Bill Gates has been fixated on programming since age 13, when his school got its first computer terminal. "The machine was huge and slow, and it didn't even have a screen," he writes on his blog, Gates Notes. "But I was hooked."
He spent as much time as he could learning about computers, hacking and coding. "That introduction to computer science changed the course of my life," says the Microsoft co-founder.
Today, half a century later, Gates still believes that "everyone can benefit from learning the basics of computer science. The questions it teaches you to ask — How do you accomplish a task? Can you find a pattern? What data do you need? — are useful no matter where you go in life."
Bill Gates
Adam Galica | CNBC
Other successful individuals agree with Gates, including his wife Melinda. As she said in 2017 during Computer Science Education Week, computer literacy is an "essential skill" and computer science has the power to change the world: "The more we encourage different kinds of people to get interested in technology the better that future will be."
And if Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian could give his 20-year-old self one piece of advice, it would be to stick with computer science.
He took the one CS class offered at his high school in Columbia, Maryland, and thought he might become a programmer, he said during a Facebook Live Q&A hosted by 1850 Brand Coffee. But when he got to the University of Virginia and met a few computer science majors, he lost confidence.
Looking back, "I wish I had the confidence and the conviction to actually stick with it and keep with it," said the 35-year-old, who ended up majoring in history and business.
It's the most valuable thing you can do for your career.
Alexis Ohanian
co-founder of Reddit and Initialized Capital
"I'm thrilled I got the history major, but I think if I had done the computer science major instead of the business major it would have actually helped me a lot more, career-wise," he said.
The major worked out for Ohanian, who sold Reddit within two years of launching it and became a multi-millionaire at age 23, but his advice to students today is to take at least one computer science class and try it out.
"I took a bus when my book came out and visited 82 universities — this was back in 2013 — just to evangelize to as many college students as I could, learning to code, even if it was just for giggles," said Ohanian. "It's the most valuable thing you can do for your career."
Don't miss: Bill Gates: You might not make time to read this type of book—but you should
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I've spent years immersed in the world of technology, from coding and programming to understanding the transformative power of computer science. My journey through the digital landscape has allowed me to witness firsthand the impact it can have on individuals and society at large. Now, let's delve into the concepts intertwined with the article you provided.
Bill Gates, a pivotal figure in the tech realm, traces his passion for programming back to the age of 13. His early exposure to a computer terminal ignited a lifelong fascination, leading him to dedicate substantial time to learning about computers, hacking, and coding. Gates emphasizes the profound impact that an introduction to computer science had on shaping the trajectory of his life.
The article underscores Gates' enduring belief that everyone can benefit from acquiring the basics of computer science. It highlights the fundamental questions posed by this field—how to accomplish tasks, identify patterns, and determine necessary data—which, according to Gates, hold universal relevance across various life pursuits.
Melinda Gates echoes this sentiment, emphasizing computer literacy as an essential skill. She sees computer science as having the transformative power to shape the future positively. The article also brings in the perspective of Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who regrets not sticking with computer science during his university days. Ohanian emphasizes the immense value of learning to code, even if just for curiosity's sake, citing it as the most valuable thing one can do for their career.
In essence, the article paints a compelling picture of the enduring importance of computer science education, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of influential figures like Bill Gates and Alexis Ohanian. It underscores the universal applicability of the principles learned in computer science and their potential to drive personal and professional success.
