I need to make a big choice

[TheTryHard]

I'm 17 and I've decided to pursue a degree in computer science. I have been doing competitive programming a lot for the past few years and, if I work hard enough, I have a good chance of getting a medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics. That medal is what I need to get a scholarship in one of the best universities in the world.

I don't particularly enjoy competitive programming at this point. I'm not happy with the idea that I'll spend all my free time for the next year doing only that, should I decide to go that route. After that should I succeed 4+ more years of studying await so I can get a 9 to 5 job and be severely disappointed with it.

On the other hand, I've already read a lot on startups, business, finance, social psychology, marketing, selling etc. and I already know most of the things I'm supposed to learn in college. My preferred outcome in both scenarios is to make my own business, except in the first scenario I'd probably wait 8+ years to do it.

On most places on internet the conventional wisdom of go to school is being spread. Is that really the optimal option? Do I really need to throw away ~8 years of my life before I start doing what I really want to? Should I really work that hard for a year just so some admission board might see me as fit enough to be successful?

 

[Teax]

My preferred outcome in both scenarios is to make my own business, except in the first scenario I'd probably wait 8+ years to do it.

The only difference is whether you want a safety net. A plan-B in case your business doesn't take off and you have to start over or (temporarily?) apply for a job. A piece of paper from "the man" that gives you the right to earn over 4x the salary for the same amount of work hours. A piece of paper you can slap in the face of your business partners to improve credibility. It's a strategic move. Are 8 years worth paying for that?

There's one other benefit of the college route that you haven't mentioned, but as an argument in this particular question I'd say it has zero value: A free pass to the college library(figuratively and literally) and resources. It is a very enjoyable perk for an INTP, should you choose this route.

Also, The Olympiad is I guess the second best way to gain an intuitive grasp on computer science which in turn you can use to reduce your prison.... errr I mean college time by a semester or two. If you take matters in your own hands as soon as you arrive, it of course depends on your college whether that is even possible. This is something I wish someone had told me when I started.

 

[Inquisitor]

I'm 17 and I've decided to pursue a degree in computer science. I have been doing competitive programming a lot for the past few years and, if I work hard enough, I have a good chance of getting a medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics. That medal is what I need to get a scholarship in one of the best universities in the world.

I don't particularly enjoy competitive programming at this point. I'm not happy with the idea that I'll spend all my free time for the next year doing only that, should I decide to go that route. After that should I succeed 4+ more years of studying await so I can get a 9 to 5 job and be severely disappointed with it.

On the other hand, I've already read a lot on startups, business, finance, social psychology, marketing, selling etc. and I already know most of the things I'm supposed to learn in college. My preferred outcome in both scenarios is to make my own business, except in the first scenario I'd probably wait 8+ years to do it.

On most places on internet the conventional wisdom of go to school is being spread. Is that really the optimal option? Do I really need to throw away ~8 years of my life before I start doing what I really want to? Should I really work that hard for a year just so some admission board might see me as fit enough to be successful?

If you are an INTP, it's unlikely you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur...sorry. I wish it weren't so believe me...I am one myself. I hear there are many INTPs out there who function as independent consultants of all flavors, but that's a far cry from starting a company with actual employees working for you. The theory backs this up, and I believe MBTI does as well although I'm too lazy to find the reference for you at the moment.

Just go to college and get a CS degree...I have no idea what being a software engineer is like, but I'm in school right now and I'm 30 and also going for the CS degree. Working for a company aint so bad. I did that before. Having someone else take care of all the crap (HR, accounting, marketing, finance, etc.) is really nice! Plus even if the salary is not 500k, it's possible to make 6 figures and also get a bunch of other benefits in the process that have a significant value (health insurance, retirement schemes, dental, +many other perks). Slow wealth accumulation is not a bad deal at all contrary to what so many people out there would have you believe.

Also, what happens once you start your company and make millions? Think that'll make you happy? I think not...

INTPs w/o regular work routine = waste of life/unfulfilled

That's really impressive about your programming experience. I hope you do get a medal. BTW, if I wanted to hone my skills what websites worked for you in your training?

 

[Miss spelt]

Inquisitor, go fuck yourself.

 

[TheManBeyond]

μαλάκα

 

[Haim]

What do you want to do after the degree?
Because solving a specific problem is different from making software,when you make software finding problems is more important.
By finding problems I mean,what software to make(what user problem you want to solve),how will it work,seeing what the user will do(badly),bugs.

 

[emmabobary]

In my experience, now after 4 years, I had to go the long way. Is important, as Teax says, to have a plan B.
Aside your studies you're gonna need some personal skills to run a bussines, it's a matter of vocation. You can train that, you surely know personality classifications don't dictate your future.
Advice: go step by step. I see you planned your life for the next 8-10 years. Maybe focus first in one goal then draw the next.

 

[Sixup]

Get the degree. Work on one important side project while working on your degree. This project can grow into something more or stay as a side thing, but at least you'll have the degree at the end.

Read the articles here about startups: http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html

Might help you decide if that's the route you want to go. And also has good advice overall, IMO.

 

[TheTryHard]

Thanks for all the answers!

Because solving a specific problem is different from making software

I am completely aware that competitive programming is in no way similar to any coding I might end up doing, which is part of the reason why I'd hate doing it for another year.

A plan-B in case your business doesn't take off

Work on one important side project while working on your degree.

I don't like the idea of going for both. Splitting my attention is the best way to ensure I don't do a lot in either. If I end up choosing the safe route I'll put all my effort into advancing there the most instead of giving little effort to meaningless side projects.

 

[Sixup]

I don't like the idea of going for both. Splitting my attention is the best way to ensure I don't do a lot in either. If I end up choosing the safe route I'll put all my effort into advancing there the most instead of giving little effort to meaningless side projects.

No reason you can't do college plus one side project at a time. Only one. Especially if you're someone who has the discipline to become an exceptional programmer at 17.

From the above mentioned articles:

"...The best plan, I think, is to step onto an orthogonal vector. Don't just do what they tell you, and don't just refuse to. Instead treat school as a day job. As day jobs go, it's pretty sweet. You're done at 3 o'clock, and you can even work on your own stuff while you're there.

Curiosity

And what's your real job supposed to be? Unless you're Mozart, your first task is to figure that out. What are the great things to work on? Where are the imaginative people? And most importantly, what are you interested in? The word "aptitude" is misleading, because it implies something innate. The most powerful sort of aptitude is a consuming interest in some question, and such interests are often acquired tastes."

http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html

 

[Pyropyro]

College offers two things: network and leverage. You got to practice getting both if you want to make the most out of it.

Certifications can also give you some edge. I'm a certified <redacted> so I can access certain jobs that others can't.

Job experience is also a good route EVEN if you want to go through the startup route. It's an excellent way of learning (and making mistakes) while earning a little money on the side. Besides, funds from a job can also give you some precious funds if you're gonna bootstrap your startup.