Ask HN: Does hobby programming result in students losing interest in science?

Maybe. I got a degree in Chemistry, but I am now a web developer. I programmed for years as a hobby, but the real world made me switch. I looked as the prospects for Chemistry: an entry level job barely above minimum wage often or a decade more of education for barely more. And the prospects for WebDev on the West Coast: you already know if you are on HN.

Also I was treated very poorly as a research assistant in undergrad. Programming and technology is largely very welcoming to newcomers. However, no one wanted to listen to my ideas because I didn't have 15 years of degrees and a title with 3 different abbreviations.

It wasn't that Chemistry was less interesting, it just had much higher barriers for much lower payout. And you only get to live once.

I have a PhD in physics, and I wasn't a fan of academia, and my specialty isn't in demand in the private sector. So back to computing. I think the priority of the US is in tech not basic science. I also wanted to make some money, passion will only carry one so far when you are living month to month on a PhD's salary. I am thankful I had programming to fall back on.

I think I am grateful I failed to make it as a professional scientist, my lifestyle if much healthier as a software engineer. My job is not my identity, I work normal hours, I can take time off, I found new hobbies, I sleep more, I can stop working without guilt.

No. It just pays more. If I were sufficiently wealthy I would return to physics and never touch programming again as a job.

I dunno. I got a PhD in physics and didn't like the culture and wound up back at my roots in computing.