I’m a senior in high school right now and definitely need to consider what I’m going to do in college and for work.
For a very long time I’ve been into computers, and am a developer with a few big projects under my belt (this is a burner account for privacy). So, my logical choice for a while was to become a software developer professionally.
Nowadays that plan doesn’t look too promising. AI has basically replaced junior developers (with dubious results) and the competition has gotten much fiercer. I’m not even in college yet so I have a good amount of time to potentially pivot to something else before choosing a major.
I’ve got quite a bit of experience with Linux and I manage a home server, but that probably doesn’t differentiate me much. I’m honestly interested in most things computer related, but don’t know of any specific fields to seek out. If it’s so hard for fresh CS graduates to get jobs, why would any other option be different?
What country are you in? If you are in one where college is affordable and you truly enjoy CS (not the same as software engineering) or think you may will; just try it for a bit.
Live is not all about money and careers and if you are talented enough you will find something after your degree and have fun with it, even if it might not be the absourdly overpaid positions of the past.
Otherwise, if you already have some experience and are not interested in the acedemic side of computers or can’t afford to “just try” college, (software) engineering is a great place for starting without a degree, be it an entry level position, or an apprenticeship. Although these might actually be hard to find for the next few years :|…