Even though I am only a first-year, I am already exhausted from being asked these eleven questions over and over again as a Computer Science major. Most of these questions arise from stereotypes of computer scientists. To all the COSI majors reading this article: I know you can relate. To all the non-COSI majors: please stop asking us these questions. Please.
1. Can you fix my computer?
Despite what many people think, not all computer scientists know everything and anything about a computer's hardware. What do I do when my computer does something funky? Turn it on and off, that usually works.
2. Can you help me with my math homework?
While some Computer Science majors are double-majoring or minoring in mathematics (I am doing the latter), you would be surprised that some COSI majors have not taken a math class past Calculus I. This is because a higher-level knowledge of math is definitely not required to succeed as a programmer.
3. Can you reprogram my phone?
Just like COSI majors do not know the ins-and-outs of computers, we also do not know the deep dark depths of cell-phones. I hate to break it to you, but I still sport the iPhone 5s and do not intend to upgrade anytime soon.
4. I do not know how to do ___ on my computer, but I know you do ... Help?
The answer is always no.
5. What is your favorite video game?
Of course some COSI majors enjoy video games and play them frequently. However, not all COSI majors play video games. You can think of computer scientists and video gamers as two circles of a Venn diagram. Some people are just computer scientists, some people are just video gamers, and some people are both!
6. My printer is doing something weird, please fix it for me?
"COSI major" does not mean "printer major." It is a simple fact.
7. Are you aware of the decreasing need for programmers?
Within the past six months, people have told me that I will not be unable to find a job once I graduate because the technology industry will not need COSI majors. This is equivalent to saying that no one will use the internet once I graduate.
8. It must feel awesome knowing that you will get a job after you graduate, right
Yes, holding a full-time job will be awesome, but that does require me to graduate ... and as of now, I have no idea how I will get through three more years of mandatory COSI classes
9. Is Computer Science hard?
I desperately wish I could answer "no" to this question, but I cannot. For me, the answer is yes.
10. Do you know *insert programming language*?
I usually decide not to answer this question directly with a yes or no answer. I do this because I will most likely not have learned the language you speak of, and you will probably express your surprise over the fact that I do not know the language. This is a conversation I would rather avoid.
11. So is your computer your best friend?
You might be surprised that I have friends who I hang out with on a regular basis. I am also involved with plenty of clubs on campus, and *shocker* I enjoy taking classes on subjects other than Computer Science. So, no, I would have to say that my computer is not my best friend. Most of the time it is my enemy.
