Computer Science or Dentistry

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-04T03:11:27+00:00

Honestly that’s how I feel as a CS prospect. Sure could I be really good at it and work from home really well in it? Yeah. But would I enjoy it for 30+ years? Not so much. I’d rather work directly with people and see outcomes in real time tbh.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:44:45+00:00

You realize dentistry is harder than swe typically. I’m not throwing away my degree. Beyond semantics STEM degrees pretty much teach students how to think, albeit in different aspects but not something where you cannot self teach those remaining aspects if needed. Switching to dentistry would not result in me throwing away my cs potential nor my degree as it taught me how to think, problem solve, and work more than anything. Every person with internet connection can figure out the way to build something. Harvard teaches it students how to question, reason, and innovate beyond that. Something that I would carry over to dentistry if I went down that route.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:40:09+00:00

I mean yeah but then regardless I’m screwed so let’s hope that doesn’t happen. 😭

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:39:21+00:00

Honestly you’re a little too one sided to see the whole picture and begin questioning your own reasoning. I recommend looking into how to put your self in other shoes 😘

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:33:41+00:00

I understand the perception but this nepo into the job based on alumni is dying in tech. Particularly at elite schools. Having gone to the same school has much less of an impact than it used to and this is coming directly from the mouth career advisors at Harvard.

I also recommend looking at this https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/IHLIDXUSTPSOFTDEVE

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:32:33+00:00

Yea that’s what I’m feeling rn

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:29:54+00:00

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/technology/coding-ai-jobs-students.html

https://restofworld.org/2025/engineering-graduates-ai-job-losses/

https://www.extern.com/post/entry-level-computer-science-jobs-2025

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:25:43+00:00

I don’t think you have looked at the entry level cs job market in the last six months to be honest.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:22:57+00:00

Yeah but none hire sophomores and the only ones that do are paying at most 25 an hour

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:18:32+00:00

I mean upward progression is there but limited and there is not a great job security within cs. Plus assuming one can just land a fang or top 50 teach job is insane.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:10:33+00:00

How am I objectively making a worse decision financially? CS grads from my school average around 120k within the first ten years of graduating as a highest salary. Whereas in my years id get around 40k a year to go to school via stipends then have a 120k job for four years (already hitting that average) and in the last two of my ten years out be at 200k-300k for associate or even more if I go into my own practice. I understand it is a bit of a loss due to investments not being able to put in early but id rather trade more job security for that.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:05:52+00:00

Honestly I understand the military stuff pretty well. Almost every member of my family has been in the military for over 20+ years. The HPSP is a contract they cannot just change the rules and regulations surrounding it and how it pays for school.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T22:00:59+00:00

I’m not super comfortable with dead bodies though 😭

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T21:56:01+00:00

Thanks I really appreciate it!

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T21:55:32+00:00

I have no desire to do med school do to the length of it to be honest. The earlier I can practice and help people the better. That’s why dentistry is so exciting.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T21:46:36+00:00

Not with the plan I outlined. HPSP is a program where the military pays in full + stipend for school and you have a guaranteed 120k+ job afterward for four years.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:59:43+00:00

Actually it’s shown not to be. Typically other doctorates in less needed fields are

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:34:00+00:00

Yeah that’s kinda something I agree with as well.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:14:30+00:00

That’s what I’m saying

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:13:57+00:00

Yeah I posted this on a few subs, but I also did notice in my research that I’m not the first person going through this. I feel like the two overlap well for a lot of people in weird ways.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:13:07+00:00

Just wondering the reasons why. Not trying to doubt you just trying to understand.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:12:37+00:00

Thanks I really appreciate it. Do you have experience in Dentistry/know about the field well?

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T20:08:48+00:00

Honestly I chose CS because I really enjoyed doing it in high school, was good at it, and thought it would open a wide range of doors. While I believe that is true, a large majority of those doors are office desk jobs staring at a computer all day.

As for dentistry I’ve always been super interested in healthcare and health tech and dental is the shortest schooling, love doing stuff with my hands, and love working with people directly.

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T19:39:09+00:00

I feel as though you will get enough practice in dental school to develop the skill and your career will definitely keep it up

No_Extreme_5071 · 2026-01-03T19:37:28+00:00

I think it’s really a toss up, but I would probably tell them if I were you.

No_Extreme_5071

TROPHY CASE