What I'd do as a College Freshman in 2025

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Do Computer Science

Absolutely. Still would.

Many are spooked by LLMs. Some, like Jensen Huang, argue that "nobody has to learn how to program."  

I argue the opposite. And I double down. 

Being supported by AI tools is not a substitute for mastery. You can’t borrow skills. You have to earn them.  

Computer science builds vital skills: hacking, debugging, abstract thinking, and quick adaptation. These don’t go out of style.  

Do STEM. It’s LLM-resistant. LLMs can retrieve and remix information, but do you know what to do with them? Like the dog chasing the car, what now? STEM teaches you that. It teaches you to think, to reason, to act. It gets you from information to wisdom. But only after you've mastered the foundations.

We're heading into the age of π-shaped people: depth in two areas, and generalist across. Building depth first, and then ranging is good strategy.  

So yes, I would learn the foundations of both CS and AI. And then do AI + X, where X is systems, databases, or PL. These combos are powerful.


Build Soft Skills

You can't skip these. Soft skills are indispensible, classic Lindy.

Clear communication matters more than ever:

  • for working with others (especially remotely)
  • for building in the open
  • for working with LLMs.

Management skills matters too. Not just for leading teams, but also for leading yourself. Self-help book gets mocked for their vacuous/repetitive advice, but they are useful for the querying/investigating they ignite in you. Know yourself. Then fool yourself into greatness.

You don’t need a title to lead teams. Influence scales from the bottom. You have more leverage and autonomy than you realize, especially early in your career.


Stay in the U.S. Stay in College

Despite the noise, U.S. is still the best launchpad for a tech career. It has the resources, companies, and a decent (but imperfect) merit system.

Despite losing face, colleges still provide value. Credentialism is fading, but community isn't. College is still the best place to meet smart people, get inspired, and build with peers. Don't waste it competing and just following lectures. Learn from each other. Take initiative. Start things.


Be a Jeep or a Ferrari. Not a Corolla.

Be entrepreneurial. Be effectual. Effectual thinking is messy yet powerful. It starts with what you have. You act, learn, improvise. You don't wait for perfect conditions; you shape them.

My friend Mahesh Balakrishnan put it best: on his dream team, he wants Jeeps or Ferraris. Jeeps go anywhere. No roads, no map. Just point them at a challenge. Ferraris go fast --but only with a good road. What he doesn't want is Corollas. They are slow and they still need roads.

So here's the corollary (yes, pun intended):

  1. Be entrepreneurial. Be a Jeep.  
  2. If you must follow plans, be a Ferrari. Specialized, fast, precise.
  3. Don't be a Corolla. In the age of AI, that gets automated.

No shade to Corollas--I’ve owned two. Great cars: reliable, economical, and yes, easily replaceable. But this is about professional growth. In tech, aim higher. Don’t be a commodity.


Play the Long Game

Tech rewards leverage, not shortcuts. Optimize for momentum and stack useful skills, relationships, and systems. Compounding is the strongest force in your career.

Don’t chase trends. Understand them. Ride the ones that match your strengths. Learn to take a step back, and aim for depth, clarity, and direction.


Here is more unsolicited advice from me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I feel like a Camry, post that analogy. Will work on being a Lexus at least.
April 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
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