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How competitive is the computer science environment and how can I succeed in it?
I am a high school student interested in majoring and pursuing a career in #computer-science.
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5 answers
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Hanley’s Answer
Database, SQL specifically.
Although there aren't nearly enough programmers and network people in the US to satisfy the need, database skills are woefully short in supply and very high in demand. Most CS programs don't require a lot of database classes to graduate, usually 1 or 2 semesters, so that supply isn't getting filled or it's being filled by underprepared people who are learning on the job.
Take extra database classes. Learn SQL query language and SQL Server administration. It will pay off. That's the simplest, best answer I can give.
Although there aren't nearly enough programmers and network people in the US to satisfy the need, database skills are woefully short in supply and very high in demand. Most CS programs don't require a lot of database classes to graduate, usually 1 or 2 semesters, so that supply isn't getting filled or it's being filled by underprepared people who are learning on the job.
Take extra database classes. Learn SQL query language and SQL Server administration. It will pay off. That's the simplest, best answer I can give.
Updated
Satheesh K’s Answer
Its not very competitive.
Its easy to get an IT job if you are born and studied here in US, but make sure you complete your Bachelors degree.
If you don’t want to do coding, its fine. There are 100s and 1000s of other IT jobs, which are not filled.
So join any internship with any company and they will give you options to choose.
Its very easy. Don’t believe in people with negative attitude.
Ping me if you need further assistance.
Its easy to get an IT job if you are born and studied here in US, but make sure you complete your Bachelors degree.
If you don’t want to do coding, its fine. There are 100s and 1000s of other IT jobs, which are not filled.
So join any internship with any company and they will give you options to choose.
Its very easy. Don’t believe in people with negative attitude.
Ping me if you need further assistance.
Updated
Leo’s Answer
I see that you live in the US. Here, it can be quite competitive. You'll be competing with people from all over the world -- literally -- so that automatically raises the stakes.
Things you can do to succeed in this field:
* Study well. I wouldn't bother memorizing *everything*. Instead, focus on understanding how things work. Some people focus on getting a high GPA. I'm not sure how much that helps, but it doesn't hurt either (I didn't bother with the GPA, and here I am).
* Learn how to learn on your own. Once you've finished studying, you'll have to continue to learn new things -- only you won't have a teacher to ask questions to. If you can learn on your own, you'll be fine.
* Focus on what's important and deliver. This is the bottom line, really: can you do the job or not? You can have the best GPA in the world, but if you can't deliver on time, you won't succeed. Learn how to recognize what is _really_ needed to deliver something and then do it.
* Be nice to others. No one likes a hotshot that is a jerk. In this field you'll most likely be a part of a larger team. But if no one wants to work with you, you won't succeed.
* Make an internship. This will help you get experience when applying for a job.
* Solve coding exercises. This will help you in your job interview. There are tons of on-line resources for this. Get in the habit of solving these problems.
In short, I think it boils down to the following: If you put in the effort and you're patient, you'll be fine.
Things you can do to succeed in this field:
* Study well. I wouldn't bother memorizing *everything*. Instead, focus on understanding how things work. Some people focus on getting a high GPA. I'm not sure how much that helps, but it doesn't hurt either (I didn't bother with the GPA, and here I am).
* Learn how to learn on your own. Once you've finished studying, you'll have to continue to learn new things -- only you won't have a teacher to ask questions to. If you can learn on your own, you'll be fine.
* Focus on what's important and deliver. This is the bottom line, really: can you do the job or not? You can have the best GPA in the world, but if you can't deliver on time, you won't succeed. Learn how to recognize what is _really_ needed to deliver something and then do it.
* Be nice to others. No one likes a hotshot that is a jerk. In this field you'll most likely be a part of a larger team. But if no one wants to work with you, you won't succeed.
* Make an internship. This will help you get experience when applying for a job.
* Solve coding exercises. This will help you in your job interview. There are tons of on-line resources for this. Get in the habit of solving these problems.
In short, I think it boils down to the following: If you put in the effort and you're patient, you'll be fine.
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Computer Science is a very broad field with ramification on just about anything we do. So sky is the limit as far as opportunities. Some areas are quite competitive such Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML). One thing to keep in mind is that there is more to computer science than just programming. A 4 year degree in Computer Science is definitely a good step forward in letting you experiment with various aspects of CS.
Updated
alexander’s Answer
Competitive-- Very
Opportunity --endless
..., well until AI self programing takes over
The field is not like a sport, there is not 1 winner for the bracket so to speak. Simply put, if you like computer science, coding, sql, data, etc. you culd be very successful.
The need is not technical perfection, the field's most successful members can see the big picture, can troubleshoot and come up with solutions for problems.
Opportunity --endless
..., well until AI self programing takes over
The field is not like a sport, there is not 1 winner for the bracket so to speak. Simply put, if you like computer science, coding, sql, data, etc. you culd be very successful.
The need is not technical perfection, the field's most successful members can see the big picture, can troubleshoot and come up with solutions for problems.