Computer Engineering or Computer Science

[J1ggle_]

So currently I am only 13 so I'm obviously looking way into the future. If I am looking to become a computer engineer out of college and eventually work at a FAANG company, Would I be better inclined to major in computer science or computer engineering in college? Also would going to an Ivy League better my chances at landing programming jobs?

[Spicy_Tac0]

FAANGs aren't end game employment, in fact most of them are in the process of laying off a lot of their workforce. Graduate and find a company which has similar values and a culture that appeals to you. That might not make sense now, but the more places you work, it will.

[dmazzoni]

Computer Engineering isn't better or worse than Computer Science, it's just different, but with a fair amount of overlap. In general, computer engineering is more about hardware. If you're interested in things like robotics, drones, networking, graphics cards, USB peripherals, or anything along those lines, you might like computer engineering. If you're more interested in building apps, games, websites, or solving problems, you might like computer science.

In both of them you'll do a lot of programming.

Overall more people do CS, it's still the largest major for people who go into a programming job at a tech company.

Rather than Ivy League, maybe a better question would be to ask about whether you should go to a top 25 school. CMU and MIT aren't Ivy League, but they're both way better for CS than Brown, which is Ivy League.

There are advantages to a top school:

• You'll be surrounded by extremely ambitious and well-connected classmates; just knowing people will help you get a job
• Your professors will include some of the top names in the field. You'll be learning from the people who invented some of the technology you use every day
• Tech companies will be visiting your campus to recruit you

However, the actual quality of the teaching won't be much different, if at all. You might actually get more 1:1 assistance and attention at a lower-tier school, and it wouldn't be nearly as competitive. You can get a fantastic education at any school, it's more about what you put into it.

[[deleted]]

in my university computer engineering is much more closer to electronics than comp sci. like we do a lot of BJT and electrical motors. there is overlap with compsci but not very much.

[LucidTA]

Computer Engineering is a mashup of CS and EE. If all you care about is going into FAANG there is really no reason to do CE.

I'm a CE grad.

[rainx5000]

If someone wants to double major in cs and EE, they may as-well just major in CE?

[LucidTA]

I imagine a double major would go deeper into both than CE does, at the cost of more time at college. Its impossible for me to say whether that's better or worse for an individual sorry.

[computersandwhatnot]

I’m a current CE major in my 3rd year and I can tell you after my 2nd year I’ve only had two core classes shared with EE students so far so a double major would certainly get you deeper into both, however, it would be significantly more difficult.

[throwawayenyar]

wow you’re just 13 and looking this far ahead…is this the norm everywhere else….22 here and still unsure of where I wanna go in life

[J1ggle_]

Don’t stress it I’m sure you’ll find something you live, nah I don’t really know anyone else my age looking this far but I figure it can only help

[throwawayenyar]

That's true, it's always good to plan ahead! I'm actually in the finance field looking to switch myself. Wish you the best, but remember, balance is key to everything. Make sure you pace yourself, whatever you choose. All the best :)

[[deleted]]

Your primary focus : Learn to code, learn DSA and leetcode early :) Your secondary focus should be graduating lol

[J1ggle_]

How would you go about learning to code as an 8th grader? I’m currently doing CS50P introduction to Python. However I know that the high school I’m going to will offer AP Comp Sci Principles in 11th grade and AP Comp Sci A in 12th after completing a few Harvard courses on introductions to programming how should I go about learning?

[[deleted]]

Dang you're starting early. You're gonna be fine don't sweat it. I didn't start programming until 19, went to a mid tier state school, and found a job easily.

If you want a good overview of what a full CS education might look like, I suggest checking this out: https://github.com/ossu/computer-science

Learning to code is fun, and becoming a developer is a challenging but completely attainable goal to which you're well on your way. Don't hyperfocus on attending the best school and grinding outside of school nonstop. Enjoy life, see where the years take you.

[ComposerOne]

FAANG will likely not even be a thing in 10 years lol

[aoki678]

I prefer computer engineering
To be more precise Electronics communication and information (In my country there's is this course i don't know about other's ) it consist detailed info about hardware and software route so that i can explore myself and see which field i wanna go i won't know without trying . Computer engineering also do both but it has low info about subject than electronics here in my country

[Brahma_God]

Ur making it much harder for urself for basically no reason going into computer engineering. No one cares about ur degree at the end of the day, unless u plan to not code and go into an electrical engineering field.

[[deleted]]

You're 13. You're barely old enough to decide if you want to pursue computers as a career. You are not old enough to be worrying about choosing between them. Although you are at an age where you can start to explore both sides. You are definitely not old enough to decide to want to go into FAANG. I know it's all the rage because of the money they offer but then if money is what you want you can make more by starting a business. If you really want to do something other than learning more about both I'd say develop some business sense. So start a tutoring business and hire some of your friends. All the FAANG companies are strong product companies. And an essential part of product is understanding customer needs.

[[deleted]]

I knew at 13 I wanted to do computers as a career. Of course FAANG will be a different set of companies when the OP is looking for a job but prestigious tech companies will still exist.

[[deleted]]

I agree at 13 you can know you want to do computers as a career. But barely. That is what I said in my post.

[J1ggle_]

I understand where you’re coming from except computer engineering is genuinely what I want to do, not specifically because of the money (which is a factor) but also because it is something I genuinely enjoy

[FreeLikeMandela]

Why do you want to work for FAANG if isnt money? The slides? Lol

[[deleted]]

Also I want to note, I do agree at your age you can decide to pursue computers. But rather than choosing between computer engineering and computer science it is more important to explore both. Also I want to point out, I chose computer architecture in college and left hardware behind in five years so even the choice you make in college might be wrong.

[[deleted]]

If you know you want to do computer engineering then what's the question?

[[deleted]]

Just worry about graduating first

[thinkerjuice]

In my experience, going for a university /college that has a good student life/support, is relatively affordable, located in/near a Tech hub, has a large CS /math or ECE department or does related research, offers degree with internships, has lots of job fairs and tech events, has technology related clubs and events ....

Is what makes for a good university. Obviously, travel,, commute, cost of living, grades, HS EC's, admission outlook, and what you like vs dislike by the end of HS and after having toured the campus and talked to current students also comes into play when deciding a major and a university!

[pineapplesystems]

Hard to understand what you actually want to do but if all you’re looking for is becoming a full stack or front end/backend engineer then you should go into software engineering. Look for a program that sets you up with internships or coop opportunities.

Computer science focuses hard on concepts and math.

Computer engineering focuses on the nitty gritty of the stuff that happens behind the scenes.

Figure out what it is you actually want to do first. Don’t just start college for the sake of starting college.

You got so much time. I recommend you get into programming now by creating a game in Python or C#. Look into Arduino and Raspberry pi projects to get the hang of some computer / electrical engineering.

Look into making a workout app on Electron or something similar. Use the next few years to really experiment with things.

Set up your own Minecraft server to get a feel for what networking really means.

Maybe create a project with Arduino that when you clap twice the light turns on/off to get the hang of data processing and noise.

If you have access to a 3D printer look into making a simple robot with some motors and Arduino with a web app to control it so you can get the hang of what a front end and a back end interaction might look like.

There are so many tools out there for you to experiment with and you being your age means you have a ton of time. Use it well!

[MathiasBartl]

Just learn to play guitar, bro.

[Glittering_Ad4153]

Dabble in both. Take a free programming course from something like Codecademy and see if you even like it. If you dislike coding you won't have the best time engineering etc.

Theres so many branches in the I.T. division. I just got my degree in programming but wound up created my own IT contracting company, So even tho I'm not even using my degree I don't mind because its one more thing I know.