't accommodating your needs, and they aren't making themselves accessible or reachable enough for you to ask for the accommodations that are already in place.

My best advice? Ask for them! Send that email, contact those TAs, go to those office hours, find a study friend, talk to someone sat next to you in class.

Most of all, don't be embarrassed of asking questions. You don't appear dumb. You are there to learn! Many (most!) professors are glad to have questions, because it means you're thinking about what they're teaching you. If you feel like a question would take too long to answer during class, stay back for a bit after class and ask it separately, or if you prefer, write an email. Ask to set up an appointment. (It's enough to just go, "hi, in your lecture today you went over [x topic] and I still have a few questions about it and want to understand it better. Could I meet you at your office hours or set up an appointment to go over this?" Most of them will say yes! Some might direct you to TAs. Send them the same email, they're usually picked because they know the stuff they're hired to teach. They're literally paid for exactly this too!) There are often relevant groups, workshops, clubs etc. pertaining to these areas as well, many of them will have drop in sessions, look out for those.

Most of all I'd re-iterate, don't be embarrassed. Train yourself to think this way if it helps you, but every time you feel that hot flush coming up your face as you think of asking a question (I know I have had it...), remind yourself, you're HERE to learn! This is new stuff! Your brain is literally forming new connections as you think. You're processing new information. You're growing. If you have a question, if you have a doubt, you're doing what you were intended to do. You're interacting with your new knowledge, and you're growing!

Don't be afraid to ask for something you need (or even 'would prefer'), and remember that nothing is inherently 'not made for you'! That would be an inherently ableist mindset.

Oh hey it’s March, midterm season, and finals are round the corner. I figured this should pop up on your dashes again.

2021-06-17: Welsh Word A Day

Cwestiynu: Questioning

[ID: A coral pink background overlaid on the bottom half on the image with diagonal stripes of indigo, green, yellow, and orange. In the centre "Cwestinyu" is written with "Questioning" below it. "Welsh Word A Day" is written in an arc above the starting "C" of "Cwestinyu," and yellow rays of illustrated sunshine extend from the final "U." END ID]

—🪐 no one cares if you have the prettiest notes or the fanciest pens and notebooks. only people into stationary will ask, but most students just type their notes and go on with life

—📖 no one has it all together - absolutely no one. that includes your professors, they’re struggling with something in their lives just as you are! don’t compare yourself to what people show of themselves, it’s not the entire truth of what they’re living.

—🥀 it’s not easy to make friends from different courses if your university separates faculties in buildings, especially if they’re not close to each other. you have to attend social events to get to know different kinds of people. for me, that’s a little tough but i’ve learned that it’s important to get out of your comfort zone.

—🌞 it’s hard to hold yourself accountable when living by yourself. not just in your studies but also daily tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, etc.

—🧠 skipping lectures is too easy, specially if they’re live streamed or recorded. it’s also a vicious cycle, i don’t recommend.

—🧸 no one knows you - that’s right, no one knows if you’re the “nerdy” dude or the “quirky” student. this isn’t high school, most people won’t know you and won’t have ever hear about you if you’re not studying at a super small university or commit a huge crime lol

—🍒 on this note, you’re free to be whoever you are and/or want to be. there are people similar to you and so different from you that you’ll meet and love or realize they aren’t worth your time. you’ll learn to value your friendships and realize that if you don’t make an effort, you’ll have a hard time keeping friends because your schedules don’t match or they work after school, etc.

—🎓 it’s not impossible and it’s not a competition. no one will care how much you got on a quiz and having the very best grades doesn’t mean anything if you’re not willing to work for your future outside of academic achievements.

—📝 some days you’ll wonder if you’re going on the right path, but the thing is… there isn’t a wrong way or anything like that. you’re on your own journey and if you feel like you’re not where you’re supposed to be, re-evaluate your choices and your personal goals. don’t pressure yourself to be where society and other people tell you to go.

—🌻 it’s okay to make mistakes. actually, it’s important to make mistakes - that’s how you grow and learn more about yourself and the world. don’t worry too much about having everything figured out, just live day by day and appreciate what you have right now <3

All of this is so, so true. And especially for those of us who didn't go through the sort of elective courses process that a lot of American high schools have, it can be quite a change really, one day you're in school and your batch has done 8 hours together daily for two years, the next, you're in university and spending five lecture hours with five different sets of people. It is really hard to make friends with people you're only meeting for an hour or two a week (you don't even have a particular lecture every day like it was in school!), it makes you feel like you've spent so long sitting next to them in lectures but don't even know them, and it can feel really start to feel like you're "the classmate": everyone is finding friendships, but people only know you from a distance. It's not true though! Everyone is struggling to find their feet and friends; everyone's looking—and for this reason, the beginning of the year is a great time to talk to anyone at all! That said, it's never too late to go up and talk to people you've always wanted to talk to. Make those friends! University can sometimes be desperately lonely and anxious, but with some people by your side who are going through the exact same shit, it genuinely feels better, manageable, because there are people by your side! (I should know, I transferred in second year and had to go through this twice) There are other ways to spend time with friends too, by the way. Hang out after class. Get together and group study. Have a hobby? Find a club! Unless your university is tiny, most of them will have a wide variety of clubs, be it sports, board games, films, crafts and hobbies, whatever at all. Most of them will also let you start your own club if you don't find one you like (funding it may be a bit harder though. My friend and I pitched the Lettuce Appreciation Society before orientation week was over... we stumbled a bit over the question, 'What about this club justifies it being included in your fees?' Eh. On that note, DO go to orientation. You often make friends for life there. Worked both times for me!) Also, even if you don't have a club, you can always hang out with friends and do stuff you enjoy anyway. Most of my friends LIVE for their weekend Dungeons and Dragons club. (I joined the film club. I have no interest in films. At one point I was catching up on sleep weekly in the darkened lecture rooms. But I made friends in there who forgave my disinterest in films! I also joined the radio club, and well. As you can see, I found more than just friends there!) Another thing to note: you absolutely do not have to get drunk with someone to be considered their friend. There are a lot of universities whose big draw is that they're "party schools". Yes, a lot of people catch up with friends during these house parties, but if you're not comfortable, you don't have to do it. If you don't want to be in a party atmosphere, you don't have to do it. If you want to go and you don't want to drink/get drunk, you can choose to simply do that. If at any point, you've had enough and you want to leave, you can absolutely leave. You're in a room full of adults (well, mostly), you are allowed to make your own choices. People will more than understand. A good piece of advice a responsible adult gave me in first year was, 'the drinking is going to happen. If you've never done it before and are so inclined, you're best off doing it in a small group with people you trust rather than losing your mind in a large group'. Have fun, but do stay safe! A related point to that as well: nobody, and I mean N O B O D Y at university cares if you're "cool". There are too many people at uni, too many different classes, different majors, etc. for your "coolness" to have any effect whatsoever. You won't be king/queen/gender-neutral overlord of high school, at university. University is more akin to a small city in its vibe. Think of a city. Now think of someone trying to be king of that city. Sounds ridiculous, pointless and exhausting, doesn't it? No one's going to be the queen of Toronto.

You won't be the king of Bristol. You can't be coolest person in Chicago. There's no point in being the "coolest person" at your university, nor does such a thing exist, so don't pressure yourself into doing things you don't want to. People from every lane of life will attend your university; rich kids, poor kids, mature students, desperate climbers, people who will go home at weekends, people who will live on campus, people who will drive in from the next city, scholarship students, students from countries you can't pronounce. You're not in a race with anybody. Try and take things at your own pace. Lastly (and I say lastly because I could go on forever, university is just such an interesting point in your life! But scrolling up I lost my mind; I'll stop soon: brevity went out the window but I hope someone finds this useful anyway), know your limits! It took me like three years to realise this, but any day it is better to do four courses well than do five courses badly. Three courses well rather than four courses badly. You're paying to be there, you might as well let it benefit you.

Have fun at uni!

Things That Weren't Invented/Discovered By White People: Scientific and Mathematical Theories Edition

You’re not hungry, you’re desperately trying to stay awake