A Career in a Computer Science Field - Essay Example

Insert Insert Grade Insert 06 November A Career in a Computer Science Field A visit to my uncle’s place of work was the beginning of a lengthy journey of career in computer science. My uncle worked for an outsourcing company and he was in charge of information technology. Incidentally, my uncle was among the first people to study information technology when it was introduced. Therefore, he never found it hard to obtain employment. He had always prevailed upon me to study IT so that I can have a successful career but I had shown little interest in matters concerning technology and computer science. This trip opened my eyes as I really admired my uncle’s work place and I developed a desire to establish a career in information technology. Settling on computer science was not an automatic choice as I never knew that such a course exists. However, after my visit to my uncle at his work place developed the interest in IT and this drove my curiosity to understand more about IT and computer courses. I visited several institutes, colleagues and universities in search for an appropriate course in the area. Throughout this experience I settled on computer science after realizing that it was the best IT course that incorporates quite a number of parameters. I was also guided by the job market trends that indicated that computer science was inherently marketable and that I could earn myself a job very quickly after graduation (Dorsey et al 56). Above all I just liked working with computers and this added to my enthusiasm of settling on the IT course. The field of computer science involves a number of IT applications and is growing day by day making it necessary for professionals to update their knowledge on a regular basis, this is one of the reasons why this field is interesting. A job in computer science is a desire of many people because of the perks it offers along with the pride and glory that comes with working in the field. However, landing a job in the vast profession does not come easy as a number of requirements are prescribed in the process of joining the vocation (Lurie 23). A degree in computer science is a necessity for one to join the professional and graduate education is a minimum for a good start in the profession, though one can be employed with diploma in the same field but at a relatively lower pay. Academic qualifications and experience are required. Under normal circumstances, experience in computer science is an added advantage in the sense that people who have already worked in this field have a higher chance of getting hired at any given time (Jerome et al 34-43). This is because of the fact that people with experience are considered reliable because they posses practical knowledge of how things work in the expansive field. No company or firm wants to hire fresh graduates on priority basis because of the fact that fresh graduates lack practical experience and the company has to spend a lot of time, money and efforts in training them. To get a job in the computer science profession, candidates have to apply to the respective companies through written application letters. The letters include their academic qualification, relevant work experience, and interest in the job and career objectives among others. The company reviews the application letters before selecting the best among them for short-listing. Once the company shortlists the candidates they selected, few are invited for interview sessions to determine their suitability. The interview process involves three sections; oral, written and practical. Through oral interview the candidates face a panel where they respond to questions touching on their suitability for the job. Written interviews involve the candidates completing a written test regarding their academic and professional competence. Last and most important is the practical test in which the candidates are required to exemplify their practical abilities through completing a task. The interview ends with the selection of the successful candidates for the job. Those selected are inducted into the organizations and begin to work (Smith et al 53). Obtaining a job in the computer science sector is not easy. One needs a number of strategic positions in order to be successful in this endeavor. First is the aspect of connections, the computer science field is inherently segmented that it is necessary for people to be connected. To obtain a job, it is advantageous to be introduced to an employer by somebody who has contact with them; more importantly a person working in that field. Therefore, in seeking job opportunities in this vast field one must ensure that he is in contact with people working in the field. Internships are imperative because they offer the candidate the required experience since that is an added advantage in the endeavor of searching for a job. Internships involve working for firms either voluntarily or at a small fee so as to learn more about the field. Apart from experience, internships offer professional connections that are equally important in the job search process. Computer science remains the most competitive and rewarding profession of all as it is highly rewarding to work in the calling though the requirements are quite higher. Computer science offers the best salary scale of all and people working in this profession tend to flourish financially. In comparison to the many other professions, the profession offers the best career prospects for people who join it. In fact, one of the reasons why most people join the profession is the ability to offer the best remuneration of all. There is no other career that offers such salary perks as computer science. However, a part from salary, the field of computer science is inherently captivating and demanding making it enjoyable to people who thrive on adventure and expedition. Hence, the job has a lot of other benefits to the workers other than the salary. The working environment is so rewarding, that is, it assists in making the worker motivated and enlightened all through. Such an experience makes them viable and prolific in any endeavor as their cognitive skills are elevated (Lewis and Dale 78). On average a degree in computer science can fetch you about $500 salary without allowances while undergraduate can earn averagely $230. This makes a career in computer science very promising as regards salary scale. There is great satisfaction gained from working in the field of computer science. Satisfaction with the job emanates from the demanding and rewarding nature of the profession along with the opportunities for personal, social and professional development. Under normal circumstances, every person wants to work in a job that provides opportunities for growth and development. The computer science job area is an avenue that guarantees the development of individuals working in the industry. Empirical research indicates that computer science is among the best rewarding profession with regards to personal social and career development and that most people working in this profession do not want to quit because of the many prospects for growth. Additionally, many people with desire to change careers want to shift to computer science sector. The future holds great things for the vast field of computer science. It is obvious that the field will expand exponentially in future to incorporate the emerging trends in IT. As a pioneer sector in information technology, computer science has to change with the times. Therefore, people currently working in the field of computer science must brace for the process of developing new skills or updating the abilities they have. In winding up, a career in the field of computer science is the direction college students should take because it offers a variety of benefits ranging from pay, job satisfaction along with actualization. From my own research into the vast area of computer science I can comfortably advice college students to consider a career in computer science. Information technology is the way to go in today’s modern world and there is no way one can survive today’s challenges without IT. The pioneer profession in the field of information technology is computer science. The skills gained in computer technology course can not only be used in obtaining a career in the profession but also used in the day to day activities of modern digitalized society. A career in computer science is definitely a good idea and the students stand a chance to be successful in their endeavors with no regrets at all. As college students ponder in their next step in career and education, computer science is the best bet for good results, the future of this field is promising and the students stand a chance to win if they venture out. Works Cited Dale, Nell and Lewis, John. Computer Science Illuminated. Washington: Jones & Bartlet Publishers, 2012. Print Dorsey et al. Career Paths: Charting Courses To Succeed Fro Organizations And Their Employees. Washington: John Wiley and sons, 2011. Print Jerome et al. Step By Step to College and Career Success. Washington: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print Lurie, Steven. Handbook for Early Career Success. Washington: Dog Ear Publishing, 2009. Print Smith et al. Computer Science: An Overview. Washington: Addison Wesley, 2011. Print Read More