Is ComputerScience a very competitive Career Path?

Hi Terrell,

Thanks for your question. Computer Science is competitive in the sense that getting the "top jobs", e.g. Google, Amazon, and other big name tech companies; however, the job outlook is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor, it's expected that job growth for Computer Systems Analysts will grow 21% faster than all occupations and the demand for Information Security Analysts will grow 18% faster. On the other hand, the demand for Computer Programmers is expected to decline by about 8% over the next several years.

Link to the BLS IT/Computer Science careers page:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

To give you an example of what a typical Computer Science degree program looks like I pulled up the City University of New York's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program:

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/compsci/upload/Requirements-for-B-S-Computer-Science-Spring-2012.pdf

Note that you'll need to have strong math skills including calculus, algebra, and discrete mathematics. You'll also need to have a solid programming foundation.

You can also take a variety of free online courses to help get your skills up to speed.

KhanAcademy.org has a lot of free courses on topics ranging from math to computing.

You can also take a free Computer Science 101 course online through Coursera & Stanford (this course will really help you decide if Computer Science is a good fit for you):

https://www.coursera.org/course/cs101

Thanks again for your questions and please continue to post on this thread if you need anything else.

Hi,
Good question, Computer Science or IT (information technology) can be competitive but can also be very rewarding both professionally and financially. Some IT candidates are in high demand, especially if you have special and specific certification like cyber security, networking and cloud certifications, training and experience. The IT field does require you to keep learning about new technologies and stay current on your knowledge and skills.
For example, when I took my first IT course in college...back in the 1980s, computers were the size of a room and there was not the internet that we all know and use today...now they fit in our pockets!
Good luck.

In preparation for college, I would suggest that you contact the school and get a list of things you will need. That list will differ if you plan to live on campus or if you are staying home. Start now getting the things as many student will be doing it last minute and this will make sure you get your pick of those needed items.

If you have not done so, attend freshmen orientation. There you will get a lot of information about your major and the school. I let my daughter go on campus a few different times the semester before she enrolled so that she would get a feel for campus life and the student body. This will help you adjust and learn the buildings BEFORE you have to and will put you a step ahead of those who dont do it.

FInd out the support services offered at the school and sign up for them early. As you transition, it best to have network in place to assist you so that you make the most of your college experience.

Good Luck!