Humans of CSE

Transferring degrees can be an exciting yet challenging process for any university student, whether it involves switching majors or even transferring from a completely different university.

In this month's article, we’ll explore the hurdles faced by two students – Liem, a third-year computer science student, and another student who has chosen to remain anonymous, a first-year in the same program.

Both have transferred into a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) degree and have shared valuable insights and tips for anyone considering a similar path.

Could you please introduce yourself?

Anonymous: Hello! I'm a first-year Comp Sci student who recently transferred to UNSW.

Liem: Hi, I’m Liem and I’m a third-year Compsci student.

What motivated you to choose Computer Science as a degree to transfer to?

Anonymous: Before CompSci, I was studying a healthcare course at USyd whilst working at a clinic. So I've been in health for almost two and a half years now. At first, I enjoyed my field but the more I worked in it, I realised I wanted more structure in my future, in terms of lifestyle and career.

I used to dislike the mundanity of an office/corporate job but soon came to admire the routines people could build with and around their careers. The sound of having a set and regular amount of hours for work in a week is ideal for me as I tend to become disorganised and stressed when I work lengthy and random shifts.

Liem: I realised while I was doing civil, that I didn’t like maths- the content wasn’t what I thought it would be, and I didn’t really enjoy it. Then there was a course- 1811, compsci for engineers, and I didn’t study for it (hence why I ended it doing really badly), but I realised that I enjoyed it. That’s what sparked my interest in Computer Science as a degree to transfer to.

What were your biggest fears/concerns when you transitioned into computer science?

Anonymous: Everything was and still is new and unknown to me, who had zero knowledge about coding before the transfer. I was worried that I might not be able to keep up with the contents taught in classes but my core units have been decent (so far).

I was also concerned that I would not be able to go to my classes because I couldn't find the rooms (I almost missed my very first Tut-Lab because I was circling the Quad for 10 minutes looking for my room).

Liem: That I wouldn’t like it- then I’d keep changing again and again. I thought if I can’t stick to civil for a year- then how can I do Compsci for the next four years?’. That was scary, not knowing if I could stick it out, or if I’d just never finish any degree.

What was the biggest challenge faced during your transition into computer science?

Anonymous: Making friends. I commenced my study in Term 3 (just a few weeks ago!) and have yet to have a chance to engage with many of my peers during classes.

Liem: I’m always unsure about whether I’m doing the right thing. Change is scary- I was lucky because I did it in my first year. I was unsure about whether this was a decision that I was going to regret later on, and that fear and uncertainty were what I considered to be my biggest challenges.

Looking back, how do you feel about your decision to switch?

Anonymous: It was a huge decision as I was planning on fully changing my field. I was stumped on it for several months before I consulted a few of my friends studying CompSci or similar courses and I've received nothing but support from everyone around me throughout such a mentally taxing time, so I'm grateful I had friends to ease my decision to transfer.

I have no regrets at the moment (subject to change if I can't debug a code) and am very happy and excited to apply everything I've learnt and will learn into a project!

Liem: I don’t regret it- it’s better than civil for sure, and I’ve stuck it out because I enjoy it (and I’ll finish the degree). I’m still doing it, so I can’t objectively say whether it’s good or bad, but from my experience, I’m happier now that I’ve pushed through the fear of switching, and I enjoy a lot of things now because of it.

What advice would you give to students who are considering the switch?

Anonymous: Please ask students or people working in the field! They can provide a lot of insight and detail as to what the course entails. I've been introduced to several interesting career paths that I had not known about before.

Try a beginner course on coding and see if you enjoy it. And if you do, it'll help make your transition easier if you do decide to switch. I've been loaded with content the past few weeks and it can get overwhelming at times but before my study, I learnt some basics online and it has helped massively.

Liem: Ask people who are doing the course, and then look at the overlaps that may exist between your current degree and Computer Science. For example, I did 1511 while doing civil, which was very useful for my switch.

Also just remember that life’s too short to be scared of switching- people always change degrees and there is nothing wrong with it- it’s just a leap of faith - there are people who’ve switched entire disciplines and have been fine.

For more useful resources:

CSESoc Discord - A great place to ask questions and get advice from fellow students!

UNSW Subreddit - This is not CSESoc affiliated, however it is popular amongst students when seeking useful advice that may have been asked by past students in subreddits. Use at your own discretion.

CSESoc Outreach aims to release monthly articles that highlight the diverse experiences of students. We invite you to submit feedback or share your own insights through the form. Your stories, advice or perspectives could be invaluable to someone navigating university life.

https://forms.gle/Vt12TthoPhGSALGf8

Kevin Yeung, Isha Arora