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What are good personal attributes and qualities to be a good candidate for the computer science field?

I'm considering going into computer science in my future, so I would love to know what qualities would be good to have to be able to make a good candidate for computer science.
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Facundo’s Answer

I agree with Rachel. I've been working for the last 10 years hiring developers and related jobs, and one thing that is not always mentioned is communicational skills. That old bias of being a lone wolf, a rockstar, is no longer what companies need. You need to connect with teams (often global teams), so how you communicate ideas (but also listen to ideas!) is what drives companies nowadays.
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Richard’s Answer

I would make sure you are always wanting to solve the problem or debug the issue and be persistent, but remain humble and know when you need to ask for a second set of eyes or opinions. The great thing about Computer Science experience is you can apply that knowledge and showcase it in other ways within industry. For instance, if you like being around other people and helping them understand topics, you could become a consultant or sales engineer. If you rather go into research and academia, you have that opportunity, as well. If you prefer to work in small teams to create new things - you can do that as well. Ive seen Computer Science folks go on to become Vice Presidents of Sales, Vice Presidents of Engineering, Directors of products, Product Marketing, and the list goes on. Certain topics really limit you, but with the way technology is interweaved into every fabric of society, there really is no bounds to where a computer science degree can take you.
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Somil’s Answer

Apart from Rachel's answer, I would like to add some technical areas which will be helpful for you to study if you are planning your career in Computer Science

Mathematics
Do you like mathematics? Which topics do you enjoy the most in mathematics? Geometry, statistics, algebra, probability are some of the topics which can be really helpful in your computer science career.

Problem Solving
The most important skill to possess, is general problem solving. Do you like solving puzzles, logical reasoning, giving step by step instructions in great detail to be followed if someone needs to finish a given task ?
Can you keep tinkering with an electronic item/ toy/ plumbing issue etc. till you fix it? I am not saying you need to have interest in electronics/ plumbing etc. its about the attitude of not giving up till you find out the relevant details required to solve any given task at hand.

Creativity
Are you creative? Do you like to draw, paint, make crafts, origami, miniature models ? There is a lot of demand for creative people who can make easily usable and beautiful user interfaces. Creatively inclined individuals are also in high demand in the animation industry.

Management
If you are good with people and people management, and have inclination towards technology in general. You can also look for a management career in technology. Most companies prefer managers from technical background, a combination of Management and Technical interests can open up some really lucrative career options for you.
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Bradley’s Answer

Hi, Computer Science is such a wide field I'd say everyone can find a way to fit in. All you need is to have an interest. With that interest? it is like a seed. You plant the seed and decide to water it by learning and applying things. Computer Science can be working with the internal parts of the computer maybe that interests you? How does it work on the inside? What makes it work? And with that you learn the building blocks of computing. So the parts like CPU, Memory, firmware, input/output, hardware etc

Or maybe you care more about USING the computer so you run simulations about traffic where theres zillions of bytes of data that has to be processed so you use SQL statements to organize and process things

But all I ask when I hire people is that you have an interest, you can take notes and you can study, solve problems or at least try and ask questions when you need help. Having the interest helps carry you thru to solutions.

Id say study computers from the 1950s, we had a national emergency to get into space first; The effort and accomplishments of those working to build up our space program remains the pinnacle, the example of applied computer science.

Bradley recommends the following next steps:

Learn about 1950s space programs and computers
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Renu’s Answer

Apart from having the technical/IT knowledge/skills, I highly believe that hiring manager are also looking for your people skills (how to deal /talk with people e.g your posture, your confidence, how you communicate, carry yourself, dress code etc.) Technical skills can be learned but soft skills are your interpersonal skills that can be applied anywhere in your life (not only carrier).
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Hien’s Answer

Hi Maria,

Some of the needed skills to be a good computer scientist are:

1.Innovation
2.Analytical and critical thinking
3.Problem solving
4.Learn on the fly
5.Teamwork, ability to work on cross-functional/cross-organization teams

Wish you the best.
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Bhavya Raju’s Answer

Great answers here. For me - its been curiosity and willingness to ask questions till you get answers served very well.
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Rachel’s Answer

The major thing I've heard from hiring managers in computer science careers (at least, in software engineering where I work) is that they want good tech skills, but they LOVE good communications skills. I've been told by a previous manager that it's easy to train someone to write code (or whatever the technical skill of your choice would be), but it's much more challenging to train someone to communicate effectively on a team. Definitely study the skills required for your field of choice, but also try to take as many courses in communication and developing documentation/technical writing as you can. These will give you those desirable soft skills that make you stand out from a crowd (and everyone in the field knows computer sciency folks aren't usually great communicators).
Thank you comment icon That's good to hear, I'm a pretty good talker. Thank you Rachel! Maria
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Cat’s Answer

In my experience the only qualities needed to be excellent in this field is an interest and passion for the work you are doing. Communication skills are a great to have, but can be learned over time. If you think you are interested in computer science and think a career in it is something you would enjoy, you should absolutely pursue it, there is no quality that ALL developers have. A well rounded team needs all kinds of people. Good luck!
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Ashutosh’s Answer

Being an engineering graduate , I would say the very first thing you should have is logical thinking and patience to debug your codes. Math is one of the best way to enhance your logic. Before starting my graduation, even i was going through the same thought. The answer is quite simple, if you are good at logic go for it.
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Ateeb’s Answer

Being a team player with good communication skills is very key. There are way too many lone wolves that think they know better. It will definitely help you stand more. Meticulous documentation skills is also quite rare.
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shweta’s Answer

+If you have an interest in Computer science building techniques like logical thinking , Problem solving , Mathematics would be helpful .There are number of different fields and options you can choose from .
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Deepak’s Answer

I think to be a good candidate for the computer science following qualities are required:
1. Interest in solving problems/puzzles and logical thinking of problems.
2. Ability to grasp Mathematics concepts and relate them to computer science problems.
3. Ability Self learn

Everything else can be acquired over a period of time.
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Abhishek’s Answer

To be able to make a good candidate for computer science and to make a best out of it, one should have decent knowledge of mathematics and logical thinking. Apartment from that eagerness to learn new technologies as it keep on advancing.
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Sudarshan’s Answer

In my Opinion he/she should be know how to analyse the problem and apply his/her own logic. There is no rule that only a certain steps are needed to follow as others are following. You need to think and solve it according to your own logic as in the end results matter the most.
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Dheeraj’s Answer

Hi Maria,

If you are interested in solving puzzles or you are always curious about understanding how things work then these are good traits, to begin with. Also if you are interested in keeping yourself updated with the latest in the market by reading various blogs available these days is a good thing.
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KUSHITHA’s Answer

I think having a computer science degree gives you a wide range of career options . It develops you be a thinker, good mathematical skills and how to analyse the problems and apply logic. It gives you a good foundation and opens up a wide array of opportunities where you can on to become a developer, technical support, database admin, IT Risk managment or technology auditor.
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