Computer technology has become an integral part of our lives today, touching virtually every aspect of it, from movies to cars, to the various ways that we communicate and interact with one another, to business and government administration.
In the 21st century it’s almost imperative that you have at least some understanding of computers. Additionally, having specific skills in computing will help you go a long way. Whether you use it to create a brand new app or to sell a new idea to your company, studying computing will give you that edge that you need, as it provides you with the necessary skills to overcome complex problems, and a career that will outlive you.
So, for those of you who are interested in a career in computing or maybe those of you who are undecided, below you will find a list of 5 reasons why you should consider studying in this field.
1. Huge Entrepreneurial Opportunities
For those of you who graduate in computing, there are a massive amounts of entrepreneurial activities that you can take up. Depending on where you who, whether you’re a new graduate or someone who has graduated several years ago. There are massive opportunities, many of which are separated by the amount of money you’re able or willing to invest into it.
If you have the smarts, then there is a good chance you could develop an app that others might want to buy. All you’re required to do is identify a problem, then create the solution, locate your target market, that is, those who need the solution, and then reach out to them. One trap you do not want to fall into is being that individual with a degree in computing that is looking for a job. Rather you should have all that is required to setup your own business. The reality is, many people lack imagination, don’t have their priorities in the correct place or simply lack the passion or intelligence for the field.
There are tons of mediocre computer science graduates that are making large sums of money making apps on Play Store for others to purchase. All it would take is for you to learn any one of those operating systems (Android or iOS) and start developing apps that solve problems or games that entertain. Games, if done well, can be very addictive, which makes them potentially more profitable. Some apps you could look into include word processors, speech to text apps, photo editing tools and more.
You could also establish your own app company and advertise your services to small and medium sized businesses. For example, you could create apps for organisations, websites, banks, virtually any company that deals with the public. You could also create your own online agency which maintains and develops websites, offering consultation in managing a website, in addition to SEO services.
2. Virtually Recession-Proof
There are an infinite number of companies out there looking for talent in the field of computing. Currently, as I write this, there are more computing jobs than there are people qualified to fill these roles. Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that jobs in information technology and computing will grow anywhere from 15% – 35% over the next year or so. If you consider this large expected growth, it’s very easy to see why many companies are always on the prowl for talent. And it’s the computer science students of today, expected to fill that hole.
3. Gives You a More Rounded Academic Education
When you have a background in computer it provides you with a necessary foundation of knowledge and skills in logical thought, and problem solving that will give you an edge in your career, regardless of what it is in. Having a degree, certification or something similar in computer science lets others, such as employers and universities know that you have a fully fleshed out education.
4. Tons of Freelance Opportunities
Apart from the more obvious audio, video, graphics and writing services, there doesn’t seem to be any other kind of skill that presents you with as much opportunities in the world of freelance as a degree in computer science does. Every website on the internet required a computer science expert in order for it to function, or at least someone with identifiable skills in the field of computer science. This also goes for databases, applications and more.
Because it’s proven to be more cost-effective to outsource technical computer operations to freelancers, many companies are not shy about having a good amount of freelancers as part of their team. In addition, it’s also possible for you to own the actual website that you use to advertise your freelance services, whether it be in website design, software development or anything else related to IT.
If you go on any of these marketplaces and job broads, such as Indeed, Fiver, Upwork etc., you will find literally thousands of requests for services in the field of computer science, and in most cases, there are not enough people to fill all these jobs.
If you want to be a successful freelancer, then it’s important that you take the time to hone your skills, so you become as good as possible. Most companies, when they hire a freelancer, they expect the best possible quality. With all the different freelancers available online, this increases the chances of a company finding the right fit for a job, especially when compared to the kind of talent they’d be able to source locally. Essentially, freelancers are seen as the cheapest way to hire talent for a team. And in most cases, you can expect the freelancer to cost less than an in-house team member. This is the primary reason why these kinds of opportunities continue to grow at a fairly considerable rate.
5. Strengthens Your Main Career Choice
Would you like to work in the health care, education or arts field? You could still have a major (or minor) in computer science. Especially if you opt to strengthen it with additional learning opportunities, such as extracurricular activities, internships, and graduate school. Either way, when you decide to take up computer science, it will help give you a more rounded skill set, that you can use and apply to many career jobs, and will also give you that competitive edge within the job market.
AUTHOR INFO
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.
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