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What should I do as someone going into college to help myself be more competitive for future oportunities?
My major is computer science and I know that it is a competitive field. I want to know what I can do to be ahead of my competition.
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5 answers
Updated
Meredith’s Answer
Hello Myles! It's fantastic that you're being proactive about standing out in a competitive job market. While traditional paths for computer science degrees are valuable, consider exploring some unconventional approaches to gain additional experience that sets you apart from your peers. These options can include:
1. Seeking volunteer opportunities in tech-related projects or organizations where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
2. Exploring unpaid internships or externships in computer science fields that align with your interests, even if the positions are not directly related to your targeted career path.
3. Searching for local mentorship opportunities, either through your school or professional networks, to learn from experienced professionals and enhance your skills.
4. Joining relevant clubs or participating in hackathons to improve your skills and expand your network.
5. Attending industry conferences and workshops to stay updated on the latest trends and meet potential employers.
By following these suggestions, you can begin to shape a unique, diverse experience in computer science, making you stand out and increasing your chances of success in the job market. Remember to actively seek out these opportunities and not just wait for them to come your way. Good luck!
1. Seeking volunteer opportunities in tech-related projects or organizations where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
2. Exploring unpaid internships or externships in computer science fields that align with your interests, even if the positions are not directly related to your targeted career path.
3. Searching for local mentorship opportunities, either through your school or professional networks, to learn from experienced professionals and enhance your skills.
4. Joining relevant clubs or participating in hackathons to improve your skills and expand your network.
5. Attending industry conferences and workshops to stay updated on the latest trends and meet potential employers.
By following these suggestions, you can begin to shape a unique, diverse experience in computer science, making you stand out and increasing your chances of success in the job market. Remember to actively seek out these opportunities and not just wait for them to come your way. Good luck!
Updated
Mark’s Answer
If I were to do it all over again, I would have actively sought out a girlfriend in high school who shared my passion for computers. Together, we could have collaborated and made significant accomplishments in college, potentially even conquering the world. Although this wasn't my reality, you have the opportunity to live an extraordinary life that will amaze your family, so why not give it a try?
Here are some actionable steps to follow:
1. Identify your passions and interests.
2. Seek out like-minded individuals, both in person and through online platforms.
3. Network and form connections with those who share your interests.
4. Collaborate on projects and work towards common goals.
5. Challenge yourself to aim high and set ambitious targets, as J. Cole suggests, "if you ain't aim too high, you aim too low."
6. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and have fun throughout the process.
By following these steps, you'll be on the right track to living a fulfilling and astonishing life.
Here are some actionable steps to follow:
1. Identify your passions and interests.
2. Seek out like-minded individuals, both in person and through online platforms.
3. Network and form connections with those who share your interests.
4. Collaborate on projects and work towards common goals.
5. Challenge yourself to aim high and set ambitious targets, as J. Cole suggests, "if you ain't aim too high, you aim too low."
6. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and have fun throughout the process.
By following these steps, you'll be on the right track to living a fulfilling and astonishing life.
Updated
Hagen’s Answer
Hello Myles,
I addition to the good recommendations above, I would suggest three areas of focus:
1. Life long learning. Technology changes very rapidly so it's unlikely your skills can keep up without literally daily efforts to keep pace. Determine how you like to learn (e.g. videos, books, labs, etc.) and develop a daily learning regimen. Even 15 minutes a day will make a huge difference.
2. Be curious. It's tempting to focus on marketable skills at your age and that's not wrong headed, but in the long run you'll benefit enormously from following your own areas of interest. Over the course of your life and career a lot will change and you might find you like managing coders more than coding (hey it could happen ;-). You might decide you like HW engineering even quantum computing. So keep an open mind and don't be afraid to pursue topics that interest you. OpenAI makes exploring different topics and ideas a lot easier and can be a great tool. AI can even augment your own capabilities. Just make sure you focus on augmentation - expanding YOUR knowledge and skills - that's what will get you hired and keep you employed.
3. Gain domain expertise. There's a great, albeit difficult, book by Eric Evans called Domain Driven Design. The main idea of the book is eventually you'll gravitate to working in a particular domain. That might broadly be web design or AI, but even then you'll likely move towards a business oriented domain such as healthcare, retail, energy, education etc. That's a good thing. You'll be a more effective computer scientist if you can speak the language and understand the challenges faced by the people you're supporting technically.
Computer Science is a very broad topic - think about where your interests fit - coding, hardware, data science.
Generally we suck and predicting what will make us happy in the future. The best guidance is to ask people who are doing what you think you want to do how it's going. (you did that here in this post :-).
I addition to the good recommendations above, I would suggest three areas of focus:
1. Life long learning. Technology changes very rapidly so it's unlikely your skills can keep up without literally daily efforts to keep pace. Determine how you like to learn (e.g. videos, books, labs, etc.) and develop a daily learning regimen. Even 15 minutes a day will make a huge difference.
2. Be curious. It's tempting to focus on marketable skills at your age and that's not wrong headed, but in the long run you'll benefit enormously from following your own areas of interest. Over the course of your life and career a lot will change and you might find you like managing coders more than coding (hey it could happen ;-). You might decide you like HW engineering even quantum computing. So keep an open mind and don't be afraid to pursue topics that interest you. OpenAI makes exploring different topics and ideas a lot easier and can be a great tool. AI can even augment your own capabilities. Just make sure you focus on augmentation - expanding YOUR knowledge and skills - that's what will get you hired and keep you employed.
3. Gain domain expertise. There's a great, albeit difficult, book by Eric Evans called Domain Driven Design. The main idea of the book is eventually you'll gravitate to working in a particular domain. That might broadly be web design or AI, but even then you'll likely move towards a business oriented domain such as healthcare, retail, energy, education etc. That's a good thing. You'll be a more effective computer scientist if you can speak the language and understand the challenges faced by the people you're supporting technically.
Hagen recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hey Myles! It's fantastic to hear that you're eager to become more competitive for future opportunities! Remember, the key is to find the right balance and avoid overburdening yourself, especially as you kick-start your college life.
As a computer science enthusiast, diving into research can be an excellent way to level up your resume. By engaging in research (ideally in the computer science realm), you'll develop exceptional critical thinking skills and gain hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges. Employers will definitely appreciate your research background, making you a highly sought-after candidate for internships.
Moreover, strive to maintain a strong GPA and embark on personal coding projects like app development. These ventures will not only underscore your coding prowess but also highlight your dedication and passion for computer science.
Keep up the enthusiasm, and best of luck, Myles!
Warm regards,
Rian
As a computer science enthusiast, diving into research can be an excellent way to level up your resume. By engaging in research (ideally in the computer science realm), you'll develop exceptional critical thinking skills and gain hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges. Employers will definitely appreciate your research background, making you a highly sought-after candidate for internships.
Moreover, strive to maintain a strong GPA and embark on personal coding projects like app development. These ventures will not only underscore your coding prowess but also highlight your dedication and passion for computer science.
Keep up the enthusiasm, and best of luck, Myles!
Warm regards,
Rian
Updated
Taryn’s Answer
1. Never say no to anything. Most people go to college for something and come out with a whole new passion.
2. Make friends who are in the same degree areas
3. Join every club related to your study field, go to local events and conferences. Also start a new club or run for office of a club you already love
4. Volunteer for anything you can within your field. Its a great networking medium.
5. Network. Create a LinkedIN profile and follow the companies you want to work for. Read about their company, investments, breakthrough technologies and remember a few for your interview. Also add people from your ideal companies, and recruiters. Make sure to post on LinkedIN about your club participation, volunteering, etc.
6. Have outside skills. Learn Microsoft office, experience managing a club is management experience.
7. Self study at home
8. Get certs.
2. Make friends who are in the same degree areas
3. Join every club related to your study field, go to local events and conferences. Also start a new club or run for office of a club you already love
4. Volunteer for anything you can within your field. Its a great networking medium.
5. Network. Create a LinkedIN profile and follow the companies you want to work for. Read about their company, investments, breakthrough technologies and remember a few for your interview. Also add people from your ideal companies, and recruiters. Make sure to post on LinkedIN about your club participation, volunteering, etc.
6. Have outside skills. Learn Microsoft office, experience managing a club is management experience.
7. Self study at home
8. Get certs.