CAR: Lesson - Careers in Computer Science
Careers in Computer Science
Computer Science (CS) and advances in technology have affected every thread of our lives and will continue to do so moving forward. What does that mean? There are countless computer science opportunities in most, if not all, career pathways. Currently there are CS careers in culinary, agriculture, art, fashion, public service, healthcare, sports, music, transportation, and this list can go on and on.
Truth be told, many CS careers do not exist yet!
Do I Need Math?
You may be asking yourself: Do I need to be good in advanced math to enjoy a career in CS? The answer is no! While math skills are great to have, basic math skills (adding, subtraction, multiplications, and dividing) are sufficient for many careers. That being said, if math is one of your favorite subjects, there are many careers in CS to choose from.
Whether you love math or consider it your arch nemesis, CS is for everyone. Whether you are consuming food, wearing the latest fashion, enjoying music, drawing cool characters, or planning a tour to outer space, Computer Science is everywhere and is open for everyone.
What About Coding?
Another question that you may have: Do I need to know how to code or create programs to enjoy a career in Computer Science? Again, the answer is no, but coding is considered a helpful tool to have in many CS careers. In fact, some jobs require coding just to be able to apply for the job. Even so, computer science covers such a vast array of careers, if you aren't that interested in coding, you can still find a career in CS.
What Sorts of Jobs are Available?
Here are a few careers in CS that you might consider (this is just a small sample of jobs in the field):
| Career Name | Computer Support Specialist | UX/UI Designer | Quality Assurance Analyst | Project Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description |
A career that focuses on providing end-user support |
UX = user experience; UI = user interface. This career focuses on the interaction of people with technology |
This is a managerial position, in which you would be responsible for overseeing the product. Making sure that the product works, fixing issues that come up, designing testing procedures, etc. |
A project manager oversees a team that is working on a development project. For instance, the coding team for a video game will have a project manager overseeing the work load and assigning tasks. |
| Average Salary | $55,510 | $75,370 | $110,140 | $75,700 |
| Other Names for the Job | Technical Support Specialist, Help-desk Technician, Computer User Support Specialist | Interaction Designer, Product Designer, Visual Designer | Computer Systems Quality Assurance Analyst, Manufacturing Quality Assurance Analyst, Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Project coordinator, Team leader, Project leader |
| Education Required | Some college or an undergraduate degree | Usually a college degree, but at least some coursework in the specific field of design | Bachelor's Degree | Bachelor's Degree |
| Experience Required | Computer knowledge | One Year in CS | 1-2 Years in CS or IT | 1-2 Years in CS or IT |
Other careers include Data Science, Software Development, Computer and Information System Manager, or an Information Security Analyst. The point is that if you have an interest in computers or coding, the career options are wide open!
Computer Science Entrepreneurship
Some careers you might enjoy in future may not exist today. That's why it is so important to do your best in every class.
What's really amazing is that some opportunities in Computer Science will not exist until you create it! That's right - it might be that you make the next big app that helps people out or that you open a business featuring some new technology. Some students reading this slide may actually become an entrepreneur and create career options for others that will capitalize on computer science and technological innovation.
It's important that you discover what you're good at. What are your gifts and talents? As you discover your gifts and talents, be sure to practice and perfect your strengths. Your gifts will make room for you!
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