[JamesSmith100]

I've always had this dream to found my own technology company. So I'm considering studying computer science at university to "open more opportunities". All of a sudden, I came up with multiple ironic questions with computer scientists and what they do/what I want to do.

In terms of "Science & Technology", computer scientists contribute to "technology" more than "science" itself since it's all about studying computations more than knowledge of the universe right? Yet they are called scientists. I know it's a formal science, but usually you don't call economists "social scientists", right?

Question #1: Computer scientists have a wrong name?

I want to found a technology company and I want to manage it (CEO). But will I still have time to manage my company while also doing research?

Question #2: Do CEOs still have time to do research in computer science?

Last question is probably the most complex one. What is the difference between studying a BS, MS & PhD in computer science, in terms of power/knowledge?

Question #3: What can I get from studying a BS? How about a MS? How about going for a PhD in computer science?

I've posted the same question on College Confidential but some american students chose to view my question as a dumb one. I really need some help from students around here, please give me some advice, thank you!

[mailmerge]

(Original post by JamesSmith100)
snip

Question #1: Computer scientists have a wrong name?
Probably. It's definitely more of an engineering field to me, but neither computer engineering or software engineering are right either. Depends how you split technology and science, I guess ("studying computations" is definitely maths/science, though).

Question #2: Do CEOs still have time to do research in computer science?
A lot of CS departments have a few spin-off ventures based on research. I can't name one where the CEO is the lead academic, though. Obviously depends on the company size.

Question #3: What can I get from studying a BS? How about a MS? How about going for a PhD in computer science?
Just take it a step at a time, because you'll have a completely different idea about your future by the end of your BS. They're all fairly worthless without experience of the real world.

[PrinceyJ]

(Original post by JamesSmith100)
I want to found a technology company and I want to manage it (CEO).

Unless you are EXTREMELY talented and sweat creativity this isn't going to be an immediate realisation.

[TheUnbeliever]

Question #1: Computer scientists have a wrong name?

I think so, but it doesn't especially matter, and not least because distinctions between subjects are made for convenience rather than because of fundamental distinctions. Your example isn't that great, either: social science is a fairly large research field, and its practitioners are indeed called social scientists.

Question #2: Do CEOs still have time to do research in computer science?

There will be some examples, I'm sure - but CEO is a business position, not a technical one. However, there's nothing to say that a founder need hold that position. For example, my understanding is that Sergey Brin is heavily involved in Google's 'Blue Sky' research projects.

(Original post by PrinceyJ)
Unless you are EXTREMELY talented and sweat creativity this isn't going to be an immediate realisation.

The advice I got from several entrepreneurs (of varying levels of experience) was that whilst a great idea helps, the real focus should be on persistence and investment. Most startups will fail, so the ability to dust yourself up and roll onto the next project, and do this repeatedly until something sticks is one of the distinguishing factors of entrepreneurship. Before I get torn to shreds, they obviously weren't saying that nothing else matters, but the takeaway seemed to be that - as with many things - the balance between the importance of 'hard work' and 'inspired innovation' doesn't fall where people often think.