Choosing a College Major

[Tola]

I'm in my last year of High School and I'm wondering what major would allow me to someday work at Nvidia or AMD as an GPU Engineer I've been looking Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Which would be most suitable to one day be able to reach my goal?

[Tea1337]

Computer science? Computer Engineering might be your best bet but talk to the people at the college you want to go to for more information on those topics

[qwertywarrior]

how good are you in physics

i got my ass handed to me on a  platter when in the first semester

[Tola]

Computer science? Computer Engineering might be your best bet but talk to the people at the college you want to go to for more information on those topics

Thanks

[Tola]

how good are you in physics

i got my ass handed to me on a  platter when in the first semester

I have a 96% in Physics

[qwertywarrior]

I have a 96% in Physics

me too .....

[exyia]

you'll learn what major you REALLY want once you're in college

 

don't commit or feel like you have to commit coming out of high school. You won't be taking many classes towards your major your first year

 

public school does a piss poor job of preparing you for that question

 

I know you hear that a lot, but it's true (just look at the stats of how many students change majors).

[Tola]

you'll learn what major you REALLY want once you're in college

 

don't commit or feel like you have to commit coming out of high school. You won't be taking many classes towards your major your first year

 

public school does a piss poor job of preparing you for that question

 

I know you hear that a lot, but it's true (just look at the stats of how many students change majors).

I go to a private school and my guidance Councillor suggested I start thinking about it.

[exyia]

I go to a private school and my guidance Councillor suggested I start thinking about it.

 

but you won't be taking many classes towards your major your first year of college anyway

 

so it doesn't make a difference. you can think about it sure - but thinking you have to commit to one now is a waste of time

[Tola]

but you won't be taking many classes towards your major your first year of college anyway

 

so it doesn't make a difference. you can think about it sure - but thinking you have to commit to one now is a waste of time

Thanks.

[KamiKatze]

A 96% in physics means you have a slight chance to pass the first exam with a D. Sciences and engeneering Majors are tuff! Talk to the people who study it already, that's the best you can do. Preferably somebody in the 4th or higher semester.

[Tola]

A 96% in physics means you have a slight chance to pass the first exam with a D. Sciences and engeneering Majors are tuff! Talk to the people who study it already, that's the best you can do. Preferably somebody in the 4th or higher semester.

Thanks. I will.

[Glenwing]

Computer science is pretty much about software development and efficiency.  It is heavier on mathematics.  Computer Engineering deals with computer systems, which includes hardware design as well as some programming (writing firmware, BIOS, etc.) while CS usually deals with higher level stuff.  Electrical engineering deals with electrical work (surprise) but it's on much more broad scale than CE.  CE is more of a cross between CS and EE.  Another option might be Electronic Engineering, which is like Electrical Engineering, but more focused on electronics/computer related things, without the software portion like CE.  If you want to design chips though, Computer Engineering is the best way to go.

[Tola]

Computer science is pretty much about software development and efficiency.  It is heavier on mathematics.  Computer Engineering deals with computer systems, which includes hardware design as well as some programming (writing firmware, BIOS, etc.) while CS usually deals with higher level stuff.  Electrical engineering deals with electrical work (surprise) but it's on much more broad scale than CE.  CE is more of a cross between CS and EE.  Another option might be Electronic Engineering, which is like Electrical Engineering, but more focused on electronics/computer related things, without the software portion like CE.  If you want to design chips though, Computer Engineering is the best way to go.

Thanks that was very helpful. 

[xXxYOLOxSWAGxXx_420BlazeIt]

If you cant decide yourself, you really, really shouldnt be going.

 

Pick something you enjoy. Its pointless in going to college just for the sake of going.

[MajorChipHazard]

I've been having the same thoughts.  I grad in just over 2 months, and I really want to get into the IT field. 

However, I got my ass kicked in physics and in chemistry, and my school doesn't offer a math 12, so I haven't been able to take that.

 

My guidance councilor pointed me towards some online websites that will work with the school district to get me a math 12, but the sites he gave me don't even offer the course.

 

Anyways, point is, I'm really into tech and I'm always the first person anyone goes to for any tech related question in my school, even the computers class teacher asks me for help.

 

I had to walk our district tech guy through building a PC and had to explain to him that that credit card thermal paste method isn't too great anymore.

 

Anyways, my point is, I don't have much going for me at all and I'm facing the same issue. 

[Tola]

I've been having the same thoughts.  I grad in just over 2 months, and I really want to get into the IT field. 

However, I got my ass kicked in physics and in chemistry, and my school doesn't offer a math 12, so I haven't been able to take that.

 

My guidance councilor pointed me towards some online websites that will work with the school district to get me a math 12, but the sites he gave me don't even offer the course.

 

Anyways, point is, I'm really into tech and I'm always the first person anyone goes to for any tech related question in my school, even the computers class teacher asks me for help.

 

I had to walk our district tech guy through building a PC and had to explain to him that that credit card thermal paste method isn't too great anymore.

 

Anyways, my point is, I don't have much going for me at all and I'm facing the same issue. 

Were in kind of the same boat I guess

[Createinator]

I have had such lofty dreams myself as I wished to work for Ubisoft/ Capcom/ Nintento/ Lionhead/ Bethesda and ahem... Jagex... so I sent them an email couple of years ago and they were kind enough to guide me in what courses to pursue, what books to read and what skills to build. Since you have pretty much decided what you want to do, write an email to AMD and Nvidia HRM(Human Resource Development Department) and ask for their guidance. There is nothing better than doing this! Best of Luck!

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Definitely not Computer Science. In CS you focus (nearly) 100% on software. You're definitely gonna be looking towards an Engineering major, either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering as you mention yourself. Personally I'd go down the Electrical Engineering road and take some Computer Engineering classes with it as I believe that brings a tad more job flexibility to you in the end. Saying that you want to work at NVIDIA or AMD is fine, but you should probably face the fact that ultimately that's somewhat unrealistic, you need more job options in your life than two companies because if they both say no to you, you're pretty boned.

[Lyons]

You probably want to do a CE/BSphys double major if you really want to this kind of work. Designing leading silicon [in general] is seriously heavy shit, you need to be the top of the top if you want to work in this field. It's similar to wanting to be a programmer at Google. Only the best of the best are able to do it, and you definitely want to be coming from a prestigious university too. Now, a CE/BSphys is f*cking hard work, and regardless of what path you take to pursue this career, you better be able to live a breathe maths, and work your ass off in other subjects meanwhile.

 

Limiting yourself to 'I wanna make my own graphics cards when I grow up' is a bit silly too. When you finish school or start uni, you will almost definitely find that you don't want to do exactly what you planned and alter your path.

[Tola]

Definitely not Computer Science. In CS you focus (nearly) 100% on software. You're definitely gonna be looking towards an Engineering major, either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering as you mention yourself. Personally I'd go down the Electrical Engineering road and take some Computer Engineering classes with it as I believe that brings a tad more job flexibility to you in the end. Saying that you want to work at NVIDIA or AMD is fine, but you should probably face the fact that ultimately that's somewhat unrealistic, you need more job options in your life than two companies because if they both say no to you, you're pretty boned.

I was planning to get some experience in smaller companies and eventually work my my way up to one of those companies

[Tola]

You probably want to do a CE/BSphys double major if you really want to this kind of work. Designing leading silicon [in general] is seriously heavy shit, you need to be the top of the top if you want to work in this field. It's similar to wanting to be a programmer at Google. Only the best of the best are able to do it, and you definitely want to be coming from a prestigious university too. Now, a CE/BSphys is f*cking hard work, and regardless of what path you take to pursue this career, you better be able to live a breathe maths, and work your ass off in other subjects meanwhile.

 

Limiting yourself to 'I wanna make my own graphics cards when I grow up' is a bit silly too. When you finish school or start uni, you will almost definitely find that you don't want to do exactly what you planned and alter your path.

Fair point

[Mentalguy]

basket weaving

in-flight missile technician

submarine screen door repairman

flight deck carpenter

[juretrn]

Electrical engineering, electronics course.