The field of computer science is one of the most exciting and lucrative careers you can choose.
But unfortunately, many students start their college careers to be software engineers or something similar, only to discover that these degrees are not as easy to get as they thought. The good news is that other STEM courses can help you prepare for this exciting career without taking your time in college. All you need to do is know what they are.
According to research, the mean wage of STEM-specialized students in May 2021 was around $100,000 in the US. In addition, the highest paying jobs are for Computer and Information Systems students, which is why a Bachelor of science in computer science is in demand and why they can earn a whopping salary of $162,900 annually.
Having a Background in STEM Courses is Beneficial for Computer Science Graduates
If you are interested in computer science, having a background in STEM courses is beneficial for students looking to pursue a degree and career in the field. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These classes build a strong foundation for students by giving them hands-on experience with various topics related to their chosen career paths.
The curriculum at most colleges includes math classes like calculus, statistics, or algebra, science courses such as biology or chemistry, physics courses such as mechanics or electricity, computer programming courses, engineering courses such as mechanical or civil engineering, robotics courses, etc.
Top 6 Career Opportunities for Computer Science Students with STEM Courses
A strong background in STEM courses will give you a leg up when it comes time to apply for jobs. Employers are looking for candidates who have chosen to learn STEM sources or activities outside the classroom, such as robotics competitions or science fairs.
1. Security Engineer
You may want to consider becoming a security engineer. It is a job title that doesn’t always mean the same thing, but generally speaking, it refers to someone who works in information technology (IT) and focuses on security. Learning STEM is a great way to help you meet your goal of becoming a security engineer.
Security engineers manage and maintain an organization’s systems, networks, and data through technology. They also help ensure that all companies’ information remains safe from hackers and other cyber threats. In addition, security engineers work closely with IT teams so they can be updated on new vulnerabilities that could put your company at risk of being hacked. This partnership allows them to develop solutions for keeping everything secure and train employees on how to prevent attacks from happening in the first place.
You don’t necessarily need a computer science or engineering degree if you want to pursue this career path. But having experience with coding languages such as HTML5 or Javascript would help. As per reports, the mean salary of cyber security engineers in 2021 amounted to $135,000 annually in the US.
2. Mobile Application Developer
There are plenty of opportunities for computer science students with STEM courses, one of which is becoming a mobile app developer. He is a person who develops applications for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. A mobile app developer has many responsibilities, from analyzing user needs to designing the architecture, coding, and testing applications.
Mobile application developers usually work as part of a team with other software engineers and designers. Some companies specialize in developing applications for certain platforms, while others provide services to support the development process. In addition, they provide tools or frameworks that individual developers can use.
3. Data Scientist or Business Analyst
Data scientists analyze, manipulate and present data to find information that helps make decisions. The job requires technical skills, such as programming and statistics. STEM education helps students learn the skills they need to enter this career. You will also need to know how businesses work. In addition, you need to be able to communicate with people at all levels of the organization so they understand the value of your work and can act on it effectively.
A data scientist or business analyst also evaluates current business processes, analyzes existing problems within a company, and recommends ways of improvement. The recommendation is based on data collected from various sources, such as sales figures or employee surveys. They also develop new strategies for improving business performance by creating cost models and identifying areas where improvements could be made using technology solutions.
4. Web Developer or Designer
Computer science students with a background in STEM courses can choose to be web developers who design and build websites. Web designers do the same thing, but they focus more on the look of a site rather than its functionality.
Web development is broken up into two subsets, front-end and back-end. Front-end development includes HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Back-end development involves server-side languages such as PHP or Ruby on Rails.
Web developers need to understand how all these different parts work together to build a functioning website from scratch.
5. Database Administrator
If you’re interested in working with databases, a career as a Database Administrator (DBA) may be the right fit for you. Database Administrators are responsible for managing databases and database servers. They ensure that the database runs smoothly and efficiently. They also help ensure that the database is secure, backed up, accessible by authorized users, and optimized to run as efficiently as possible.
A DBA’s responsibilities include:
- Planning databases
- Designing storage structures, including tables, indexes, and views
- Creating backup strategies to prevent any loss of data due to any issue on the server or with its physical hardware
- Creating disaster recovery plans in case any system goes down unexpectedly
6. Software Developer
Software development is a wide field with many opportunities. Software developers can work in many industries, such as healthcare, finance and insurance, education, and training. They can also work on various projects, including mobile apps, web applications, and enterprise software systems. Computer science students who have taken STEM courses are more likely to be hired than their peers who have not.
Software developers can work in small, medium, or large companies, as well as government agencies or non-profit organizations.
The industry is moving toward more collaborative development environments where teams work together on software products that may span multiple platforms.
Computer Science Graduates Have Many Opportunities in Their Field
Computer science graduates have many opportunities in their fields. There are many different career paths for computer science students, and they can work in various industries. Students who major in computer science can get jobs as software engineers, programmers, web developers, and systems analysts.
Computer Science graduates with STEM courses will also have opportunities to work on research projects at universities or other research institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is expected to grow by approximately 11% between 2021 and 2031.
Technology is constantly evolving and growing rapidly across all sectors of society. Whether programming or designing games, there will always be opportunities for students to learn STEM.
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