4 answers
Jayson
Student
4
Questions
Asked
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I have an interest in computer science, what are some out-of-school activities that could help me prepare for this field?
I am also looking for potential highschool classes to take.
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4 answers
Amit Mittal
Officer at Citibank
96
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Amit’s Answer
Hi Jayson,
That’s great! Here are some out-of-school activities and high school classes that can help you prepare for a career in computer science:
Out-of-School Activities:
Clubs: Joining clubs related to computer science can provide hands-on experience and opportunities to work on projects. Some clubs that might be available in your school or community include:
Computer Science Club
App Development Club
Robotics Club
Cybersecurity Club
Data Science Club
Machine Learning Club
Game Design Club
Online Courses: There are many online platforms that offer courses in various aspects of computer science. Websites like Codecademy, Coursera, and Khan Academy have courses in programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and more.
Coding Competitions: Participating in coding competitions can help improve your problem-solving skills and give you a sense of how to work under pressure.
Open Source Contributions: Contributing to open source projects can help you gain practical experience and learn how to collaborate with others.
Summer Programs: There are many summer programs that offer intensive training in computer science.
High School Classes:
Advanced Mathematics Classes: High school students often underestimate how crucial mathematics is to understanding basic computer science principles. Consider taking advanced math classes such as AP Calculus, PreCalculus, and AP Statistics.
Computer Science Classes: If your school offers AP Computer Science or other computer science electives, these can be very beneficial.
Technology Classes: Your school may offer technology classes that will help you become familiar with operating a computer and may even teach you some coding principles.
Science Classes: While not directly related to computer science, science classes often involve logical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable in the field of computer science.
Remember, the most important thing is to stay curious and keep learning. Good luck with your journey into computer science! 😊
That’s great! Here are some out-of-school activities and high school classes that can help you prepare for a career in computer science:
Out-of-School Activities:
Clubs: Joining clubs related to computer science can provide hands-on experience and opportunities to work on projects. Some clubs that might be available in your school or community include:
Computer Science Club
App Development Club
Robotics Club
Cybersecurity Club
Data Science Club
Machine Learning Club
Game Design Club
Online Courses: There are many online platforms that offer courses in various aspects of computer science. Websites like Codecademy, Coursera, and Khan Academy have courses in programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and more.
Coding Competitions: Participating in coding competitions can help improve your problem-solving skills and give you a sense of how to work under pressure.
Open Source Contributions: Contributing to open source projects can help you gain practical experience and learn how to collaborate with others.
Summer Programs: There are many summer programs that offer intensive training in computer science.
High School Classes:
Advanced Mathematics Classes: High school students often underestimate how crucial mathematics is to understanding basic computer science principles. Consider taking advanced math classes such as AP Calculus, PreCalculus, and AP Statistics.
Computer Science Classes: If your school offers AP Computer Science or other computer science electives, these can be very beneficial.
Technology Classes: Your school may offer technology classes that will help you become familiar with operating a computer and may even teach you some coding principles.
Science Classes: While not directly related to computer science, science classes often involve logical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable in the field of computer science.
Remember, the most important thing is to stay curious and keep learning. Good luck with your journey into computer science! 😊
Sam Scheidt
Business Analyst- Migrations
4
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Sam’s Answer
There are so many awesome extracurricular activities that can bolster your chances of being successful in a computer science program:
Programming Clubs or Competitions
Open Source Contributions on platforms like GitHub
Internships or Work Experience
Personal Projects like building an app, website, game, or software tool
Tech or Robotics Clubs
Online Courses and Certifications on platforms like Coursera, edX, or Codecademy
Volunteer Work
Remember, quality often matters more than quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities. Choose activities that genuinely interest you and align with your passion for computer science. These experiences should reflect your dedication, skills, and enthusiasm for the field when applying to computer science programs.
Programming Clubs or Competitions
Open Source Contributions on platforms like GitHub
Internships or Work Experience
Personal Projects like building an app, website, game, or software tool
Tech or Robotics Clubs
Online Courses and Certifications on platforms like Coursera, edX, or Codecademy
Volunteer Work
Remember, quality often matters more than quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities. Choose activities that genuinely interest you and align with your passion for computer science. These experiences should reflect your dedication, skills, and enthusiasm for the field when applying to computer science programs.
Nathan Coyle
Account Executive
9
Answers
Omaha, Nebraska
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
Software development is an incredible skill that will set you up to make great money some time - and to work on very important problems. With that being said, I would argue that the best equipped entrepreneurs in 2023 are both software minded and business minded individuals. If you can build software AND sell, you can become the next Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, or whomever you want!
Check out organizations to help you sell -- DECA, Entrepreneurship, and other types of organizations will help
Check out organizations to help you sell -- DECA, Entrepreneurship, and other types of organizations will help
Chuqi Zhen
Software Engineer
17
Answers
Weehawken, New Jersey
Updated
Chuqi’s Answer
Hey Jayson! It's fantastic to know about your interest in computer science. There are plenty of exciting activities outside of school that can boost your readiness for the field. You could dive into Hackathons and coding contests, which are not only fun but also a great way to learn. If there's a computer science club nearby, consider joining. If not, why not take the initiative and start one yourself? Contributing to open source projects is another excellent way to gain practical experience.
In terms of high school classes, I would definitely recommend AP Computer Science and AP Calculus (if they are offered at your school), as well as other advanced computer science and math classes. They'll provide a solid foundation for your future in this exciting field. You're on the right track, Jayson! Keep up the good work!
In terms of high school classes, I would definitely recommend AP Computer Science and AP Calculus (if they are offered at your school), as well as other advanced computer science and math classes. They'll provide a solid foundation for your future in this exciting field. You're on the right track, Jayson! Keep up the good work!