The Importance of Pursuing a Computer Science Major in the 21st Century 1

Trident University
CSC 111 Foundations of Computers and Program Design
The Importance of Pursuing a Computer Science Major in the 21st Century
Cody Moehler
July 12, 2014



THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21ST
CENTURY 2

3,578,220 people are currently employed in the United States in the computer science
fields according to Open Education Database. $80,180 is the annual mean salary nationwide for
these individuals (2012). With new technology and information sharing becoming more critical
than ever that number will only continue to rise. However, the rate at which degrees are being
awarded for the computer science field has fallen drastically in the past decade. This slump in the
industry of qualified candidates is an opportunity in disguise for anyone interested in pursuing a
career in computer science.

Computer Science degrees are extremely valuable because they can branch out into
numerous career fields throughout every organization. The benefit of obtaining one of these
degrees holds more than a monetary meaning because the means of knowing you possess the
skills and knowledge to shape the future of computing and entertainment needs for all.
According to the Online Education Database, Skilled scientists are in demand, because of all of
the technological advancements our society is having, especially to computer scientists.
Advancements like Cloud, mobile applications and all sorts of advancements give many
opportunities to computer scientists. The difference between computer science and other
traditional fields, however, is that what is advanced now may be obsolete in 5-10 years, forcing
the field to be ever-changing. There are many things changing in the 21
st
century, and computer
scientists will be the innovators allowing this to happen, in all areas of our life. The digital world
is creating a revolution, and being in the business you will be a part of it (2012).

THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21ST
CENTURY 3
Choosing between a BSCS and a BSITM can be a problem for someone who doesnt
have a clear understanding of what each degree is and how it can be utilized. The BSITM degree,
according to Trident University, gives students a basic understanding of both technical issues in
IT management and managerial applications. While that is good for those who want a general
overview on some aspects of computing and IT, it doesnt prepare you to actually solve problems
with computers like the BSCS does. The BSCS degree gives its graduates the knowledge to
understand the computing world as it is, and to understand the process to advance. In short it
prepares you to understand problems and fix them while expanding on existing and new ideas
and programs.

The computer science degree is not effortless, along with everything else it comes with
its own set of challenges and frustrations. With technology changing at a more rapid pace than
ever before, the ideas on what should and will be taught is forced to evolve with it. Many people
get discouraged when attempting to obtain a computer science degree because what they are
learning may not necessarily be the same skills they will be able to apply once they are graduated
and in the work force. This is frightening for many people who arent ready to work in the
unknown. Another challenge when learning computer science is its taught so late in ones
education. Unlike math or sciences that are taught from grade school, most individuals arent
taught nor offered a computer science class until late high school or even early college. By the
time these classes become readily available, most people have an idea of what they want to do
based on the education they have already had, which is difficult because your passion for
computer science would often come from personal experiences, instead of technical education.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21ST
CENTURY 4
These seem to be some of the lead reasons for the so-called drought in computer science
degree recipients.

Whatever you think computer science is, youre wrong, says Dianna Xu, chair of the
computer science department at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania. This statement offers the
idea that most people have preconceived notions of what computer science is and how it is
applied in the working world, which is often wrong. Rebecca Vandermuelen of College Express
says, Computer scientists use technology to solve problems. They write software to make
computers do new things or accomplish tasks more efficiently. They create applications for
mobile devices, develop websites, and program software. TV shows and movies have come to
portray IT persons or computer programmers as anti-social, behind the scene individuals who are
only there when something needs to be fixed for someone else to accomplish a task, when in
reality the computer programmers and IT individuals are the ones that control how the whole
system operates and are what drives a successful business. These computer scientists work as a
team with every division and group of the company to make things happen. Without computer
science majors no modern day business could flourish and prosper.

The computer science field isnt a one size fits all career path. While IT is one avenue of
computer science there is so considerably more to it. Having a computer science degree sets you
up for potential career paths ranging from database administrators, game developers, information
systems managers, multimedia programmers, network engineers, system analyst, system
developers and many more. In the future, seventy-five percent of all jobs in technology,
engineering, or mathematics in the U.S. are going to be in computing (Calvin College). In
THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21ST
CENTURY 5
todays economy, knowing that your degree will be applicable to majority of all new job opening
is a reassuring feeling. With your BSCS you will be able to apply your degree and yourself in a
new and rewarding career field that will continue to grow with the advances in every industry in
every country in the world. Not many occupations affect every person in the world, but a
computer scientist will be behind every great development and endeavor in our lifetime.
Computer scientists have the ability to not only work in a field where they can contribute to our
technological advances, but they also have a huge part in connecting the world in all areas, and
that is an important position.















THE IMPORTANCE OF PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21ST
CENTURY 6

Works Cited
Computer Science Careers at a Glance. (2012, May 1). . Retrieved July 7, 2014, from
http://oedb.org/careers/computer-science/
Klawe, M., & Shneiderman, B. Crisis and Opportunity in Computer Science.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM, 48, 27-28. Retrieved July 12, 2014, from
http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ben/p27-klawe-CACM-10-2005.pdf
VanderMeulen, R. (n.d.). What Can You Do With a Computer Science Major?. .
Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.collegexpress.com/interests/science-and-
engineering/articles/careers-science-engineering/what-can-you-do-computer-science-major/
The Market for Computing Careers. (n.d.). . Retrieved July 12, 2014, from
http://cs.calvin.edu/p/ComputingCareersMarket
AGCAS. (2014, February 1). Options with your subject: Computer science/IT. .
Retrieved July 12, 2014, from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science.htm