I am working full time currently as a programmer in a summer internship. In the fall I will be continuing school and working part-time as a programmer.
I believe that I want to be a professional programmer and someday a software engineer.
However, I am very interested in all the areas of computer science that I have been studying. I hear occasionally about how some computer science majors end up being "just programmers" and not "computer scientists." There seems to be a common thought that becoming a programmer means that you give up the field as a whole and the possibility of contributing to the field.
I would like to be a professional programmer, but also a lifelong learner in the field of computer science. Am I naive to think this is possible?
Answer
I am a professional programmer with a PhD.
I have had a colleague, who was working as a programmer and continued even publishing in his unrelated field (chemical engineering/textiles), so if you are dedicated, it is even easier for you to do, since your area might be related, but still it is not a light undertaking. But if you can find a more research heavy R&D position in the industry, of course that would make it easier.
I am personally planning to teach adjunct classes, to keep me fresh about theoretical basis.
Hope my two cents helps.
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