5 answers
Melvin
Student
Fairfield, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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Where should I go to learn more about Computer Science?
I am a incoming second year CS student in college and am still unsure what I want to do with CS. I am confused in what to study and am wanting guidance in languages or skills to practice in order to give myself the best well-rounded knowledge. Thank you
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Melvin !
College should be providing you with a good well-rounded education for Computer Science and if it is not, perhaps attending a different college may help. Look into some other college programs for that major and see if what they offer is more to your liking and enroll at the college that you feel has a better program. That is one thing that you can consider. You have completed one year at your current college, so I would advise that you give it a chance and if you still feel confused or not being offered what you want, change colleges.
Although you are not too specific in what you need more classes for, be specific about what languages or skills you mean. If you can pinpoint them, you may be able to supplement your class work with online courses in the particular things you are needing. I don't know what you need for your well-rounded knowledge, but you can add to your knowledge by taking some computer certifications online which will benefit you in the job market.
Explore the resources at your college. Most colleges have a Student Services Center and a Career Center. Never hold back from speaking with your department Dean or professors as they often times can help because they know the major very well and can make suggestions for whatever you may need. Also consider joining a Computer Tech group on campus because networking and making new friends can be both enjoyable and helpful. If you are having a problem with the subject material for any course, inquire about a tutor or study group for the subject when you visit the Student Center on campus. Most of being a college student is asking questions, so do not hesitate to do so.
You can also know that here at Career Village we are always happy to help. Good advice can be had here so do return and ask specific questions clearly stating what you need.
It's okay that you haven't decided about a specific career in computer science yet. Give it time. You will be inspired by life experience and going along your individual path. Read about the various career options and do some hands on work and eventually, you will make the decision. Take it slow and do not rush it.
Have a wonderful sophomore year at college and don't forget to have some fun while you explore your academic path !
College should be providing you with a good well-rounded education for Computer Science and if it is not, perhaps attending a different college may help. Look into some other college programs for that major and see if what they offer is more to your liking and enroll at the college that you feel has a better program. That is one thing that you can consider. You have completed one year at your current college, so I would advise that you give it a chance and if you still feel confused or not being offered what you want, change colleges.
Although you are not too specific in what you need more classes for, be specific about what languages or skills you mean. If you can pinpoint them, you may be able to supplement your class work with online courses in the particular things you are needing. I don't know what you need for your well-rounded knowledge, but you can add to your knowledge by taking some computer certifications online which will benefit you in the job market.
Explore the resources at your college. Most colleges have a Student Services Center and a Career Center. Never hold back from speaking with your department Dean or professors as they often times can help because they know the major very well and can make suggestions for whatever you may need. Also consider joining a Computer Tech group on campus because networking and making new friends can be both enjoyable and helpful. If you are having a problem with the subject material for any course, inquire about a tutor or study group for the subject when you visit the Student Center on campus. Most of being a college student is asking questions, so do not hesitate to do so.
You can also know that here at Career Village we are always happy to help. Good advice can be had here so do return and ask specific questions clearly stating what you need.
It's okay that you haven't decided about a specific career in computer science yet. Give it time. You will be inspired by life experience and going along your individual path. Read about the various career options and do some hands on work and eventually, you will make the decision. Take it slow and do not rush it.
Have a wonderful sophomore year at college and don't forget to have some fun while you explore your academic path !
Thank you for your advice, I hope to be more patient with myself and also just explore more. I'll give it time :) thank you again
Melvin
You are very welcome, Melvin !
Michelle M.
Solomon Woldemichael
20
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Solomon’s Answer
Hi Melvin,
Congratulations working your way up through college. You are on the right track.
In addition to obtaining resources from your college, there are external resources you can take advantage of to build a successful career in the Computer Science field.
While completing your degree try to identify your area(s) of interest you would want to explore more. It could be software development (front-end, back-end, full-stack). It could be Development Operations (DevOps), etc.
Once you have some understanding of what area(s) you want to focus on, build your skills upward from the fundamentals to advancing, and possibly specializing.
There are good resources online for you to create a free account and explore bundled courses (specializations). For example, Coursera is a really great platform for you to explore, starting now, while working through the rest of your college.
My advice to you is to learn as if you are going to teach other people. Having a deep understanding and applying your knowledge and skills to solve a variety of problems is key to your career success. Please find the links in optional next steps. Create free account(s) and start exploring. You are on the right path, keep going.
Link for Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/
Link for Cognitive Class. https://cognitiveclass.ai/
Congratulations working your way up through college. You are on the right track.
In addition to obtaining resources from your college, there are external resources you can take advantage of to build a successful career in the Computer Science field.
While completing your degree try to identify your area(s) of interest you would want to explore more. It could be software development (front-end, back-end, full-stack). It could be Development Operations (DevOps), etc.
Once you have some understanding of what area(s) you want to focus on, build your skills upward from the fundamentals to advancing, and possibly specializing.
There are good resources online for you to create a free account and explore bundled courses (specializations). For example, Coursera is a really great platform for you to explore, starting now, while working through the rest of your college.
My advice to you is to learn as if you are going to teach other people. Having a deep understanding and applying your knowledge and skills to solve a variety of problems is key to your career success. Please find the links in optional next steps. Create free account(s) and start exploring. You are on the right path, keep going.
Solomon recommends the following next steps:
Thank you I really appreciate it, going to do this right now :)
Melvin
Sasha Joogoolsingh
Human Resources
53
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Sasha’s Answer
Hello Melvin,
Computer science is a multifaceted discipline, drawing principles from engineering, mathematics, and information technology. It opens up a wealth of rewarding career paths in areas such as software development, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and beyond. Embarking on a computer science career begins with mastering the fundamentals of coding, delving into programming, and choosing a focus area that aligns with your interests and future aspirations.
Acquiring knowledge in computer science can unlock numerous benefits. These include securing jobs in diverse tech-driven industries, venturing into unconventional sectors that depend on technology, and honing skills that are transferable across various professions.
The realm of computer science also encompasses the use of computer programming languages to create a wide range of software programs and applications. Numerous roles regularly engage with computer science, including:
- Web developers
- Database administrators
- IT project managers
- Data scientists
- Computer programmers
- Computer engineers
- Software engineers
Delving deeper into the various branches of computer science can help you gain a clearer perspective on your area of interest. Many computer scientists opt to specialize in one or more areas to broaden their job prospects. These areas of study within the field include:
- Operating systems
- Computer networking
- Databases
- Distributed systems
- Programming languages
- Computer architecture
Here's a simple guide to help you get started:
1. Master the basics of coding. Start with fundamental programming languages like CSS and HTML, then progress to more advanced, object-oriented languages. You might find online courses or coding videos helpful.
2. Delve into computer programming. After establishing a coding foundation, you can explore programming, which involves understanding how and why code operates. This can be achieved by studying the interaction between computer operating systems, computers, and both hardware and software.
3. Choose a specialty. Computer science is a broad field, and once you've identified your career goals and interests, you can select a specialty. For instance, if enhancing the security of corporate systems appeals to you, you might want to specialize in network security or cybersecurity.
4. Further your education. Consider enrolling in a traditional university to pursue a degree in a relevant field. Earning an associate or bachelor's degree in subjects like computer science, computer engineering, or computer forensics can enhance your qualifications for more advanced roles.
I trust you'll find this information beneficial. Best of luck on your journey!
Computer science is a multifaceted discipline, drawing principles from engineering, mathematics, and information technology. It opens up a wealth of rewarding career paths in areas such as software development, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and beyond. Embarking on a computer science career begins with mastering the fundamentals of coding, delving into programming, and choosing a focus area that aligns with your interests and future aspirations.
Acquiring knowledge in computer science can unlock numerous benefits. These include securing jobs in diverse tech-driven industries, venturing into unconventional sectors that depend on technology, and honing skills that are transferable across various professions.
The realm of computer science also encompasses the use of computer programming languages to create a wide range of software programs and applications. Numerous roles regularly engage with computer science, including:
- Web developers
- Database administrators
- IT project managers
- Data scientists
- Computer programmers
- Computer engineers
- Software engineers
Delving deeper into the various branches of computer science can help you gain a clearer perspective on your area of interest. Many computer scientists opt to specialize in one or more areas to broaden their job prospects. These areas of study within the field include:
- Operating systems
- Computer networking
- Databases
- Distributed systems
- Programming languages
- Computer architecture
Here's a simple guide to help you get started:
1. Master the basics of coding. Start with fundamental programming languages like CSS and HTML, then progress to more advanced, object-oriented languages. You might find online courses or coding videos helpful.
2. Delve into computer programming. After establishing a coding foundation, you can explore programming, which involves understanding how and why code operates. This can be achieved by studying the interaction between computer operating systems, computers, and both hardware and software.
3. Choose a specialty. Computer science is a broad field, and once you've identified your career goals and interests, you can select a specialty. For instance, if enhancing the security of corporate systems appeals to you, you might want to specialize in network security or cybersecurity.
4. Further your education. Consider enrolling in a traditional university to pursue a degree in a relevant field. Earning an associate or bachelor's degree in subjects like computer science, computer engineering, or computer forensics can enhance your qualifications for more advanced roles.
I trust you'll find this information beneficial. Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you for the advice, im going to learn more about the different branches/careers in CS. I am happy that you said I should learn fundamental languages like HTML and CSS, I have started learning CSS and JS :) I am also learning Java and HTML in school so i have a good idea of what to keep learning
Melvin
You are most welcome. Looks like you are on the right path! Good luck!
Sasha Joogoolsingh
Kayle Haynes
Onboarding Experience Consultant
2
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Kayle’s Answer
Hello!
Your career path should be a reflection of your passions and interests. If you find yourself drawn to computer science, it's a fantastic field to consider. With technology shaping our future, there's a wealth of opportunities in this area. Here are some specializations that might pique your interest:
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- Software Engineering
- Web Development
- Systems Administration
As Michelle suggested, make use of the resources available at your college. The Student Services department is a valuable resource, and don't forget to tap into the insights of your peers.
Regardless of the path you choose, start building your network today. Cultivating relationships is a key steppingstone to success! Best of luck!
Your career path should be a reflection of your passions and interests. If you find yourself drawn to computer science, it's a fantastic field to consider. With technology shaping our future, there's a wealth of opportunities in this area. Here are some specializations that might pique your interest:
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- Software Engineering
- Web Development
- Systems Administration
As Michelle suggested, make use of the resources available at your college. The Student Services department is a valuable resource, and don't forget to tap into the insights of your peers.
Regardless of the path you choose, start building your network today. Cultivating relationships is a key steppingstone to success! Best of luck!
I will definitely visit the engineering career services at my college! thank you for the advice
Melvin
Hagen Finley
Technical Sales DELL Alliances
52
Answers
Fort Collins, CO
Updated
Hagen’s Answer
I agree with the posts from others with one caveat. Having spent 25 years in the IT business the hands-on administrative roles are contracting (becoming less sought after) and it's likely that AI is going to accelerate that shrinking in the future. Therefore, a focus on advanced mathematics (calculus and above) will position you better in computer science. I am not saying computer science is going away - AI is essentially computer science, but you need to come at it from the top down these days (AI to CompSci). Both AI and CompSci are rapidly changing fields, so your best bet is to have the math fundamentals that give you the flexibility and options to adapt to whatever those changes are.