What careers can you get as a computer science major?

Nowadays , the influence of technologies is ever rising and with a speed unmatched. Computer science is one of sciences that finds its place in all fields - technology or otherwise. Speaking from a personal experience , i joined Cisco as a Network Consulting Engineer Intern a few months back and in around 2 months I will be a full-time employee. Being predominantly into networking - one of the primary sciences of computer science , we have customers from a variety of fields- banking, finance ,hospitals, service providers and believe me even farming too! Speaking form personal experience , the pace of IT industry is so fast that everyday you get to learn something new and apace with the evolving world. Everyday I feel that there is so much to learn about these new technologies and hence the immense career growth potential.

Apart from that there is an entire list of career opportunities that stem from CS. The pay is nice with huge growth potential and perks.

Here are some options to look into-

1.Data Scientist

2.Software developer

3.Web & Mobile App developer

4.Network Engineer

5.IoT specialist

6.Cloud developer

7.Artificial Intelligence Expert and many other exciting options.

Please thoroughly research into these technologies , and choose according to your interests and start right way.All the best.!!

Security Engineer

Security engineers make sure that the IT systems can withstand possible sources of disruption, from natural disasters to malicious hacks. In 2014, Sony, JP Morgan, eBay, SnapChat, U.S. Postal Service were just some of the names who suffered from hacks and data breachers. Clearly, security needs will only grow as more and more of our lives move online.

• Support network security efforts such as firewall audits, network design reviews and internal security consulting.
• Oversee network security functions such as intrusion detection and vulnerability scan programs.
• Keep current with new developments in security industry including alerts, bugs, vulnerabilities, and malware and evaluate/report on their potential business impact.
• Keep current with technology advancements in the network security space in areas of network design, security products (e.g., firewalls, IPS/IDS, WAF, wireless security, VPN), and threat vectors.

Technical Support

Technical support may help clients of the company’s products or the company’s employees to resolve technical issues.

• Installing and configuring computer hardware and applications
• Ensuring that the computer system and networks are running properly
• Instructing staff or clients how to set up systems or troubleshoot issues
• Following diagrams and written instructions to repair a fault or set up a system;
• Responding to support tickets within a reasonable amount of time
• Testing and evaluating new technology;

Database Administrator

When you go to an e-commerce site, a blog or a social network, the content are all pulled from a database. A database administrator ensures that the data remains consistent, data is clearly defined and that users can access data in a way that suits their needs.

• Mapping out the design for database
• Controlling access permissions and privileges;
• Work closely with administrators, programmers and other staff to ensure information is entered into the database correctly.
• Monitoring performance and managing parameters to provide fast responses to front-end users;
• Considering both back-end organisation of data and front-end accessibility for end-users;

Technical Writer

Technical writers communicate technical information about products and services in a way that is easy to understand, such as user guides for the latest gadget, instruction manuals for appliances, FAQs for an online application. The information may be presented as videos, illustrations, and graphs, as well as text.

Assessing the audience and the nature of the documentation required by:

• Understand the concept of the application and designing documentation based on the users’ needs
• Writing and editing the information
• Commissioning, coordinating or preparing illustrations;
• Indexing and cataloging material;
• Copy-editing.

Data Scientist

While a computer science background is helpful to become a data scientist, you also need good business acumen and strong analytical skills. Good data scientists sift through all available information sources to look at problems from multiple angles and discover new insights about the business. They want to learn and bring change to the organization.

• Perform and interpret data studies and product experiments concerning new data sources or new uses for existing data sources.
• Develop prototypes, proof of concepts, algorithms, predictive models, and custom analysis.
• Design and build new data set processes for modeling, data mining, and production purposes.
• Determine new ways to improve data and search quality, and predictive capabilities.
• Help the business understand and evaluate data science use-cases appropriate for their businesses
• Collaborate with business and technical teams to formulate the problem, recommend a solution approach and design a data architecture

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer hardware engineers build the physical components of the computer systems. They research, design, develop and test computer equipment, from servers, routers, printers, chips, circuit board, military equipment, medical equipment and more.

• Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirement
• Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications
• Study user needs and recommend appropriate hardware
• Test and verify hardware and peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements by recording and analyzing test data
• Monitor equipment then modify appropriately for function to ensure proper system operation

Application Developer

Applications developers create programs that complete specific tasks, such as browsers for surfing the web, graphics software for editing images, and accounting software to keep our books straight. The latest and the hottest jobs are of course, mobile application developers.

• Establishing a detailed program specification through discussion with clients;
• Breaking down program specification into its simplest elements and translating this logic into a programming language;
• Devising possible solutions to anticipated problems;
• Adapting the program to new requirements, as necessary;
• Conducting user testing to ensure the program can be used easily, quickly and accurately;
• Writing detailed documentation for the operation of the program by users and computer operators;
• Updating, repairing, modifying and developing existing software and generic applications.

IT Project Manager

The IT project manager oversees the budget, timeline, and supplies, and labor for a project, such as a software product release and building new IT infrastructure. Project managers may coordinate with many departments and personnel.

• Developing project plans, goals, and budgets; identifying resources needed
• Developing schedules and methods for measuring results
• Guiding and performing strategic analysis for the project
• Organising and managing all phases of the project to ensure on-time completion
• Assembling and coordinating project team members; assigning individual responsibilities
• Preparing requests for proposals and conducting all necessary meetings to facilitate selection of project services and products
• Planning and overseeing the preparation and dissemination of project communications.

Games Developer

Games developer create and produces games for the myriad of devices we have today, from desktop computers, game consoles and mobile phones. From designing the game’s look, mechanics, audio, programming, localisation, testing and producing, a game can take up to three years to release.

• Developing designs and/or initial concept designs for games including game play, scripts, and storyboards.
• Using 2D or 3D modeling and animation software
• Producing the audio features of the game, such as the character voices, music, and sound effects;
• Programming the game using programming languages such as C++;
• Quality testing games in a systematic and thorough way to find problems or bugs and recording precisely where the problem was discovered;

Network Administrator

Network engineers ensure the integrity of high availability network infrastructure in order to provide maximum performance for their users (e.g. customers, staff, and partner organizations).

• Monitor network traffic and bottlenecks
• Troubleshoot network problems and outages and scheduling upgrades.
• Establishing networking environment by designing system configuration, directing system installation, defining, documenting, and enforcing system standards;
• The support and administration of firewall environments in line with IT security policy;
• Upgrading data network equipment to latest stable firmware releases;
• Configuration of routing, switching equipment, and hosted IP voice services

Kiera,

Thanks for posting this question but to me it seems This is very broad. Computer science field is very broad Horizontally as well as vertically.

I would suggest to you to look for interests from your Major subjects like AI, Databases, OS, etc . Once you know your area of interest you can look for more in-depth knowledge by opting for more advanced level course like Masters/Post-Doc etc.

As a career wise I would suggest to also start attending Seminars/Local Meetup/Confrences. It will help you to understand latest trends in industry.

ThankYou

A Computer Science degree will enable you to get into different software engineering and related fields and it won't prevent you from looking at other options if you decide that software engineering is not your cup of tea. You have really made a fantastic investment in your future!

I have a B.A. in Philosophy. I have a Masters in Business and Accounting. I ultimately chose to augment my education through some other courses and self study. I have been in software engineering for over 20 years. I love it and the career has given me great opportunities to learn and grow.

I wish you all the best!

Hi Kiera,

I hope all is well. Computer Science is a wonderful major and there are different careers to utilize your degree. With a computer science degree, you can become a software developer; database administator; computer hardware engineer; computer systems analyst; computer network architect; web developer; information security analyst; computer & information research scientist; computer & information systems manager; IT project manager; technical writer and mobile application developer. You can work in a variety of work settings. There are various careers in computer science. You would have to find which computer science career that you are interested in and what fits you best.

Kiera,

A Computer Sciences degree is a great entry-point for an IT Career and can open doors for a lot of opportunities. It is really the solid foundation for a lot of possible technology-related jobs. Here are some traditional careers:

1. Application Development
2. Network Engineering
3. Site Reliability Engineering (people that keep the cool applications and platforms running)
4. Technical Support
5. etc

Read: Software is eating the world

Because computers are literally exponentially more capable than they were 20 years (Moore's law etc) and cheap. They are being used to help humans across industries perform tasks. Specifically, you can build websites, or mobile apps, or desktop apps or data processing systems.

The real value is building knowledge in a non computer science field like marine biology and figure out how to build software for that. It's more about what you are interested in and I'm sure there's an opportunity to build software for it.