WHAT CAN I DO WITH COMPUTER SCIENCE?

"Computers are to design as microwaves are to cooking." - Milton Glaser 

In the ever-evolving field of computer science, strong problem-solving skills are essential. You'll often face challenges like failed code tests or long project sprints, requiring flexibility and critical thinking to overcome. Success in this field also demands the ability to analyze problems from all angles, alongside creativity to innovate and find new solutions once the technical aspects are mastered.

WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer science is the study of computers, systems, and the principles behind them, covering both theoretical and practical aspects like software design, algorithms, and problem-solving.

This degree opens up many opportunities in the digital era, ideal for problem-solvers passionate about technology. Topics include computational processes, web development, robot programming, and data analysis. At its core, computer science relies on mathematics, making it perfect for critical thinkers with a strong interest in math, software, or hardware.

KEY AREAS INCLUDE

• Algorithms and Data Structures: How to solve problems efficiently and organize data in a way that allows easy access and manipulation.

• Software Engineering: The process of designing, building, testing, and maintaining software systems.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Teaching computers to learn from data and make decisions based on that learning.

• Computer Networks: How computers communicate with each other over the internet or other networks.

• Cybersecurity: Protecting systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.

• Human-Computer Interaction: Designing computer interfaces that are intuitive and easy for people to use.

• Database Systems: How to store, retrieve, and manage large amounts of data.

• Theoretical Computer Science: The mathematical foundations of computation, such as computation theory and algorithms.

It's a broad and constantly evolving field that has applications in almost every aspect of modern life, from mobile apps to artificial intelligence to data analysis.

WHAT COURSES WILL YOU LIKELY STUDY AS A COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT?

CALCULUS

Calculus forms the groundwork for any computer science or computer information systems degree. This covers key concepts like trigonometric, polynomial, composite and rational differentiation functions. You’ll also learn indefinite integration, curve sketching and related rates. As you progress, you’ll likely study series, sequences and engage with topics covering fluid pressure and volumes.

STATISTICS

Starting with the basics of elementary statistics, aims to empower students with a concrete understanding of subjects like regression, central tendency, correlation, variability, hypothesis testing and standard deviation. Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to better grasp other mathematical concepts.

COMPUTER SCIENCE - DIRECT

Gives students first-hand experience with various software development factors, such as debuggers, test plans and algorithm development. As you get deeper into the computer science courses, you’ll likely learn more about polymorphism, GUI programming and data structures.

POSSIBLE CAREERS

A computer science degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. Here are some potential career paths and roles you could pursue with a computer science degree:

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER/ENGINEER - $105,000 range

·       What you do: Design, develop, and maintain software applications, from mobile apps to enterprise-level systems.

·       Industries: Tech companies, finance, healthcare, gaming, education.

DATA SCIENTIST/ANALYST - $122,000 range

·       What you do: Analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights and help organizations make data-driven decisions.

·       Skills needed: Statistics, machine learning, data visualization, SQL.

·       Industries: Tech, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, government.

CYBERSECURITY ANALYST/ENGINEER - $130,000 range

·       What you do: Protect organizations from cyber threats by securing networks, systems, and sensitive data.

·       Skills needed: Knowledge of security protocols, risk management, ethical hacking.

·       Industries: Government, tech, finance, defense.

AI / MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER - $144,000 range

·       What you do: Develop intelligent systems and algorithms that enable machines to learn and make decisions.

·       Skills needed: Machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, Python, TensorFlow.

·       Industries: Tech, healthcare, finance, autonomous vehicles.

SYSTEMS ARCHITECT - $149,000 range

·       What you do: Design complex IT systems, from hardware to software, to meet an organization’s needs.

·       Skills needed: Systems design, networking, cloud computing, project management.

·       Industries: Tech, finance, large enterprises.

WEB DEVELOPER - $69,000 range

·       What you do: Build and maintain websites and web applications, focusing on both front-end (user interface) and back-end (server-side) development.

·       Skills needed: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, databases, frameworks like React, Node.js.

·       Industries: Tech, e-commerce, media, startups.

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR (DBA) - $130,000 range

·       What you do: Manage and organize databases to ensure data is accessible, secure, and optimized for performance.

·       Skills needed: SQL, database design, performance tuning, backup and recovery.

·       Industries: Tech, finance, healthcare, retail.

CLOUD ENGINEER - $130,000 range

·       What you do: Build and manage cloud infrastructure to support applications and services in the cloud (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).

·       Skills needed: Cloud platforms, automation, networking, DevOps practices.

·       Industries: Tech, enterprise IT, finance, e-commerce.

GAME DEVELOPER - $65,000 range

·       What you do: Design and develop video games, from concept to execution.

·       Skills needed: Game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine), programming languages, graphics.

·       Industries: Gaming, entertainment, education.

DEVOPS ENGINEER - $125,000 range

·       What you do: Bridge the gap between software development and IT operations, ensuring that software is developed, tested, and deployed efficiently.

·       Skills needed: Automation tools, cloud computing, CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment), scripting.

·       Industries: Tech, finance, enterprise IT.

MOBILE APP DEVELOPER - $69,000 range

·       What you do: Design and develop applications for mobile devices (iOS or Android).

·       Skills needed: Mobile development languages (Swift, Kotlin, Java), UI/UX design.

·       Industries: Tech, entertainment, e-commerce, healthcare.

BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER - $146,000 range

·       What you do: Develop applications based on blockchain technology, such as cryptocurrency platforms or decentralized applications (dApps).

·       Skills needed: Blockchain frameworks, cryptography, smart contracts.

·       Industries: Fintech, crypto, supply chain, healthcare.

IT CONSULTANT - $85,000 range

·       What you do: Advise businesses on how to use technology to meet their goals, improve efficiency, and solve problems.

·       Skills needed: Communication, project management, technical knowledge.

·       Industries: Tech, healthcare, retail, government.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST - $116,000 range

·       What you do: Conduct research in areas like artificial intelligence, algorithms, or computational theory to push the boundaries of computer science.

·       Skills needed: Deep theoretical knowledge, research methodology.

·       Industries: Academia, tech, research institutions.

UX/UI DESIGNER - $47,000 range

·       What you do: Design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of websites and applications, focusing on making them intuitive and user-friendly.

·       Skills needed: Design software (Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma), user research, prototyping.

·       Industries: Tech, e-commerce, media.

TECHNICAL WRITER - $80,000 range

·       What you do: Write manuals, documentation, and help guides for software applications, systems, or technologies.

·       Skills needed: Writing skills, technical knowledge, communication.

·       Industries: Tech, software, electronics.

ENTREPRENEUR / STARTUP FOUNDER - ???

·       What you do: Start your own tech company or venture, leveraging your computer science skills to build a product or service.

·       Skills needed: Business acumen, coding skills, product development.

·       Industries: Tech, healthcare, e-commerce.

CONCLUSION

A computer science degree offers versatility and the potential to work in many fields, as almost every industry today relies on technology. Whether you're interested in development, security, research, or something more creative like gaming or UX design, the opportunities are vast. Additionally, many roles have the potential to offer high salaries, flexibility (like remote work), and the chance to work on innovative, cutting-edge technologies.