Is the CS field worth it in 2025 with all of the factors stacked against job seekers? /u/FunnilyEnough7870 CSCQ protests reddit

I will be starting college this fall, and CompSci is one of my options. I find the field interesting, but would not say it is a passion or that I find it like “fascinating.”

Let’s start with a few reasons why I think it may be a good fit and I am considering the field: I have an interest in it in general (althought I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily passionate about it or like fascinated or anything), the salary is obviously really great and the field is pretty lucrative in terms of monetary compensation, there is good location flexibility (is this part true? Please let me know, because I’m not 100% sure), and I can get the degree from the school near me, where it is cheap, rather than needing to go to a different, more expensive college like I would have to for my other option that I am considering.

I’m not exactly sure what subfield I would want to pursue in tech, but the one that interests me most is Cybersecurity. However, I know this isn’t an entry-level field, so I wouldn’t start there. Of course, there are others, like SWE, that interest me.

I had a few concerns and was wondering if they’re valid and if you’d still pursue the field, if you were me, based on these factors (plus anything I don’t mention):

1. AI threat: AI can code now, and it will only get better at it. Is this a threat that could hurt my chances as a junior in the field, or even mid-level to senior-level, eventually?
2. Oursourcing: The outsourcing of a lot of jobs to people working in other countries who will do the work, but asking for a fraction of the compensation.
3. Oversaturation and competition: There are so many new grads, and even senior-level workers who have been laid off, all competing for the same jobs. I’ve heard it’s not uncommon to send in hundreds of applications just to get no responses of a couple interviews (that may or may not have multiple rounds) just to still potentially not get the job.
4. Constant learning off the job/WLB: I’ve heard a lot that, in this field, a lot of learning is required, even while not working. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect to graduate and never study again, but working on a lot of projects outside of work and studying a lot doesn’t appeal to me-I want a life outside of work. I’ve also heard of needing to put in extra hours relatively consistently and sort-of being worked to death in some tech fields, is that true?
5. Layoffs/unemployment/job security: Layoffs are also supposedly pretty common in these ever-changing fields, and I’ve heard that the fluctuations mean a lack of job security. This is a bigger issue, too, since it’s so hard to get a job, and you could be jobless for a while after getting laid off.

Are these valid concerns? Would you pursue this field if you were me, despite these factors?

I will be starting college this fall, and CompSci is one of my options. I find the field interesting, but would not say it is a passion or that I find it like “fascinating.”

Let’s start with a few reasons why I think it may be a good fit and I am considering the field: I have an interest in it in general (althought I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily passionate about it or like fascinated or anything), the salary is obviously really great and the field is pretty lucrative in terms of monetary compensation, there is good location flexibility (is this part true? Please let me know, because I’m not 100% sure), and I can get the degree from the school near me, where it is cheap, rather than needing to go to a different, more expensive college like I would have to for my other option that I am considering.

I’m not exactly sure what subfield I would want to pursue in tech, but the one that interests me most is Cybersecurity. However, I know this isn’t an entry-level field, so I wouldn’t start there. Of course, there are others, like SWE, that interest me.

I had a few concerns and was wondering if they’re valid and if you’d still pursue the field, if you were me, based on these factors (plus anything I don’t mention):

1. AI threat: AI can code now, and it will only get better at it. Is this a threat that could hurt my chances as a junior in the field, or even mid-level to senior-level, eventually?
2. Oursourcing: The outsourcing of a lot of jobs to people working in other countries who will do the work, but asking for a fraction of the compensation.
3. Oversaturation and competition: There are so many new grads, and even senior-level workers who have been laid off, all competing for the same jobs. I’ve heard it’s not uncommon to send in hundreds of applications just to get no responses of a couple interviews (that may or may not have multiple rounds) just to still potentially not get the job.
4. Constant learning off the job/WLB: I’ve heard a lot that, in this field, a lot of learning is required, even while not working. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect to graduate and never study again, but working on a lot of projects outside of work and studying a lot doesn’t appeal to me-I want a life outside of work. I’ve also heard of needing to put in extra hours relatively consistently and sort-of being worked to death in some tech fields, is that true?
5. Layoffs/unemployment/job security: Layoffs are also supposedly pretty common in these ever-changing fields, and I’ve heard that the fluctuations mean a lack of job security. This is a bigger issue, too, since it’s so hard to get a job, and you could be jobless for a while after getting laid off.

Are these valid concerns? Would you pursue this field if you were me, despite these factors?