4 answers
Bree
Student
Kirkland, Washington
4
Questions
Asked
740 views
Need help with picking a college, getting into college, and choosing a right career.
I am thinking I might want to go away to college in California (particularly southern california). I am currently in Washington State, and am looking to become a software engineer, or at least something in that field (e.g. comp sci). I would like to know:
a. Which colleges in Southern California are good for computer science/software engineers?
b. What degree would I need to get to become a software engineer?
c. Do you see a software engineer as still a prevalent job in the future? I am currently in 9th grade and want to make sure they will still be around, and still making good money.
d. If you think software engineers will soon die out, what are some similar career options?
e. What are some steps to take in my time in highschool to help get me to where I want to be?
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4 answers
Spencer Barron
Social Studies Teacher
1
Answer
Catonsville, Maryland
Updated
Spencer’s Answer
Need help with picking a college, getting into college, and choosing a right career.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your question. I’d like to help paint a picture both for you and other potential people in similar situations.
Picking a college is not an easy thing! The first few things to consider are if you’re going to be if you have a strong application. Seeing what your GPA, test scores, letters of recommendation from multiple people, and extra curriculars that could stand out.
From there it’s best to know what field you would like to get into. If you’re unsure of the “industry”, “sector”, or “space” it might behoove you to apply to community colleges for an associates transfer studies program. Saves you money, more accessible advisors, and flexibility in schedule building if you’re working. Not to mention the upside of boosting your GPA if in high school it was a little lower than to your liking.
From there you can gather more insight of the colleges that are more connected for particular fields.
Choosing a career isn’t easy so it’s best to write a list to some degree of either fields you can see aligning with your interests and or contacting people you might know in particular fields that can help clue you in if particular organizations or jobs would be a good outcome after completing college.
Hope this helps! Please reach out with anything that stands out from this.
Warm regards,
Spencer
Hello! Thank you for sharing your question. I’d like to help paint a picture both for you and other potential people in similar situations.
Picking a college is not an easy thing! The first few things to consider are if you’re going to be if you have a strong application. Seeing what your GPA, test scores, letters of recommendation from multiple people, and extra curriculars that could stand out.
From there it’s best to know what field you would like to get into. If you’re unsure of the “industry”, “sector”, or “space” it might behoove you to apply to community colleges for an associates transfer studies program. Saves you money, more accessible advisors, and flexibility in schedule building if you’re working. Not to mention the upside of boosting your GPA if in high school it was a little lower than to your liking.
From there you can gather more insight of the colleges that are more connected for particular fields.
Choosing a career isn’t easy so it’s best to write a list to some degree of either fields you can see aligning with your interests and or contacting people you might know in particular fields that can help clue you in if particular organizations or jobs would be a good outcome after completing college.
Hope this helps! Please reach out with anything that stands out from this.
Warm regards,
Spencer
Vinod Kone
Engineering Management
8
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Vinod’s Answer
UCLA, USC, UCSD, and UCSB are excellent choices for studying Computer Science. The field of software engineering is here to stay, and even if it changes, the skills you acquire will serve you for a lifetime. Pursue Computer Science in college to kickstart your career. Make the most of internships and bootcamps to gain hands-on experience. While in school, focus on programming, statistics, and mathematics to build a strong foundation.
Vamshee Gunturu
Principal Engineer
187
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Vamshee’s Answer
Great Questions from a 9th Grade Student.
a. Which colleges in Southern California are good for computer science/software engineers?
The following schools in CA offer good programs in Software engineering and cheaper if you are CA resident.
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
This website provides rankings and tools to compare the universities by major.
find the top 10 schools for Computer Science Engineering..
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/computer-science-overall?study=Computer+and+Information+Sciences+and+Support+Services&_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc
Look into colleges in SCal and find out the prerequisites for the computer science major and see which ones are within your reach based on your credentials... have a good Statement of Purpose, over all good student profile will help you increase your chances of getting admission.
Considering Cost of tuition, cost of living will help you decide which one works best for you.
Going to instate colleges are cost effective if its an option for you.
b. What degree would I need to get to become a software engineer?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best fields for anyone interested in becoming a Software Engineer are computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering, but any other bachelor’s degree programs related to computer systems or computer software should be enough to begin a software engineering career (of course, a master’s degree will always help you stand out in a job hunt, and many Software Engineers do have one).
c. Do you see a software engineer as still a prevalent job in the future? I am currently in 9th grade and want to make sure they will still be around, and still making good money.
Software jobs will here stay for long , the filed is still evolving if you can take major or specialization in new tech like AI or Machine Learning or Robotics etc.. they are more specialized fields .
d. If you think software engineers will soon die out, what are some similar career options?
They dont die out soon...you can learn new software tools or technologies to be in more demand and get better career and salary
e. What are some steps to take in my time in highschool to help get me to where I want to be?
You can make an appointment with your school counselors, they are very helpful and guide you in this process.
In the mean time , you can read the following to get an idea.
What do colleges look for?
Admissions officers review many factors in a student’s application, but in general, they are looking to see that you have made the most out of your entire high school education.
Plan out what classes and extracurriculars you’d like to take as early as possible to have a reliable trajectory to follow throughout your high school career. Not only will this allow you to utilize your four years in high school intelligently, but this will also mitigate the chances of unpreparedness and procrastination when it's actually time for college applications. There is nothing more stressful than realizing you have multiple unfulfilled requirements during your junior year of high school.
As you are selecting your high school classes, keep in mind that admissions officers like to see that you’ve challenged yourself. That means taking honors or college prep classes, like Advanced Placement (AP.) Again, colleges favor students who have pushed themselves out of their comfort zone, so you can demonstrate that by taking higher-level courses in subjects that you excel in.
What GPA do I need to get into college?
Grades play a significant role in the college admissions process. With that being said, there is no black-or-white answer when it comes to your GPA and college applications.
There is no specific GPA you need to get into college, and what GPA you need to stand out in the application process will vary from college to college. In general, to get into any four-year college, you should at least have a 2.0 GPA or higher. If you’re aiming to get into a more selective college (less than a 60% acceptance rate), then you should be aiming for at least a 3.5 GPA.
However, the aforementioned GPAs are just estimates, and it will not apply to every student or every college. Admissions officers often will not just look at the number, but they will consider other contextual factors.
For example, the way GPA is calculated varies from high school to high school, which means that a 4.0 at your high school may be viewed differently from a 4.0 at another high school. Moreover, the difficulty of your high school courses will impact the way an admissions officer views your GPA. If your GPA is lower than another student’s because you took more AP classes, then that will play a huge factor in how a college will regard your GPA.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your GPA is not the only factor colleges look at. While it is a significant factor, admissions offices will also weigh your application essays, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation.
How can I increase my chances of getting into college?
GPA aside, there are many ways to beef up your college application in order to make an impact on an admissions officer.
Score high on the ACT/SAT
Write compelling essays and a personal statement
Demonstrate genuine interest in the college you are applying to
Secure strong letters of recommendation
Apply to multiple colleges
Utilize early admissions/early action to your top college
Manage your social media responsibly
Ask for help!
Should I consider tutoring to help me get into college?
Yes! Tutoring is an excellent way to support your college application process. If you are struggling in a class or your standardized testing, tutoring is a great way to level up your skills and gain confidence in any subject.
Some schools offers Peer tutoring/Afterschool tutoring with teachers which can be utilized.
Khan academy offers free courses and online videos for all grades, one can benefit from using this ...as long as one has good internet connection you can do it from your home or anywhere.
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Hope this helps to get some idea and have a head start
a. Which colleges in Southern California are good for computer science/software engineers?
The following schools in CA offer good programs in Software engineering and cheaper if you are CA resident.
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
This website provides rankings and tools to compare the universities by major.
find the top 10 schools for Computer Science Engineering..
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/computer-science-overall?study=Computer+and+Information+Sciences+and+Support+Services&_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc
Look into colleges in SCal and find out the prerequisites for the computer science major and see which ones are within your reach based on your credentials... have a good Statement of Purpose, over all good student profile will help you increase your chances of getting admission.
Considering Cost of tuition, cost of living will help you decide which one works best for you.
Going to instate colleges are cost effective if its an option for you.
b. What degree would I need to get to become a software engineer?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best fields for anyone interested in becoming a Software Engineer are computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering, but any other bachelor’s degree programs related to computer systems or computer software should be enough to begin a software engineering career (of course, a master’s degree will always help you stand out in a job hunt, and many Software Engineers do have one).
c. Do you see a software engineer as still a prevalent job in the future? I am currently in 9th grade and want to make sure they will still be around, and still making good money.
Software jobs will here stay for long , the filed is still evolving if you can take major or specialization in new tech like AI or Machine Learning or Robotics etc.. they are more specialized fields .
d. If you think software engineers will soon die out, what are some similar career options?
They dont die out soon...you can learn new software tools or technologies to be in more demand and get better career and salary
e. What are some steps to take in my time in highschool to help get me to where I want to be?
You can make an appointment with your school counselors, they are very helpful and guide you in this process.
In the mean time , you can read the following to get an idea.
What do colleges look for?
Admissions officers review many factors in a student’s application, but in general, they are looking to see that you have made the most out of your entire high school education.
Plan out what classes and extracurriculars you’d like to take as early as possible to have a reliable trajectory to follow throughout your high school career. Not only will this allow you to utilize your four years in high school intelligently, but this will also mitigate the chances of unpreparedness and procrastination when it's actually time for college applications. There is nothing more stressful than realizing you have multiple unfulfilled requirements during your junior year of high school.
As you are selecting your high school classes, keep in mind that admissions officers like to see that you’ve challenged yourself. That means taking honors or college prep classes, like Advanced Placement (AP.) Again, colleges favor students who have pushed themselves out of their comfort zone, so you can demonstrate that by taking higher-level courses in subjects that you excel in.
What GPA do I need to get into college?
Grades play a significant role in the college admissions process. With that being said, there is no black-or-white answer when it comes to your GPA and college applications.
There is no specific GPA you need to get into college, and what GPA you need to stand out in the application process will vary from college to college. In general, to get into any four-year college, you should at least have a 2.0 GPA or higher. If you’re aiming to get into a more selective college (less than a 60% acceptance rate), then you should be aiming for at least a 3.5 GPA.
However, the aforementioned GPAs are just estimates, and it will not apply to every student or every college. Admissions officers often will not just look at the number, but they will consider other contextual factors.
For example, the way GPA is calculated varies from high school to high school, which means that a 4.0 at your high school may be viewed differently from a 4.0 at another high school. Moreover, the difficulty of your high school courses will impact the way an admissions officer views your GPA. If your GPA is lower than another student’s because you took more AP classes, then that will play a huge factor in how a college will regard your GPA.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your GPA is not the only factor colleges look at. While it is a significant factor, admissions offices will also weigh your application essays, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation.
How can I increase my chances of getting into college?
GPA aside, there are many ways to beef up your college application in order to make an impact on an admissions officer.
Score high on the ACT/SAT
Write compelling essays and a personal statement
Demonstrate genuine interest in the college you are applying to
Secure strong letters of recommendation
Apply to multiple colleges
Utilize early admissions/early action to your top college
Manage your social media responsibly
Ask for help!
Should I consider tutoring to help me get into college?
Yes! Tutoring is an excellent way to support your college application process. If you are struggling in a class or your standardized testing, tutoring is a great way to level up your skills and gain confidence in any subject.
Some schools offers Peer tutoring/Afterschool tutoring with teachers which can be utilized.
Khan academy offers free courses and online videos for all grades, one can benefit from using this ...as long as one has good internet connection you can do it from your home or anywhere.
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Hope this helps to get some idea and have a head start
That makes sense. Thank you so much for actually taking the time to answer all my questions, I know that was a lot. :)
Bree
Anthony Ngo
40
Answers
Kirkland, Washington
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello Bree,
It had been a very long time since I did research for colleges and majors. I will try to answer your a-e questions:
a. Which colleges in Southern California are good for computer science/software engineers?
- If you want to go to a public school, any of the UC school (UCLA, UC Davis, UC Irvine...) all have good program in Computer Science program. If you look at private school, USC and CalTech are top schools. Since you are from Washington State and will have to pay out of state tuition, going to public or private university will not make much different.
b. What degree would I need to get to become a software engineer?
-Computer Science/Engineering will offer both software and hardware engineer. To be successful in one, you must also understand the other. Software will need hardware to run and hardware required Software to work. (Do not mistaken a programmer/coder with software engineer. People some time using them interchangeably.)
c. Do you see a software engineer as still a prevalent job in the future? I am currently in 9th grade and want to make sure they will still be around, and still making good money. d. If you think software engineers will soon die out, what are some similar career options?
-This field will not go away anytime soon. AI (artificial intelligence) can write limited codes now a day. But to do a complex system design you will need a lot of knowledge/expertise in this field. Software is not designed and implemented once and will work perfectly. It requires Constance analysis and improvements. But it become more and more competitive as more people enter the field (from within the US as well as oversea.) In general, you will make a pretty good living, especially if you are creative and have a lot of ideas. If you can use your ideas and creativities to solve (business) issues and needs, what you know will never become obsolete! Even the technology got old and become obsolete, there will always a need for works in maintaining or migrating systems. I remember when I graduated back in the 1990s, all the engineers already moved on and all forgotten about those banking systems that used Cobol and Fortran. But the demand for anyone who can understand and maintain these systems was so high that the salary was almost triple what other engineers would make. (Just to give you some idea if you think software engineer jobs will go away.)
e. What are some steps to take in my time in high school to help get me to where I want to be?
-Fortunately for you, Washington State have a 'Running Start' program that allow High School Junior and Senior to take class at community college or technical school (with credits counted toward college.) And there is a bill in Olympia that will allow Freshmen and Sophomore to do the same (I hope it will pass.) You should take advantage of this program (since your school district will cover the tuition) and start taking computer science related classes. Renton Tech and Lake Washington College have very good computer science program for the Running Start students. Also, your school (I remember my school had one) had robotic or computing club join it. Do not be afraid to explore and learn.
Good luck.
Anthony
It had been a very long time since I did research for colleges and majors. I will try to answer your a-e questions:
a. Which colleges in Southern California are good for computer science/software engineers?
- If you want to go to a public school, any of the UC school (UCLA, UC Davis, UC Irvine...) all have good program in Computer Science program. If you look at private school, USC and CalTech are top schools. Since you are from Washington State and will have to pay out of state tuition, going to public or private university will not make much different.
b. What degree would I need to get to become a software engineer?
-Computer Science/Engineering will offer both software and hardware engineer. To be successful in one, you must also understand the other. Software will need hardware to run and hardware required Software to work. (Do not mistaken a programmer/coder with software engineer. People some time using them interchangeably.)
c. Do you see a software engineer as still a prevalent job in the future? I am currently in 9th grade and want to make sure they will still be around, and still making good money. d. If you think software engineers will soon die out, what are some similar career options?
-This field will not go away anytime soon. AI (artificial intelligence) can write limited codes now a day. But to do a complex system design you will need a lot of knowledge/expertise in this field. Software is not designed and implemented once and will work perfectly. It requires Constance analysis and improvements. But it become more and more competitive as more people enter the field (from within the US as well as oversea.) In general, you will make a pretty good living, especially if you are creative and have a lot of ideas. If you can use your ideas and creativities to solve (business) issues and needs, what you know will never become obsolete! Even the technology got old and become obsolete, there will always a need for works in maintaining or migrating systems. I remember when I graduated back in the 1990s, all the engineers already moved on and all forgotten about those banking systems that used Cobol and Fortran. But the demand for anyone who can understand and maintain these systems was so high that the salary was almost triple what other engineers would make. (Just to give you some idea if you think software engineer jobs will go away.)
e. What are some steps to take in my time in high school to help get me to where I want to be?
-Fortunately for you, Washington State have a 'Running Start' program that allow High School Junior and Senior to take class at community college or technical school (with credits counted toward college.) And there is a bill in Olympia that will allow Freshmen and Sophomore to do the same (I hope it will pass.) You should take advantage of this program (since your school district will cover the tuition) and start taking computer science related classes. Renton Tech and Lake Washington College have very good computer science program for the Running Start students. Also, your school (I remember my school had one) had robotic or computing club join it. Do not be afraid to explore and learn.
Good luck.
Anthony