In a world filled with complex career guides and convoluted advice, sometimes the most profound insights come from a simple, direct answer. That’s precisely what one student, Loa, received when they emailed Google’s AI lead, Jeff Dean, asking what it’s like to be a computer scientist and whether he would recommend the job. Dean’s heartfelt and clear-eyed response is a masterclass for anyone considering a career in tech.
Dean, a longtime Googler and legendary figure in the field of computer science and artificial intelligence, distilled the essence of the profession, offering a compelling look into the mind of a software engineer and a simple litmus test for aspiring students.
A Career in Solving Puzzles
At its core, Jeff Dean sees the work of a computer scientist as a creative and intellectual challenge. He bypasses industry jargon and instead uses a powerful, accessible analogy: puzzle-solving.
“I love being a computer scientist!” Dean wrote. “Writing software is like continuously being presented with puzzles, large and small, that you get to think through and identify the best way to solve.”
This perspective frames the job not as a dry, mechanical task of writing code, but as a dynamic process of critical thinking and problem-solving. It’s a career for those who are driven by curiosity and the satisfaction of finding an elegant solution.
Unparalleled Impact and Collaboration
Beyond the intellectual thrill, Dean highlights the incredible scale and impact the work can have. In the digital age, a piece of software can touch the lives of billions, a fact Dean emphasizes by pointing to everyday marvels of technology.
“Your work can be used by hundreds or thousands or millions or billions of people,“ he explained, “and can deliver really useful capabilities to people (think of all the major services on the Internet, from search to email to video sharing to maps to translation to AI conversation services to …).”
However, this world-changing work isn’t done in isolation. Dean also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the stimulating environment it creates. He describes his colleagues as “amazing… smart, insightful, fun and ambitious, and who are continually teaching me new things.” This paints a picture of a vibrant, collaborative field where continuous learning is part of the culture. The modern tech landscape, he implies, is built on collective genius, not lone wolves.
The Litmus Test: Is It For You?
So, who is this career for? After describing the nature and impact of the work, along with the modern flexibility of being able to work from “the office most days, to working from home sometimes, to working in a pleasant cafe,” Dean provides a simple and direct qualification.
His final piece of advice serves as a clear-cut guide for any student weighing their options.
“If you like math and logic and figuring out the best way to solve problems, you should definitely consider computer science as a career path.”
It’s that simple. Dean’s advice cuts through the noise, focusing on the fundamental passions that drive success in the field: a love for logic and an innate desire to find the “best way” to solve a problem. It’s a timeless piece of guidance from one of the industry’s most respected minds.