Computer science is an incredibly flexible degree that can open up numerous doors for your career development. Computer science isn’t just about staring at screens and inputting monotonous code: the discipline will teach you computer architecture, abstract problem solving, data analysis, computational logic, and so on.
All of these skills you learn could launch you down hundreds of different career paths in virtually any industry you can imagine, and here are just five to consider.
Software Development
Software development is one of the go-to career choices for computer science students. Software development is simply the general creation, design, implementation, and upkeep of computer software.
Software development requires knowledge in at least one programming language and a bit of creativity no matter what stage of development your program is in. You have to consider the interface of your software, what computer code is capable of accomplishing, ways to ensure the program loads smoothly, and most importantly, how well it will work for the people who regularly use it.
Website Design
Websites are in demand today, individuals and brands alike desiring webpages to express themselves. Computer science teaches you the essentials of web design, from creation to maintenance, and you can land yourself a gig at any stage of web development.
One example of a specific web design job you can get is a freelance web developer. You’ll take on clients and help them flesh out websites, from designing them from the ground up to debugging and fixing pages. You’ll be self-employed and able to work at your own pace. Web design is a great way to get started on learning about coding and to understand development structure.
Video Game Development
Video game developer is definitely one of the more exciting careers you can get from a computer science degree. As you can imagine, game development used to require a huge amount of coding knowledge, not only in writing the code but debugging and making sure everything is functioning properly. Now there are free-to-use platforms such as Unity and Unreal that’s ‘code-free’ which makes it easy for any newcomer to understand how game design engines work. There will still be a handful of moments that require customizations for your game, and this is where programming knowledge becomes a game changer.
Even as a student, you can start work early as a video game programmer, developing games on your downtime and seeing where they go. With tools mentioned above, there are a plethora of assets available for beginners to use as well. Video game development requires commitment and creativity, as you’ll be crafting a story and making characters on top of typing code.
Bioinformatics Engineer
Biotechnology, simply explained, is the application of biological systems like living organisms and their parts to develop technology and products, especially in the medical field like antibiotics and vaccines.
Bioinformatics engineers develop the software that biotechnologists use. Bioinformatic engineering requires a deep knowledge of algorithms and software engineering, but also familiarity with biological systems. You won’t be working in a laboratory setting, but you’ll be working on the code for those who do.
With bioinformatics, you’re working with computers, but you’re developing software that will help biotechnologists and biologists solve real-world problems. It’s bioinformatics that powered the Human Genome Project, for instance.
Interactive Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Designer
Designing a good interactive reality requires a lot of foresight, planning, coding, and experimentation, and computer scientists are incredibly prepared for the task.
VR/AR design not only allows you to flex your computer science skills, but you also get a chance to pour in your creativity and understanding of the human psyche. What kind of VR/AR will you design? How will you make your world as immersive as possible? What are some techniques you can use to fool people into thinking it’s really there? How will you make your virtual or augmented reality interactive?
This is a fun and niche job opportunity that was unimaginable until recently with the rise of accessible modern technology.
