Why you should study computer science

Getting a degree is something that used to be unusual – it made you stand out from the crowd when it came to applying for jobs, and it allowed you to earn a lot more money than someone without a degree.

Although these two last points are still valid, the fact that so many more people are going to school to earn a degree in the subject of their choice does mean that there is a lot more competition.

Yes, you can still earn much more with a degree than without one, and you can stand out assuming not many other people have the degree required, but the fact is, more people will be applying for jobs that, in the past, only a few people would have the qualifications to apply for. 

This means the job market becomes much harder to navigate, and finding a good job becomes much more of a challenge. 

At least, this is how it might feel. However, when you think a little more deeply, you’ll see this isn’t quite accurate. It might be the truth when it comes to some degrees, but for others, it’s quite the opposite.

For some degree subjects, there is still very little competition, meaning that the best jobs are much easier to come by. Computer science is one such degree. Read on to find out why you should choose it and see what benefits it can bring you. 

Technology Is advancing 

We’re living in a technological age, and it’s fascinating to watch all the developments unfold. In living memory – very recent memory, relatively speaking – new technology has come along that has changed the way we live. Examples of this include social media, smartphones, and streaming services.

Just a few years ago, these things didn’t exist, but as soon as they did, the world changed to accommodate them, and now it feels as though they have been around forever. 

If you think about what has already been achieved, created, and brought into reality, you must admit that the future is sure to be just as exciting. What else is on the horizon when it comes to technology and the way it can shape our lives?

The fact is that tech will always be innovating, and changes are usually implemented very quickly and in such a way that they become the norm very quickly. When you have studied for a master of computer science, you will see these changes taking form and potentially even see them through yourself.

Being at the forefront of technological innovation is something that not everyone gets to do, but with the right level of education and knowledge, you can be right there at the bleeding edge. 

Many career options 

There are very few sectors in any field that don’t use computers in some way. In fact, it might even be there are no sectors that don’t use computers – certainly, if this is not the case now, it will be in the future, and possibly much sooner than you might realise.

So, of course, the fact that we are so reliant on computers in so many ways to do everything from tracking stocks levels to communicating with customers to planning business growth means that, should something happen to those computers and systems, it could be disastrous. 

This is why there are so many employment opportunities for people with a computer science degree. No business is going to want to run the risk of losing everything – even if it’s only temporary – should their computer system fail or be breached in some way. 

When you have a degree in computer science, you can take your pick as to what sector you want to work in, since there will be computers and technology in every single one.

There are very few degree subjects that can offer such a wide range of potential career opportunities, and it can even be useful if you run your own business. This is because you will be able to implement computer safety measures that your competitors can’t because they don’t have the skills to do so. 

You can work alone or in a team

As well as being able to choose exactly which area you want to spend your time working in, or even choosing a number of different areas and becoming a more generalised IT consultant, perhaps in a freelance capacity, you’ll also have flexibility in how you work.

Perhaps you like the idea of going into an office. Maybe you prefer going from place to place and helping different people (as would most likely be the case in the freelance consultant capacity mentioned earlier).

You might simply want to work from home, enjoying the fact that technology gives you the option to work remotely if you desire. 

This is the wonderful thing about a degree in computer science. You can choose exactly what you want out of your career, and that means you can choose to work in a team or alone, remotely or in an office, for someone else or for yourself, and so on. 

Everyone has their own ideas about how they like to work, but not everyone gets to put those ideas into practice. With a degree like computer science that can offer so much, you’ll have so much more choice – you’ll be in complete control of your career and your life. 

Global opportunities 

We’ve mentioned the numerous choices you’ll have as a computer science graduate, but one that you might not have considered is the travel you could enjoy as part of your career. When you work in computing and IT, travel can be a big part of your job, depending on your own preferences.

After all, computers are used all over the world, and when you have a specialist degree like computer science, you’ll be in demand. 

When it comes to giving yourself the best chance of a fair work-life balance, computer science and the travel opportunities it can offer you is an excellent choice.

You’ll be able to work in a sector you enjoy – whatever that might be, and remember, the choice is yours – and you’ll be able to enjoy your downtime in a variety of fascinating places. 

When you are choosing a degree subject that is going to give you the most out of life in all ways, computer science is certainly one to consider.