I was in the computer field for 7 years. I had a great time being innovative and learning everything possible involving computers, including programming, web design, PC repair, network administration, database implementations, etc. After starting a web business, and 3 years later having that web business not meet my monetary needs, I had to start looking at that job and my life seriously to decide what to do next.
What I realized: Computers did not produce the same utility (happiness) it provided years prior. What was starting to move me was working with people, something that was nearly impossible to do when working behind a computer screen 12-16 hrs/day. It was more of a drain to be innovative, because it didn't leave any energy for the rest of my life (socially, romantically, extracurricularly, etc.)
So, I dropped computers. I have never been this happy. I live life fully, and do what I want to do -- mainly interact with people on numerous levels. I am going back to college and working towards a career in interpersonal empowerment.
I still play with computers... but only on the side, as a hobby. I find a lot of joy in it when it is seen as a hobby; where I only do it because I love to do it; not because I want to get paid, or need to meet a deadline... simply for the love of being creative.
And so all this is to say... do something because you love to do it. You can't force yourself to love a career, much the same way you can't force yourself to love another person. You just do it. You just love that job or that person. There's no effort involved.
If you want to graduate with that CS degree... take on those projects as challenges, not as class assignments. Take them on because they stretch you and pull you; because they cause you to think in a new way and tackle something more difficult than the last problem. If you don't want to graduate with that CS degree... great -- don't, and get something else that leads you to what you love to do.
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I was in the computer field for 7 years. I had a great time being innovative and learning everything possible involving computers, including programming, web design, PC repair, network administration, database implementations, etc. After starting a web business, and 3 years later having that web business not meet my monetary needs, I had to start looking at that job and my life seriously to decide what to do next.
What I realized: Computers did not produce the same utility (happiness) it provided years prior. What was starting to move me was working with people, something that was nearly impossible to do when working behind a computer screen 12-16 hrs/day. It was more of a drain to be innovative, because it didn't leave any energy for the rest of my life (socially, romantically, extracurricularly, etc.)
So, I dropped computers. I have never been this happy. I live life fully, and do what I want to do -- mainly interact with people on numerous levels. I am going back to college and working towards a career in interpersonal empowerment.
I still play with computers... but only on the side, as a hobby. I find a lot of joy in it when it is seen as a hobby; where I only do it because I love to do it; not because I want to get paid, or need to meet a deadline... simply for the love of being creative.
And so all this is to say... do something because you love to do it. You can't force yourself to love a career, much the same way you can't force yourself to love another person. You just do it. You just love that job or that person. There's no effort involved.
If you want to graduate with that CS degree... take on those projects as challenges, not as class assignments. Take them on because they stretch you and pull you; because they cause you to think in a new way and tackle something more difficult than the last problem. If you don't want to graduate with that CS degree... great -- don't, and get something else that leads you to what you love to do.