I can't decide between CompSci and IB
Hi. I'm guessing you guys here at WSO are fed up with topics such as these, but I just can't take it anymore and need to ask someone wiser. I'm sorry.
2 years ago during my senior year high school, I learned how to program through the Harvard's introductory online course CS50x. I could talk forever how great that course was and how much I enjoyed it, but the point is that the teaching quality there made me want to study abroad instead of my home country, Slovakia. I therefore applied to study mathematics to 5 UK universities. I got offers from everywhere but Oxford, but given I felt like it wasn't my best shot, and their financial support was worth the wait, I took a gap year. This year I got into LSE, Warwick and Bristol, but in the end I couldn't attend none of them because of some unfortunate events due to which I could afford to do so. (I'm also an orphan)
Meanwhile, after I graduated high school, I got into web development. I'm now working in the second agency I've been to as a backend developer, working mainly with Python/Django. I like the job, I even had few of my own clients I've built websites for, and I also like the prospect of being able to work remotely while traveling the world. But it's still "just web programming" and I definitely want to go to university to learn more about advanced topics, to meet new people, to have a degree and to have that "college experience".
But then there's IB. It's completely different from being a programmer, long hours, Excel, but I'm terribly money driven. I've never had them, everything was always a struggle and I'm willing to work my ass of for them no matter what. I was stone cold decided for IB route until I couldn't attend LSE, but now my best option is Charles University in Prague. And I'm in doubt. Would degree - either financial mathematics or economics&finance - from such a school be sufficient? Could getting a Master's degree from a prestigious UK school be a way into London's IB? I also understand that it's more about me than what school I went to, but I feel like C.U. could be too distant?
Or is altogether a bad idea to pursue a career in a field that I don't know that much about as opposed to CS which I have a real passion for? On the other hand, I am confident in my programming skills (in a sense that I know where do I need to improve, what's important and what's not) and I'm sure I could jump back on if things won't work out.
Thank your for your advice.
I would say to always follow your passion. You will be much more successful in the long run. That's not to say that you shouldn't go to college, but college is really what YOU make of it. It can be a big waste of time if you don't apply yourself and meet life long friends.
This is something that members on WSO probably can't answer for you, but based on the background here, I'd encourage you to continue with CompSci...while there will be banking in the future, I think the demand for someone of your skillset is exploding all over the world.
If you are good and master your craft, you will be in extremely high demand and can command similar compensation (but I'd argue the hours can be just as brutal).
The other reason I'd point you to comp sci is that learning coding always gives you the option to start a side business. While a background in finance is helpful, a background in coding allows you to literally build anything from the ground up with limited capital in your spare time.
Want to start that side business online or app? Theoretically you wouldn't need anyone but yourself...I wouldnt throw away that option lightly (nor the ability to work remotely and travel whereever you want!)..
Whatever you decide, best of luck! Patrick
Thank you for your comment. It wasn't what I was hoping for at the time, but since then I came to a conclusion that you're right. I've decided for CS and I can no longer imagine it having it any other way. Heck I should be grateful that I can make a living doing what I love. Thanks again, sir
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