I'm having a hard time deciding about my future( computer science, investment banking

[Derp12y]

I know I might sound stupid or edgy, but it is really stressful for a long time and it would be really helpful to get some help, I'm almost 18 and have one year until graduating (from Romania). Basically, until now, I've focused on developing my social side, I've played some video games and have some hobbies I'm passionate about. Also, my background is decent, best highschool, I can attend the best college in the country, also got a cambridge english degree.


My issue is that I got really unhappy at one point a few months ago (some past family issues and some drama in my relationship), but also the fact that I had no real future. I had quite some fun until this point, did a lot of stuff and discovered myself, also studied general stuff about human emotions, however I decided to start learning C language at home. The point is, I picked the wrong class for my highschool, which is to go for med school (though I realised I liked programming). So, I've been learning it alone for like, 2-3 months and got pretty far.


The thing is I hit a plateau of sorts, I'm very driven by money and I have a huge desire to make money, a main reason I started programming, but I don't know what to do now. I'm my country, the salary is quite terrible, as you would imagine, though I have this frustration I have not started learning programming earlier, as I could go to olympiads, thus getting an internship easier at google , for example. I've one year left of school and I have this dread that if I would go in comp science and not achieve a great project or app, I will live forever in a company (keep in mind that you can achieve 2k euro mark in Romania per month, only in software engineering and can get to 4-5k if you're legendary, any other job is literally around 1k).


Recently, I thought about investment banking, however I don't think it is that possible anyway, to go in America etc. from here. Don't even know if I would enjoy the money after such long and tedious years, though I was thinking about doing 5 years or so in IB. I'm quite lost as I have lost will to learn programming alone, even though I consider I'm in pretty good shape ( I can get admitted at the best college with a decent grade currently ).

I would love to just talk with someone about all this

SHORT: Need advice about computer science, my frustration about not starting to learn code earlier, my fear of not being able to achieve something incredible in college to be financially independent ( I don't even know if I want to go in gaming industry or just software eng ) . I'm looking for ways to make big money , even through IB (idk if it is possible from my country to reach in others). I've very apprehensive about my future and feel like I will live a boring life in a corporation (you can't predict that you'll make a lot of money, especially from Romania).

[notWilliam]

I know I might sound stupid or edgy, but it is really stressful for a long time and it would be really helpful to get some help, I'm almost 18 and have one year until graduating (from Romania). Basically, until now, I've focused on developing my social side, I've played some video games and have some hobbies I'm passionate about. Also, my background is decent, best highschool, I can attend the best college in the country, also got a cambridge english degree.


My issue is that I got really unhappy at one point a few months ago (some past family issues and some drama in my relationship), but also the fact that I had no real future. I had quite some fun until this point, did a lot of stuff and discovered myself, also studied general stuff about human emotions, however I decided to start learning C language at home. The point is, I picked the wrong class for my highschool, which is to go for med school (though I realised I liked programming). So, I've been learning it alone for like, 2-3 months and got pretty far.


The thing is I hit a plateau of sorts, I'm very driven by money and I have a huge desire to make money, a main reason I started programming, but I don't know what to do now. I'm my country, the salary is quite terrible, as you would imagine, though I have this frustration I have not started learning programming earlier, as I could go to olympiads, thus getting an internship easier at google , for example. I've one year left of school and I have this dread that if I would go in comp science and not achieve a great project or app, I will live forever in a company (keep in mind that you can achieve 2k euro mark in Romania per month, only in software engineering and can get to 4-5k if you're legendary, any other job is literally around 1k).


Recently, I thought about investment banking, however I don't think it is that possible anyway, to go in America etc. from here. Don't even know if I would enjoy the money after such long and tedious years, though I was thinking about doing 5 years or so in IB. I'm quite lost as I have lost will to learn programming alone, even though I consider I'm in pretty good shape ( I can get admitted at the best college with a decent grade currently ).

I would love to just talk with someone about all this

SHORT: Need advice about computer science, my frustration about not starting to learn code earlier, my fear of not being able to achieve something incredible in college to be financially independent ( I don't even know if I want to go in gaming industry or just software eng ) . I'm looking for ways to make big money , even through IB (idk if it is possible from my country to reach in others). I've very apprehensive about my future and feel like I will live a boring life in a corporation (you can't predict that you'll make a lot of money, especially from Romania).

18 year old plans making VP in investment banking.


dude IB and CS are COMPLETELY different fields. skillset required is not even close to overlapping

[workoutMoma]

Do whatever you want that you think that you will benefit from.

[ralphlaurenbrah]

Bro stop putting such high pressure on yourself. You’re 18 years old- a child.

Don’t assume you can work for google or make it in IB unless you are the 99.9 percentile at the minimum.

Also, money doesn’t matter that much after a certain point. The happiest I’ve ever been was when I was making $10 an hr if that tells you anything. Computer science is a way better choice compared to finance in my opinion. It’s easier to be relatively successful in and only growing.

Also, almost everyone ends up working for some large company. Like 99% of people so there is almost a 100% chance you will end up doing that unless you create something that provides value which is more work/harder than it seems so accept that. Plus you will need capital to start that business and where do you think you will get the capital? From working for a large company lol.

Be realistic with your plans. The chances that you can immigrate to the US, then outcompete all of the genius US college grads who went to top tier US universities and likely started comp sci way younger than you are slim. The same goes for IB and top tier universities/connections so factor that into your plans. Anything is possible though. My psychiatrist came from Georgia (the country) and now makes $350 an hr in the US. He did say he scored basically the highest score in his country on its med school entrance exam though.

[DavidDavid101]

Man after several years of switching my jobs from different fields I realized the main thing is that you MUST do exactly what you like doing, you will be improved and raised up if only you will want it..and then money comes and other stuffs you want.
If you don't know where to go and what to start with, take up several courses, read feedbacks, try free on-line lessons and more..in the XXI century we are able to try everything. Good luck!

[Derp12y]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it is making me feel better, I just hope I'll be able to do good in college, projects , for CV and stuff like that

[Derp12y]

Yeah, it's just useless thinking from me, it really helped to hear your opinions, I should just calm down and continue my studies at my own pace, thank you again

[Derp12y]

I didn't assume I'll just never work a day in my life, obviously you have to start by working in a company, it was more like, eventually I would like to be able to do something more than that.

[stifler86]

You'll need to go to a top school and get good grades there to even have a shot at IB...unless you have some serious connections.

Computer science is more secure. There's a lot more you can do with CS too

[DavidL913]

CS degree and become a quant

[meanstringbean]

18 year old plans making VP in investment banking.


dude IB and CS are COMPLETELY different fields. skillset required is not even close to overlapping

Lol this


Dude has a ton of soul searching to do.

When I was 18 I wanted to be a high flying banker or corporate lawyer too. Got a taste of it and got out


You have no idea what you want to do until you do it. Focus on what you enjoy not prestige and dollars

[ajctennis]

I would recommend comp sci over IB. You will have a much better work life balance. Granted, it depends on what you actually like doing.

I recommend going to a college in the US that’s strong in multiple areas so you can do either or.

I’d apply to UC Berkeley, Cornell, Claremont McKenna and other programs that have many classes to choose from and are feeders to IB and great tech companies.

And yes it is possible to work in the US after college, I know many people who have done it.

If you want to make money I highly recommend coming to the US otherwise you’ll be trapped in Romania.

[DavidL913]

dude if you like CS and finance, go into financial engineering n chit.

https://www.quantstart.com/

[stifler86]

dude if you like CS and finance, go into financial engineering n chit.

this man knows what he's talking about...I agree

[Wheyvid]

Computer Science is probably a better move than IB. Computer Science like poster above said you'll have better work-life balance. You learn to build applications, IOT, embedded, networking, infrastructure affect real lasting changes for world instead of scamming the world of it's money and shifting it around. In my experience, if you want to be a parasite go to IB ig you want to build stuff to help create technologies for the world and enable wealth-creation essentially be a producer go into computer science.

[knightofday]

dude if you like CS and finance, go into financial engineering n chit.

https://www.quantstart.com/

This if you have the knack and brains for it OP, huge opportunities and $$$$

[savageoldman]

you are 18 and you already have this mindset - there is a good chance you will become quite successful whatever you choose to do - don't put so much pressure on yourself

at your age I was getting into fights and drinking like a degenerate