The subject of computer science offers a wide variety of thrilling, diversified, and high-growth occupations, from software development to cybersecurity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the number of jobs in computer science will rise by 13% between 2020 and 2030.
This book will assist you in navigating the many various computer science career pathways, occupations, and skills required to break into the field, whether you’re just starting out, considering a career change, or trying to expand your expertise.
The area of computer science is lucrative and has uses in numerous sectors. In general, you are probably a good fit for a career in computer science if you enjoy problem-solving, working with computers, and difficult mathematics.
Computer science’s fundamental goal is to use computers to solve problems, which necessitates a solid background in mathematics, data structures and algorithms, and programming. A large portion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in computer science includes discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and calculus.
Software engineering, along with other highly sought-after technical specialties like cloud computing, is one of the most popular job choices for computer science graduates.
It is clear that cloud-native computing, DevOps, Linux, and security represent the most promising chances for people looking for the greatest career options.
A background in computer science, however, can lead to many different professions and subjects. Data science, product management, quality assurance, project management, and system administration are a few of these professions.
Juan Carlos, an edX student, for instance, was able to change careers from engineering to product management at Rolls-Royce by progressively honing his computer science abilities. “MIT’s Introduction to Computer Science Master Degree and Programming with Python was merely the first of a number of online courses that ultimately helped me change careers at Rolls-Royce, from engineering to product management, with confidence years later.
Jobs in computer science encompass more than just software engineering. Your job can go almost anywhere if you have computer science abilities, from data science to cybersecurity. Here are just a few of the most sought-after positions in computer science.
Due to its high pay and flexibility with remote work, software engineering is regarded as one of the greatest careers in computer science. Computer programmers who specialize in software engineering use engineering principles to develop software and applications. Web frameworks, version control, at least one programming language and test-driven development must all be understood by software developers.
Cloud engineering is one of the most sought-after careers in cloud computing. A cloud engineer makes upgrades and keeps up with cloud resources. They have a variety of duties, but some of them include using technologies like TerraForm to construct and maintain networks and infrastructure. There are various types of cloud engineering, according to Upkar Lidder, senior software engineer and instructor for IBM’s Full Stack Cloud Developer Professional Certificate.
Mobile (or app) developers, in contrast to web developers, create and design applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The majority of mobile developers either employ a cross-platform technology or focus on native platforms like the Android or iOS operating systems. In both ways, mobile developers need to be proficient in front-end development and coding languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
The intersection of user experience, business, and technology is product management. One of the main responsibilities of product managers, who are responsible for a product’s experience, is to collaborate cross-functionally with developers, marketers, and designers to build features.
There is a global skills shortfall for cybersecurity specialists, according to workforce research. The information security engineer, who develops and evaluates security software that is resistant to cyberattacks, is one of the most crucial positions in the cybersecurity industry. Information security engineers need to be well-versed in cybersecurity frameworks and computer science.
The role of computer systems analyst may be a suitable fit for you if you’re trying to break into the information technology (IT) industry. Computer systems analysts make a median pay of $93,730, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A computer systems analyst’s job is to investigate an organization’s computer systems and suggest changes or upgrades.
Naturally, many of the skill sets needed by data scientists and data analysts also apply to computer science. Professionals in data science frequently automate much of their work using programming languages like Python or R and spend a lot of time cleaning data for their machine learning algorithms.
An appropriate undergraduate or graduate degree is not necessary for all computer science careers. For instance, certifications are valued more highly by companies in cybersecurity than degrees. Nevertheless, formal schooling may be essential for some professions, such as software engineering. According to information from a 2020 StackOverflow survey, 75% of developers hold a bachelor’s degree.