College major advice

From: Dave Sill (extropians@dave.sill.org)
Date: Sun Mar 31 2002 - 10:10:24 MST


My son, Andy, is currently a sophomore computer science major at a
local state univeristy with a good reputation in CS. He clearly has an
aptitude for computers, but has decided that he thinks its more of a
hobby than a profession. I couldn't pin him down on why he thinks
that, but the decision has been made. So, we're shopping for a new
major.

He likes the idea of being able to see his work directly helping
people.

He's into future tech like augmentation and nanotech.

He's not hung up on earning big bucks, but wants something with a
strong job market.

He's thought about law, but he doesn't really have a good idea of
what's involved educationally, and he doesn't like either the
high-priced-law-firm scene or the public-defender-who-might-have-to-
defend-a-guilty-client scene. I don't know enough about it to help him
decide, but I think he's got a good mind for the field.

It may take a crowbar under his ass to get him to leave his current
school since he's got a comfortable group of friends, some of which
were high school buddies.

I question his ability--at this point--to stick with anything through
an advanced degree, so something that would be usable/marketable with
an undergraduate degree, but with room for expansion later, perhaps,
might be best.

I'm thinking something like biotech might be good, but I don't know
much about it.

Discussion on the list is fine, but he's not subscribed, so if you
want to talk to him directly either tell me to forward it to him or
ask me privately for his address.

Thanks,

-Dave



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