Yes, I’m a Computer Science major and no, I’m not a nerd

I think

When I tell someone I’m a Computer Science major, I can almost always tell exactly what they’re thinking.
The immediate assumption is that I’ve got some kind of arcane knowledge on computers. I know what to do when your Netflix crashes. I can hack the laptop of that old guy sitting across the cafe. Blah blah blah…
I’m sorry to tell you this, but your assumptions about a Computer Science major just might be as wrong as someone who uses Internet Explorer.

I can’t fix your computer, so don’t ask

Person: So yeah, what are you studying?

Me: I’m a Computer Science major!

Person: Oh that’s awesome! So you can totally like, fix my computer right?

Me: *Nervous laugh*…Umm, I mean probably not.

*Awkward Silence*

Me: Have you tried turning it off and back on?

First off, why does everyone new I meet have a broken computer? Seems a bit odd.

Secondly, even if I could fix your computer, do you really think I would? I’ve got better things to do. Like watch Netflix alone in my room whilst stuffing myself with cheesecake until I hate myself.

Thought I was lying? Well, joke’s on you

Technology is just as frustrating… and AWESOME… to me as it is to you

Guys, I’m just like the rest of you. I’m clueless when it comes to technology.

When I moved into my first apartment last summer, it took me five hours to set up a router (I was putting the ethernet cord in the wrong outlet). Not to mention it was the cheapest and “easy set-up” option from Walmart (don’t judge, my mom taught me to be a smart shopper).

A couple months ago, my friend introduced me to the control-f command on my Mac; it blew my mind. Apparently, every Mac user on the planet knew that, with the exception of yours truly (if you never knew about this trick, you’re welcome). Another small detail, my friend has never (to my knowledge) been a Mac user in his life.

You all have no idea the toll this kind of stuff takes on me as a computer science major. It’s like my pride is slowly being stripped away, one ignorant tech gaffe after another. I’m supposed to OWN THIS SHIT.

Math ain’t exactly my cup of tea either

I’m a normal human-being…whatever that means

I feel like the first thing that pops in people’s minds when they hear “Computer Science major” is  the stereotypical, male, pimple-ridden, anti-social nerd who’s glued to their chair behind a computer screen playing League of Legends for hours straight, the extent of their interaction with females being the text conversation with their mother.

OK fine, that was my high school.

HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean it’s OK to stick to that first image you get of someone in your head. People actually have personalities (I know, crazy right?), and other things that they are passionate about, even if it may seem otherwise.

Personally, I’m an active member of the greek community (yes I wear Sperry’s, please get over yourself), I go to the gym all the time (once a week… and that’s if I don’t get a Chipotle craving on the way there), and I work at a cafe (where I must say, the guy-girl ratio is pristine).

Shout-out to the T.Spoons Iowa City crew!

Even if I was a nerd…so what?

This is college people. If a comp-sci major enjoys spending his/her (believe it or not, there are female computer science majors) time playing video games and coding their own apps, then all the more power to them.

Besides, you should be thankful. These are the people who make your favorite games, who who make sure your oh-so-precious Twitter and Instagram stay running 24/7, and create cutting-edge software for virtually every industry. They’ll probably be your boss in 10 years.

Learning is a process (warning: boring part)

Just like a pre-med student can’t perform heart transplants, I can’t code back-end databases to organize account data for millions of people.

OK, that comparison might be a little bit of a stretch.

However, my point remains. I’m only a sophomore, and while there are comp-sci majors the same age as me who are miles ahead in terms of technical knowledge, I’m confident that I will get to the point I want to be at. Of course it would be amazing to work for companies like Google or Apple, but it takes a lot of time and effort to get there!

My back-up plan is to leech off my parents while I slowly scrape up enough money to be able to buy Chipotle every day. Solid, I know.

Chipotle is Love. Chipotle is Life

Let’s be honest…we’re all nerds

Don’t tell me you’re not weird. Don’t tell me that everything you do is normal. Because I can tell you right now, that you are in fact a nerd in your own way.

Our own little quirks are what define us as individuals! Come on people, it’s OK to be a little kooky sometimes.

Exhibit A

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