Computer Science Career Opportunities
What Does Someone Do in a Computer Science Career?
As an employee in the field of computer science, there is a wide variety of places that you can work and roles that you can engage in. From being employed by an organization to working as an independent contractor, you can find the job in computer science that fits your career goals.
Some of the roles that you might fulfill in a computer science job are:
- Support specialist
- Software developer
- Computer systems analyst
- Web developer
- Research scientist
- Project manager
- IT specialist
- Information security analyst
- Computer science engineer
Although each of these roles will carry different responsibilities, here are some of the common skills that you will need for a job within the field:
- Develop and/or test new software
- Troubleshoot and repair problems with internet access, hardware, software, etc.
- Oversee an organization’s network and employee accessibility
- Manage the security of the internal network
- Communicate with colleagues and clients about problems and needs
- Train colleagues in using programs and hardware
Level of Education for Computer Science Career
In order to be prepared with the skills required for a job in the computer science field, it is important to have an associate’s degree at minimum. A two-year degree can allow you to serve in entry-level positions, such as a support specialist or web development role. It can also allow you to start working and gain experience in the field while you pursue additional degrees.
However, to open up more career opportunities, you will want to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in computer science. An undergraduate degree will allow you to fulfill nearly any role in the computer science field. You will want to ensure that your coursework includes classes in mathematics, programming, and algorithms, among other technology courses in order to ensure that you are prepared with the skills you need.
Depending on your ultimate career goals, you may choose to pursue a master’s degree or PhD. While this is not required for most jobs in the computer science field, an advanced degree can help you move into more senior and leadership roles overseeing larger technology departments or responsibilities. Additionally, more specialization through additional degrees can help you acquire new skills to apply to research, development, and management positions.
Since the coursework in a computer science degree includes significant hands-on training, practicum work is not always required in this field. However, internships are available in some positions and can help build your resume with experience for future positions.
Computer Science Career Outlook
The salaries and career opportunities available to those in the field of computer science can vary based on the specific position and the geographic location of the job. While the information on computer science job salaries and outlook is delineated by the specific position, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm] states that the median salary for those in computer and information technology is about $91,000. However, some positions that require advanced degrees and more leadership, such as a computer and information research scientist, can yield more lucrative salaries.
The field of computer science provides the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world. However, some locations have more jobs to offer and higher potential salaries. Texas, California, and New York are the states with the most available jobs in the field of computer science. For salary, California, New York, and Virginia offer the highest wages for employees in the field.
Overall, the outlook for jobs in the computer science field is very promising. Positions are expected to increase over 10 percent in the next decade, which is much faster than the average for other fields. The time to enter the field of computer science or to find a new position along your career path has never been more opportune.