9 answers
Alex
Student
California, Maryland
1
Question
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How do I become a computer scientist What are the careers involved in studying computer science ?
What are the careers when having to study computer science
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9 answers
Laurence Black
Customer Success Manager
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Laurence’s Answer
Take the CS50 Computer Science course at Harvard for free. You can easily register online or you can watch the lectures for free on Youtube. You will quickly see if Computer Science is a career path that will interest you in the long term. Either way it is interesting , entertaining and great fun!
Janaki Devi Kantamneni
Software Engineer
4
Answers
Lakeville, Minnesota
Updated
Janaki Devi’s Answer
Becoming a computer scientist typically involves a combination of education, practical experience, and ongoing learning. Here's a general roadmap:
Education: Start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field such as computer engineering, software engineering, or information technology. Some universities also offer specialized programs in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data science.
Gain Practical Experience: While studying, try to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs, or personal projects. Building software projects, contributing to open-source projects, or participating in coding competitions can help you develop your skills and build a portfolio.
Specialize: Computer science is a broad field with many sub-disciplines. Consider specializing in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, game development, or web development based on your interests and career goals.
Continuing Education: Computer science is a rapidly evolving field, so it's important to stay updated on the latest technologies and trends. This may involve taking additional courses, attending workshops or conferences, and participating in online communities.
As for careers, studying computer science opens up a wide range of opportunities. Here are some common career paths:
Software Developer/Engineer: Design, develop, and maintain software applications or systems.
Data Scientist/Analyst: Analyze and interpret complex data to inform business decisions, often using techniques from statistics, machine learning, and data mining.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats, including hacking, malware, and other security breaches.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer: Develop algorithms and systems that enable computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, image classification, or natural language processing.
Web Developer: Design and build websites and web applications, often using languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various backend technologies.
Database Administrator: Manage and maintain databases to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility.
Network Engineer: Design, implement, and maintain computer networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the internet.
Systems Analyst: Evaluate an organization's computer systems and procedures to recommend improvements in efficiency, security, and performance.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other career paths within computer science, as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary work in fields like bioinformatics, finance, and healthcare.
Education: Start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field such as computer engineering, software engineering, or information technology. Some universities also offer specialized programs in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data science.
Gain Practical Experience: While studying, try to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs, or personal projects. Building software projects, contributing to open-source projects, or participating in coding competitions can help you develop your skills and build a portfolio.
Specialize: Computer science is a broad field with many sub-disciplines. Consider specializing in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, game development, or web development based on your interests and career goals.
Continuing Education: Computer science is a rapidly evolving field, so it's important to stay updated on the latest technologies and trends. This may involve taking additional courses, attending workshops or conferences, and participating in online communities.
As for careers, studying computer science opens up a wide range of opportunities. Here are some common career paths:
Software Developer/Engineer: Design, develop, and maintain software applications or systems.
Data Scientist/Analyst: Analyze and interpret complex data to inform business decisions, often using techniques from statistics, machine learning, and data mining.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats, including hacking, malware, and other security breaches.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer: Develop algorithms and systems that enable computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, image classification, or natural language processing.
Web Developer: Design and build websites and web applications, often using languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various backend technologies.
Database Administrator: Manage and maintain databases to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility.
Network Engineer: Design, implement, and maintain computer networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the internet.
Systems Analyst: Evaluate an organization's computer systems and procedures to recommend improvements in efficiency, security, and performance.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other career paths within computer science, as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary work in fields like bioinformatics, finance, and healthcare.
Sarah Marie Thomens
Accessibility Consultant
5
Answers
Kennesaw, Georgia
Updated
Sarah Marie’s Answer
Hi Alex!
This is a great question and all the previous answers give great advice on how to get started. I thought I would give you a more specific answer to a couple of specific fields in computer science. Web Design and Development are both careers that are very rewarding and a lot of fun. You can help companies design and code their websites or web applications. There are many different types of jobs that you could do in this field, some are more focused on programming while others are more focused on design. You could do some research to see which you might be more interested in.
If you are more interested in the programming side, look into Front End Web Development and Full Stack Web Development courses. Udacity has nanodegrees of both on it's website which goes deep into learning the skills for both types of careers. A good starting point for research would be looking into HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Another wonderful job to look into when going into web development is digital accessibility. More and more of our world's information is finding itself on the web, and people with disabilities need equal access to this information, just like everyone else. I currently work as an accessibility consultant and the job is very rewarding. I get to help many companies make their websites more accessible for more people.
I would highly recommend doing your research to see what you want out of your career and planning out a path for you to get to where you want to be.
This is a great question and all the previous answers give great advice on how to get started. I thought I would give you a more specific answer to a couple of specific fields in computer science. Web Design and Development are both careers that are very rewarding and a lot of fun. You can help companies design and code their websites or web applications. There are many different types of jobs that you could do in this field, some are more focused on programming while others are more focused on design. You could do some research to see which you might be more interested in.
If you are more interested in the programming side, look into Front End Web Development and Full Stack Web Development courses. Udacity has nanodegrees of both on it's website which goes deep into learning the skills for both types of careers. A good starting point for research would be looking into HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Another wonderful job to look into when going into web development is digital accessibility. More and more of our world's information is finding itself on the web, and people with disabilities need equal access to this information, just like everyone else. I currently work as an accessibility consultant and the job is very rewarding. I get to help many companies make their websites more accessible for more people.
I would highly recommend doing your research to see what you want out of your career and planning out a path for you to get to where you want to be.
Sean Williams
QA Test Engineer
3
Answers
Marana, Arizona
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Hi Alex,
Many great answers here so to keep I will keep it short. I came out of the Marine Corps with no education really, I was a Radio Operator and went right into school for Computer Science. A couple of tips, fully embrace the culture, join some CS discords and participate, attend hackathons, CS events etc. Continually learn and expand upon your knowledge. A quote that helped me however simple it is was "lean forward and code". Anytime you find it difficult take a step back, think things through write it out on a piece of paper and start hitting that keyboard. To answer your questions there are so many careers that you can move into with a degree in CS, there is a path in almost all fields across the board with such a degree. I encourage you to pick one field that interests you and look into it further!
Many great answers here so to keep I will keep it short. I came out of the Marine Corps with no education really, I was a Radio Operator and went right into school for Computer Science. A couple of tips, fully embrace the culture, join some CS discords and participate, attend hackathons, CS events etc. Continually learn and expand upon your knowledge. A quote that helped me however simple it is was "lean forward and code". Anytime you find it difficult take a step back, think things through write it out on a piece of paper and start hitting that keyboard. To answer your questions there are so many careers that you can move into with a degree in CS, there is a path in almost all fields across the board with such a degree. I encourage you to pick one field that interests you and look into it further!
Maya Singh
Product Manager
7
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Maya’s Answer
Hi Alex,
Great to hear that you're considering a career involving Computer Science. The good news is that it is an extremely versatile skill set and profession that can take you in many directions. I thought it would be helpful to share some ideas that are "out of the box" to encourage you to think beyond the traditional applications of the discipline.
- UX Design
-UX Research
-Sport Analytics
-Academic Research such as Computational Biology
-Product Management
-Technical Support Engineer
-Solution Architect
-Technical Sales Engineer
-Customer Success Engineer
Also, here's a helpful video that could inspire you further!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VpDcjFshJI
All the best!
Great to hear that you're considering a career involving Computer Science. The good news is that it is an extremely versatile skill set and profession that can take you in many directions. I thought it would be helpful to share some ideas that are "out of the box" to encourage you to think beyond the traditional applications of the discipline.
- UX Design
-UX Research
-Sport Analytics
-Academic Research such as Computational Biology
-Product Management
-Technical Support Engineer
-Solution Architect
-Technical Sales Engineer
-Customer Success Engineer
Also, here's a helpful video that could inspire you further!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VpDcjFshJI
All the best!
Jo Ann Hill
Technology Advocate
23
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jo Ann’s Answer
Hello Alex,
In the world of Computer Science, the cornerstone skill you need to master is programming. This essential ability requires familiarizing yourself with one or more coding languages. Among the most popular languages that programmers frequently use are JavaScript, HTML, Python, and CSS. Alongside this, mathematics plays a pivotal role in computer science, as it heavily relies on numerical equations.
Besides these technical skills, a career in computer science also calls for soft skills like teamwork and effective communication.
The exciting and rewarding universe of Computer Science and Information Technology offers countless benefits, including financial ones. You'll get the chance to make significant contributions to various business sectors and industries.
There's a multitude of STEM organizations (both physical and online) where you can actively participate and contribute, thereby greatly boosting your learning and professional growth. Your local library is a great starting point to hunt for resources.
I trust you'll find this information beneficial!
In the world of Computer Science, the cornerstone skill you need to master is programming. This essential ability requires familiarizing yourself with one or more coding languages. Among the most popular languages that programmers frequently use are JavaScript, HTML, Python, and CSS. Alongside this, mathematics plays a pivotal role in computer science, as it heavily relies on numerical equations.
Besides these technical skills, a career in computer science also calls for soft skills like teamwork and effective communication.
The exciting and rewarding universe of Computer Science and Information Technology offers countless benefits, including financial ones. You'll get the chance to make significant contributions to various business sectors and industries.
There's a multitude of STEM organizations (both physical and online) where you can actively participate and contribute, thereby greatly boosting your learning and professional growth. Your local library is a great starting point to hunt for resources.
I trust you'll find this information beneficial!
Ryan Walsh
Software Developer
16
Answers
Oviedo, Florida
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Alex, looks like you already have a bunch of answers, but I would still like to chime in. Studying computer science opens up a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. Common career paths include software development, where you can work as a software engineer, web developer, or mobile app developer. There's also a strong demand for data scientists and analysts who specialize in extracting insights from data. Cybersecurity is another critical field, with roles such as security analyst or ethical hacker. Additionally, you can pursue careers in artificial intelligence and machine learning, becoming a machine learning engineer or AI specialist. Other roles include IT consultant, systems analyst, database administrator, and network architect. Each of these careers leverages different aspects of computer science, allowing you to specialize based on your interests and strengths.
Anju Mathew
Business Technology Analyst
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anju’s Answer
Hello Alex,
I appreciate your question! I'm confident that a Computer Science degree can open up a multitude of career paths for you. If you're inclined towards technical roles, then engineering jobs could be an excellent fit. Alternatively, if you're looking for something less conventional, consider exploring opportunities in the business or finance sector.
Personally, I was more drawn to the business aspects rather than the technical side, which led me to a tech role in consulting. I've found that consulting offers a good balance, allowing you to utilize your skills in a way that suits you. However, if you're keen on being highly technical and doing a lot of coding, consulting may not be the best fit.
In such a case, you might find more satisfaction and better remuneration at larger tech companies, especially if you opt for a Software Engineering path.
I appreciate your question! I'm confident that a Computer Science degree can open up a multitude of career paths for you. If you're inclined towards technical roles, then engineering jobs could be an excellent fit. Alternatively, if you're looking for something less conventional, consider exploring opportunities in the business or finance sector.
Personally, I was more drawn to the business aspects rather than the technical side, which led me to a tech role in consulting. I've found that consulting offers a good balance, allowing you to utilize your skills in a way that suits you. However, if you're keen on being highly technical and doing a lot of coding, consulting may not be the best fit.
In such a case, you might find more satisfaction and better remuneration at larger tech companies, especially if you opt for a Software Engineering path.
Huy V
Information Technology
4
Answers
Fountain Valley, California
Updated
Huy’s Answer
Hi Alex,
If you're a computer science student considering a specialization, cybersecurity is a fantastic path to explore. It's a field with high demand, offering roles like security analyst, ethical hacker, and security architect. Start by building a solid foundation in computer science fundamentals, and then focus on cybersecurity-specific courses such as Network Security and Cryptography. Gain practical experience through labs, simulations, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Engage in extracurricular activities like cybersecurity clubs, CTF competitions, and internships to hone your skills. Stay updated with industry trends, join professional networks, and consider pursuing advanced studies if you're keen on research. Resources like Cybrary, OWASP, and books like "The Web Application Hacker's Handbook" can be incredibly helpful. By combining formal education with hands-on practice, you can build a rewarding career in cybersecurity.
If you're a computer science student considering a specialization, cybersecurity is a fantastic path to explore. It's a field with high demand, offering roles like security analyst, ethical hacker, and security architect. Start by building a solid foundation in computer science fundamentals, and then focus on cybersecurity-specific courses such as Network Security and Cryptography. Gain practical experience through labs, simulations, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Engage in extracurricular activities like cybersecurity clubs, CTF competitions, and internships to hone your skills. Stay updated with industry trends, join professional networks, and consider pursuing advanced studies if you're keen on research. Resources like Cybrary, OWASP, and books like "The Web Application Hacker's Handbook" can be incredibly helpful. By combining formal education with hands-on practice, you can build a rewarding career in cybersecurity.