Ask HN: CS Major or CS Minor

4 points

15 years ago

Here's my situation: I'm currently a senior at a well-regarded state university on the east coast. Currently, my major is History, though I've taken enough classes that I could get a CS minor and graduate on time. To complete a CS major, it would be another full semester, jam-packed schedules for the rest of my time in college, and probably multiple courses over the summer.

Complicating the matter is that I've received a job offer to work as a web developer doing exactly what I want to do, at a place I could see myself working for 5+ years or more, with a really great team, in the location I want to live, and at a salary that is more than competitive for the area. It is the same place I interned with last summer, I know them well, and it's probably the only place I really, really want to work.

Problem is that it starts after I am supposed to graduate next May. I do not know for sure if the job will still be waiting for me--they're essentially waiting for me for this entire year, and I don't feel good about adding 8 months on to the time when I can accept the job. Cost of classes/living expenses isn't a factor--thankfully, my parents saved too much for college, and have extra money lying around for this very purpose.

So, here is the question: does the eventual payout of a major in CS rather than a minor in CS outweigh the potential cost of not getting this job offer?

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