8 answers
Devesh
Student
Milpitas, California
1
Question
Asked
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How can I get a job in Computer Science that pays me a lot?
I am a junior at high school and within the next 10 years I want to see myself like that.
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8 answers
Adeel Khurshid
Sr Director of Cybersecurity
11
Answers
Alamo, California
Updated
Adeel’s Answer
It's great that you're thinking far ahead.
As a person who worked at a FAANG the most common path to those high paying jobs is a strong education. A good University with a strong CompSci program feeds into high paying jobs. FAANG companies heavily recruit from these top schools. Now that's not the only path. I've had engineers join after doing their masters as well and some that came with a ton of industry experience. It's your determination and focus that will help you succeed.
As a young person my advice would be to start building a strong portfolio of contributions in open source. Pick a project that you are interested in and start contributing. Get good grades and aim for those universities...but not all is lost if that path doesn't work out. There are other ways into those high paying compsci jobs. Be determined and focused and you'll get to where you want to be.
Best of luck!
As a person who worked at a FAANG the most common path to those high paying jobs is a strong education. A good University with a strong CompSci program feeds into high paying jobs. FAANG companies heavily recruit from these top schools. Now that's not the only path. I've had engineers join after doing their masters as well and some that came with a ton of industry experience. It's your determination and focus that will help you succeed.
As a young person my advice would be to start building a strong portfolio of contributions in open source. Pick a project that you are interested in and start contributing. Get good grades and aim for those universities...but not all is lost if that path doesn't work out. There are other ways into those high paying compsci jobs. Be determined and focused and you'll get to where you want to be.
Best of luck!
John Raflores
Software Engineer
16
Answers
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
Most companies require a degree in computer science or a related technical area. In addition to a technical degree there are a lot of great and free online sites to learn how to code. More coding (formal classes or self-learning) will only help you get better.
Learn to code sites (there are more out there):
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming
https://www.codecademy.com/catalog
Coding Challenges (one of several out there) - as a bonus several companies use sites like this as part of the technical interview process:
https://www.hackerrank.com/
Learn to code sites (there are more out there):
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming
https://www.codecademy.com/catalog
Coding Challenges (one of several out there) - as a bonus several companies use sites like this as part of the technical interview process:
https://www.hackerrank.com/
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6084
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Devesh,
Even though I didn't major in computer science, my education journey was peppered with related subjects throughout high school and university. I have honed my skills to the point where I can comprehend code in nine different computer programming languages. My journey began with Fortran in 1972, then I ventured into Visual Basic 4.0 in 1996, advanced to VB 6 in 2007, and further explored VB.NET 2.0, 4.8, and 8.0.
In 1988, I graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics, which led me to become a Dietitian. I've since expanded my horizons and now create nutrition education software and develop APIs in Excel, Word, Access, and Adobe.
If you're interested in landing a high-paying job in computer science, a simple Google search for "highest paying jobs in computer science" will provide you with a wealth of information. Here are some of the top-paying roles in the field today: Programmer Analyst, Technical Support Engineer, E-commerce Business Analyst, Business Continuity Analyst, Systems Analyst, Database Developer, Software Developer, and UX Designer.
As for pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at Harvard, that's an impressive goal! If you can achieve it, it's a fantastic opportunity. I'm rooting for you to reach that level!
Best wishes, Jim
Even though I didn't major in computer science, my education journey was peppered with related subjects throughout high school and university. I have honed my skills to the point where I can comprehend code in nine different computer programming languages. My journey began with Fortran in 1972, then I ventured into Visual Basic 4.0 in 1996, advanced to VB 6 in 2007, and further explored VB.NET 2.0, 4.8, and 8.0.
In 1988, I graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics, which led me to become a Dietitian. I've since expanded my horizons and now create nutrition education software and develop APIs in Excel, Word, Access, and Adobe.
If you're interested in landing a high-paying job in computer science, a simple Google search for "highest paying jobs in computer science" will provide you with a wealth of information. Here are some of the top-paying roles in the field today: Programmer Analyst, Technical Support Engineer, E-commerce Business Analyst, Business Continuity Analyst, Systems Analyst, Database Developer, Software Developer, and UX Designer.
As for pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at Harvard, that's an impressive goal! If you can achieve it, it's a fantastic opportunity. I'm rooting for you to reach that level!
Best wishes, Jim
Bharath Anche
Senior Salesforce Engineer
11
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Bharath’s Answer
Hello Devesh,
It's great to hear from you and thank you for your inquiry.
Computer Science is a dynamic field that is continuously evolving and has become a vital part of our contemporary world. It's fascinating to realize that Computer Science and its related technologies influence nearly every corner of our daily lives, from the gadgets we frequently use, to the vehicles we drive, and even the tech-based strategies businesses employ. It's safe to say that this field is not only promising but also offers a rewarding career path for those who are seeking job satisfaction and attractive salary packages.
If you can imagine yourself creating and implementing cutting-edge software tools, frameworks, and systems, and if you have a flair for problem-solving, then Computer Science could be the perfect career choice for you. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Job opportunities are plentiful
2. It gives you the chance to make a difference in the world
3. You can gain powerful and highly practical skills
4. Potential for a high income
Let's take a look at the top 10 highest paying jobs in Computer Science:
1. Principal Software Engineer
2. Software Architect
3. Computer Scientist
4. IT Project Manager
5. Site Reliability Engineer
6. Data Engineer
7. IT Security Consultant
8. DevOps Engineer
9. Systems Analyst
10. Cybersecurity Engineer
Remember, it's important not to solely chase after money or titles. These will naturally come your way. All you need is patience, consistent practice, and a humble attitude. With these qualities, everything else will fall into place.
Wishing you the best,
Bharath Anche
It's great to hear from you and thank you for your inquiry.
Computer Science is a dynamic field that is continuously evolving and has become a vital part of our contemporary world. It's fascinating to realize that Computer Science and its related technologies influence nearly every corner of our daily lives, from the gadgets we frequently use, to the vehicles we drive, and even the tech-based strategies businesses employ. It's safe to say that this field is not only promising but also offers a rewarding career path for those who are seeking job satisfaction and attractive salary packages.
If you can imagine yourself creating and implementing cutting-edge software tools, frameworks, and systems, and if you have a flair for problem-solving, then Computer Science could be the perfect career choice for you. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Job opportunities are plentiful
2. It gives you the chance to make a difference in the world
3. You can gain powerful and highly practical skills
4. Potential for a high income
Let's take a look at the top 10 highest paying jobs in Computer Science:
1. Principal Software Engineer
2. Software Architect
3. Computer Scientist
4. IT Project Manager
5. Site Reliability Engineer
6. Data Engineer
7. IT Security Consultant
8. DevOps Engineer
9. Systems Analyst
10. Cybersecurity Engineer
Remember, it's important not to solely chase after money or titles. These will naturally come your way. All you need is patience, consistent practice, and a humble attitude. With these qualities, everything else will fall into place.
Wishing you the best,
Bharath Anche
Alex Ward
Senior Software Developer
9
Answers
Folsom, California
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hi Devesh,
Dream big but be realistic along the way.
If salary.com says a certain role pays $80k or $100k, you should expect to enter the field at about half that.
I studied at university for 3 years and was then hired as a Junior for $48k. I wasn't "thrilled" because I had such high expectations. I thought "how could the guy sitting next to me be earning $100k and I'm only half that". But that number only goes up with years of experience & loyalty to a company, and/or specialized training and certifications such as from Microsoft or like a Six Sigma belt. It's 12 years later and I've built up a lot of loyalty and rapport with the companies I worked for, and I'm earning $120k. I'm confident enough now to apply for new jobs and ask for more money, because I have that experience behind me.
If you want to launch into a high salary straight away then expect to do years and years of extra study first and possibly get burned out before you even start a job.
My recommendation is to take a computer science course - that's mandatory for all programming jobs - and see if you like it or you're good at it (or both). The money will come later.
Dream big but be realistic along the way.
If salary.com says a certain role pays $80k or $100k, you should expect to enter the field at about half that.
I studied at university for 3 years and was then hired as a Junior for $48k. I wasn't "thrilled" because I had such high expectations. I thought "how could the guy sitting next to me be earning $100k and I'm only half that". But that number only goes up with years of experience & loyalty to a company, and/or specialized training and certifications such as from Microsoft or like a Six Sigma belt. It's 12 years later and I've built up a lot of loyalty and rapport with the companies I worked for, and I'm earning $120k. I'm confident enough now to apply for new jobs and ask for more money, because I have that experience behind me.
If you want to launch into a high salary straight away then expect to do years and years of extra study first and possibly get burned out before you even start a job.
My recommendation is to take a computer science course - that's mandatory for all programming jobs - and see if you like it or you're good at it (or both). The money will come later.
MD Rabbi Hossain Anik
Internship
7
Answers
Chandpur, Chittagong Division
Updated
MD Rabbi Hossain’s Answer
Hello Devesh,
It's really great to see you planning your career path so early. Let me share some insights from my personal journey. The world of computer science requires a lot of patience and dedication. It's all about staying focused and putting in the hard work. When it comes to jobs in this field, your skills often matter more than your degree. So, start honing your skills right from the get-go.
At the moment, one of the highest paying jobs is that of a Data Scientist. However, to land any job, you need to demonstrate your skills and experience. A good way to do this is by undertaking internships, participating in competitions, and accumulating achievements and experiences. These will give you a competitive edge in the job market.
When you're ready to start applying, there are numerous websites where you can find job listings. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
It's really great to see you planning your career path so early. Let me share some insights from my personal journey. The world of computer science requires a lot of patience and dedication. It's all about staying focused and putting in the hard work. When it comes to jobs in this field, your skills often matter more than your degree. So, start honing your skills right from the get-go.
At the moment, one of the highest paying jobs is that of a Data Scientist. However, to land any job, you need to demonstrate your skills and experience. A good way to do this is by undertaking internships, participating in competitions, and accumulating achievements and experiences. These will give you a competitive edge in the job market.
When you're ready to start applying, there are numerous websites where you can find job listings. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Don Grannan
Small business owner, retired Air Force colonel
2
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Consider pursuing a STEM degree in college. Get your IT certifications too. Try to get some hands-on experience through internships while you're still in college. You'll do well.
Faith Garza
Security Engineer
1
Answer
Sacramento, California
Updated
Faith’s Answer
Hello there! Typically, professions in the fields of engineering or information technology come with impressive compensation. So, if you're planning to pursue such a degree in college, I'm confident that you'll be thriving in just a decade! It's crucial for you to secure an internship, ideally between your sophomore and junior years, and continue gaining experience each year until you graduate. Many companies are known to offer their hardworking interns full-time positions after graduation. So keep up the good work, and you're sure to make a successful career for yourself!