Running head: PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21st CENTURY

Pursuing a Computer Science Major in the 21st Century Chester E. Kiluk Trident University International

PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21st CENTURY

Abstract This paper is written to explain why it can be beneficial to pursue a degree in Computer Science in the 21st century. A few things this research will explain are the differences between a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) and a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology Management (BSITM). Another thing we will talk about it some of the different career opportunities with pursuing a degree in CS. Maria Klawe Ben Shneiderman advised that in the past 50 years the Computer Science field is vastly growing, generating an intellectually rich industry that has reshaped the lives of modern people not only in the United States but across the globe.

PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21st CENTURY

Lets start off with the first topic which is going to be a brief explanation on getting a Computer Science degree in the 21st century. We can go over some of the positive aspects of studying CS, the difference between the Information Technology Management (ITM), a few of the difficulties that also come with CS, and finally we'll cover the career opportunities that the field of CS opens up for us. By starting off this paper by explaining on the differences between a ITM field and the CS field will not only give you the knowledge between them, but also the understanding of different things throughout this paper. Computer science is the blending of principles, theories and applications of the technologies that underlie the access to information and at its basic level, computer science is about solving problems. Designing and implementing software, creating new uses for computers, developing solutions to computer problems, and planning and managing technological infrastructures are some of the key aspects a computer scientist may end up dealing with. Information Technology and Computer Science are one in the same and in turn one cannot exist unless the other is there. Reason being is the need for information technology pushes the people to study Computer Science thus leading the future scientists to develop new tools for supplying better information management. If you obtain a degree in Information Technology Management (ITM) you will know the how, where, and what stores as well as manages information. As you can see that both of these career fields are walking hand in hand with each other, yet both of them serve a different purpose. Now that we have a basic understanding of these fields lets now delve into the benefits of going into the CS field. If your goal is to earn a lot of money, then perhaps knowing the fact that
PURSUING A COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR IN THE 21st CENTURY 4

when it comes to getting paid, computer related jobs are among the highest. If money isn't your goal the fact that computing jobs are potentially limitless in there level of potential should spark your interest. Unlike some jobs like a construction job that once a building is finished the job is over, computing is something that has never ending possibilities and the only limits are those you put on yourself. Various studies have shown that during the next 5-15 years computer jobs will be in the top 10 growing fields and when you consider how the economy is changing all the time a career in computers has considerable benefits. Now here is the sound of the other shoe, the bad news. Computer science is constantly changing almost daily as it is not only a broad but also a knowledge based field. Something that can seem like the next best thing today can be outdated and old the next day. This is why studying in this field is so challenging as you have to keep up with the ever changing technology. Granted we cannot predict the future in this field, so the most we can do is prepare and study for today adapting to each day as it comes anew. Don't let the challenges of this change your thoughts though because hard work pays off with results. There are many job opportunities that are seemingly endless to those pursuing a career path in computer science. According to http://www.computersciencebachelordegree.com/ it shows three different possible career paths through obtaining a degree in computer science. These different roads are designing and building software, developing effective ways to solve computing problems, and finally devising better ways of using computers such as robotics. We have gone through various things such as the differences between computer science and information technology management. I've also gone over the pluses and minuses to this field of study and how it's useful in today's world. Remember that in computer science the only limitations are those you set upon yourself.

Sources Klawe, M., & Shneiderman, B. (2005). Crisis and Opportunity in Computer Science. Communication of the ACM, 48(11), 27-28. Retrieved from http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ben/p27-klawe-CACM-10-2005.pdf http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-computer-science.htm http://computingcareers.acm.org/?page_id=8 My day to day job in my career field