Computer science or Programming?

[Victor Bushkov]

Dear All:

I'm finishing my M.S., and the question about taking Ph.D. study is arising. I've been doing research in the field of theoretical computer science, so for me two ways are available: to be programmer or to get Ph.D study. I like both programming and computer science, but I don't know about working conditions in both of them. The key factor for me is a free time: I hate to be prisoner of my job, when job captures me, when it makes me spend evenings and nights by doing work. Money isn't so sufficient for me as free time, I want to have time for my family for my main hobbies - outdoor and photography.

I have neither been programmer nor scientist, I would be thankful to hear anyone's thoughts about the situation.

Victor B.

[WingedPanther]

I work as a programmer where I almost never (2 times/year-ish) work outside normal business hours. It's a question of where you work, not what your job is. Personally, I prefer solving "real problems" to doing theoretical research. On the other hand, my dad worked for many years as a programmer and got a kick out of discussions about technologies that would "be developed in the next 5-10 years" that they had running a few years back.

[John]

Originally Posted by WingedPanther

I work as a programmer where I almost never (2 times/year-ish) work outside normal business hours. It's a question of where you work, not what your job is. Personally, I prefer solving "real problems" to doing theoretical research. On the other hand, my dad worked for many years as a programmer and got a kick out of discussions about technologies that would "be developed in the next 5-10 years" that they had running a few years back.

Now is that because you know what you're doing? One of my concerns is what would happen if I to work for a company that doesn't use a language I know. My development speed would be severely hindered until I became proficient in the language.

[TkTech]

In cases like those I'd rather consider them a learning experience then a problem. Mind you, I pick languages up fairly quick..

[WingedPanther]

I started my job being familiar with C, C++, Java, Pascal. I use Delphi, ASP, ColdFusion, VBScript, and JavaScript in my job. I've just learned on the fly and kept moving.

[Victor Bushkov]

Now at the end of my M.S., I know only C++, Java and Pascal. But I haven't any experience in solving practical problems, because during my study I used this languages only for solving problems from computer science.

I think in my case it'll be very hard to come to industry.

[WingedPanther]

That is one of the biggest reasons why I recommend people get internships/externships. There is nothing like getting real experience to make the difference when applying for jobs.