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what is it like to work in the computer science field
i am a 9th grader ,who has B+ grades . #computer-science #computer #technology #computer-science
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5 answers
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Mickael’s Answer
Hi Aditi,
As other people already said before me, Computer Science is vast. There are two main parts: the software part and the hardware parts.
The latter deals with either building hardware or maintaining it. Computer needs hardware to run and hardware engineers are here to provide it. CPU, GPU, network adapter, switch, hard drive, flash drives, RAM, motherboard are just non-exhaustive list of examples. Also, hardware components are now smart and usually run some piece of software (usually called firmware) that needs to be developed (like a software engineer). Finally, hardware components require drivers to be usable by an Operating System (like Windows or MacOS ) and that is an additional piece of software. But usually, these are very simple compared to bigger software. Hardware part requires to know Electronic/electricity and some boolean/logic mathematics. You may even need some digital signal processing knwoledge.
For the software counter part, this is about writing code, in various language to achieve some automation. This can be low level like processing some signal to very high level like web page (and all that goes behind) to configuring system, to help customers debugging their issues. This is very very broad area, but the common part is working with software, not hardware. Knowledge in algorithm, data structure, some maths (like calculus and/or statistics) may help depending where/what you want to work on, protocols, computer architecture would be technical useful skills.
It is going to be very hard to give you a full answer as this is too broad but I hope this starting point will help.
As other people already said before me, Computer Science is vast. There are two main parts: the software part and the hardware parts.
The latter deals with either building hardware or maintaining it. Computer needs hardware to run and hardware engineers are here to provide it. CPU, GPU, network adapter, switch, hard drive, flash drives, RAM, motherboard are just non-exhaustive list of examples. Also, hardware components are now smart and usually run some piece of software (usually called firmware) that needs to be developed (like a software engineer). Finally, hardware components require drivers to be usable by an Operating System (like Windows or MacOS ) and that is an additional piece of software. But usually, these are very simple compared to bigger software. Hardware part requires to know Electronic/electricity and some boolean/logic mathematics. You may even need some digital signal processing knwoledge.
For the software counter part, this is about writing code, in various language to achieve some automation. This can be low level like processing some signal to very high level like web page (and all that goes behind) to configuring system, to help customers debugging their issues. This is very very broad area, but the common part is working with software, not hardware. Knowledge in algorithm, data structure, some maths (like calculus and/or statistics) may help depending where/what you want to work on, protocols, computer architecture would be technical useful skills.
It is going to be very hard to give you a full answer as this is too broad but I hope this starting point will help.
Thank you!
Aditi
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
You may choose to go with either a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree where Computer Science is business orientated and Computer Engineering is engineering/scientific orientated. Both of these degrees should allow you to work in almost any industry so the type of company, kind of work, or product is extremely broad. If you choose Computer Science, you will likely work in an office while someone with a Computer Engineering degree will likely have at least some exposure to working in a lab, manufacturing plant, or even outside.
Since the capabilities of computers are constantly growing, I can pretty much predict that your career will be a constant source of new challenges and learning (I find it to be extremely stimulating). Because of the constant changes, you will have many options to learn new things so your career should "evolve" over time. This allows you to switch technologies and jobs depending on your interests and the opportunities that present themselves.
Since the capabilities of computers are constantly growing, I can pretty much predict that your career will be a constant source of new challenges and learning (I find it to be extremely stimulating). Because of the constant changes, you will have many options to learn new things so your career should "evolve" over time. This allows you to switch technologies and jobs depending on your interests and the opportunities that present themselves.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Aditi
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
In Computer Science, there are a wide variety of jobs that you can work on. E.g. Development, Application Support, System Support, System Administrator, Database Administrator, etc. Each of them these jobs require different expertise and have different responsibilities,
Each of these jobs can also be refined into specialized area. E.g. There are different kinds of developers - Web Developer, Apps Developer, System Development, In house Application Developer, etc. Taking an example of developers : Their usually work in teams. Team work is essential in Tech. Developer may work on projects on new app / feature development. Sometimes, they may work on existing software enhancement or fix. Developers may divide the development work and unit test among their team. Therefore, communication among the team members is crucial.
If you are interested on the life of working in IT, you can try to speak to someone who actually working in the industry to acquire understanding or you can also look for intern opportunities.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Each of these jobs can also be refined into specialized area. E.g. There are different kinds of developers - Web Developer, Apps Developer, System Development, In house Application Developer, etc. Taking an example of developers : Their usually work in teams. Team work is essential in Tech. Developer may work on projects on new app / feature development. Sometimes, they may work on existing software enhancement or fix. Developers may divide the development work and unit test among their team. Therefore, communication among the team members is crucial.
If you are interested on the life of working in IT, you can try to speak to someone who actually working in the industry to acquire understanding or you can also look for intern opportunities.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Your advice was so helpful!
Aditi
Updated
M’s Answer
Computer scientists use technology to address a wide range of issues. They work on projects such as space exploration, analyzing the gene code of deadly viruses, and developing software that allows autonomous drones or robots to carry out their missions.
As a computer scientist, you might work on utility grids and generation equipment, develop software for mobile phones, develop (or upgrade) navigation systems, or create websites.
People with computer science or similar degrees can be found working in just about any field.
As a computer scientist, you might work on utility grids and generation equipment, develop software for mobile phones, develop (or upgrade) navigation systems, or create websites.
People with computer science or similar degrees can be found working in just about any field.
Updated
PRASANJIT’s Answer
In computer science fields , employers will want to hire people with skills to: Create and analyses algorithms, software design and programming in different programming languages, such as C, Java, C++, Python, C#. Collect, analyses and interpret data and information. Design, develop and use computer systems for solving problems.