I'm a computer science student and have had one software engineering internship. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of SWE because it feels pretty stressful. I think I could handle it for just a 10-week internship but not as a full-time role. Has anyone else felt this way? Is it worth going through the struggles? Also, is it too late to apply for internships now? I feel like most roles might be filled by now, so I might be out of luck. Some of my friends have internships, and while I sort of envy them, I also feel bad for them...
4 Answers
Honestly, I struggled with studying computer science too. It often felt like I was just learning to copy-paste solutions from the internet rather than actually understanding concepts. For me, the excitement comes from solving real problems, like optimizing data transfer across servers. Internships are meant to give you a taste of business challenges, but I get how if that doesn’t spark your interest, it can feel like drudgery. After 30 years, I still find some joy in it, but if it’s wearing you down, maybe management could be a better fit for you down the line.
You think cyber security is less stressful than SWE? You might want to reconsider; the entire IT field comes with its own pressures, regardless of the specialty!
If you’re majoring in computer science but aren’t into software engineering, what do you want to pursue instead?
I’m curious too! What other fields could be good options?
Every job comes with its own stresses, so it might just feel like the grass is greener on the other side. I’d suggest finding something that fits both your skills and what employers need, and maybe focus on building hobbies outside of work to balance the stress.
True, many people choose their majors based on factors other than real-world experience, like potential salary or family expectations.