Important Facts About Computer Science Careers
The prospect of computer science careers is definitely on the bright side in the future. It doesn’t matter if you are venturing into computer science field or if you are still in college getting your computer science degree, you have chosen the right career that has a positive outlook.
Even though the dot-com era may well be over, the forecast for computer science careers by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is that most of the jobs in the computer fields will have an excellent future.
Computer science careers include a wide range of jobs covering hardware, software and information technology. The following are some facts that you need to know about computer science careers.
Types of Computer Science Careers
There are a wide variety of jobs related to computer science careers. Some examples of computer science jobs are software engineers, computer programmers, system analysts, database administrators, computer support specialist and system administrator. The responsibilities related to these jobs involve developing software, writing code, designing webpage and building computer hardware. Besides, some computer science jobs include maintaining a network of computers in large corporations, schools or hospitals while others provide technical support to end users.
What You Do as a Computer Science Professional
A job in computer science careers can be differentiated into a couple of areas with each area having different job functions. Some common areas in computer science careers are jobs that deal with software, jobs that relate to computer users, jobs that deal with digital information and jobs that deal with hardware.
If you are involved in jobs that deal with software such as a computer programmer, you will mainly perform tasks related to code writing and troubleshoot software applications.
For jobs that support computer users such as a technical support specialist, your job mostly involves providing training and trouble shooting for company employees or private users of computers.
On the other hand, for jobs that deal with digital information such as a database administrator and system analyst, you will be doing jobs that maintain a network of computers.
For computer science jobs that deal with hardware, you will be involved in jobs that modify or repair hardware or install software.
Education Requirement for Computer Science Careers
At least a bachelor’s degree is required for entry into computer science careers. Certifications in certain programming languages or applications are highly recommended. Advanced degrees or even a Master degree is often a requirement for those who want to go into system administration, database management or research and development.
Coursework in a bachelor or master of computer science degree should cover software development, computer science theory, technical math, database management and coding algorithms.
Skills Requirement for Computer Science Careers
Certain skills are required for professionals in order to excel in computer science careers. Skills such as analytical and creative thinking are necessary for computer science professionals when writing code and designing software applications.
Moreover, computer science professionals must have excellent multi tasking, problem solving and mathematical skills in order to effectively tackle the challenges in the jobs.
Other than technical skills, soft skills such as excellent communications skills, able to work independently and effectively with people across all departments are highly sought after for computer science professionals.
Job Outlook and Prospect for Computer Science Careers
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) predicts that there will be a bright future for all jobs related to computer science careers when our society is heading towards a sophisticated future. The demand for all jobs related to computer science careers will increase tremendously in the coming years when new technology is being discovered and more and more computers are being used for research and development in all areas especially in medical and biology field.
Computer software engineers are highly sought after in the coming years according to OOH. The need for database administrators and system analyst is expected to continue to increase over the next 1o to 20 years.
Salaries of Jobs in Computer Science Careers
Computer science professionals are categorized into high income earners. They are in the top 5% of the country’s highest wage earners. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for computer science professionals was $98,000 as of May 2008. And the average wages are set to increase in the coming years.
Even the lowest 10th percentile of computer science professionals earned roughly $60,000 per year.
A fresh graduate of computer science careers makes roughly from $45,000 to $55,000 when they are just right out of college with minimal job experience.
The highest 10th percentile earned about $150,000 per year.
