24.10.2022
A computer science degree is one of the most versatile degrees that you can study. It can lead to a career in virtually any industry, including tech, finance, and gaming. And, as the world becomes increasingly digital, the demand for computer science graduates is only going to increase.
So, why should you study a computer science degree as a career switcher? Here are some of the main reasons:
People struggle with learning new things. We tend to have an initial bout of motivation, which after faced with an obstacle such as a lack of time or competing priorities, tends to fall by the wayside.
Suddenly, you find yourself 6 months down the line with only the “Introduction” video on Coursera ticked as complete. Your goal to learn to code seems ever further away.
Then, you stumble upon another course. This one has slightly better reviews, shorter videos… Why did you even decide on the first course anyway? You embark on this new course, full of motivation, and… The cycle repeats.
Does this sound familiar? While the knowledge in computer science can be acquired on your own, especially with the wealth of computer science content available online, it’s easier understood whilst doing actual courses at a university. Let’s explore the reasons why.
Firstly, the content is specifically selected, organised and delivered to you in a meaningful way. Self-taught coders don’t have the structure of a degree program unless they make it for themselves - a university does that for you, and provides the deadlines to keep you motivated. You no longer rely on your own discipline, and instead have a meaningful goal in mind.
Secondly, you’ll be surrounded by your professors and fellow learners, who will bounce ideas off you, answer questions, and expand your ways of thinking. Learning something new is much easier when you’re in an environment when that is the norm. If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with others.
Computer science graduates are able to understand and solve complex problems, and have the ability to think creatively to develop new and innovative solutions. Expertise in computing helps you even if your primary career choice lies elsewhere.
According to the Association of Computing Machinery, “"Having a computing major will provide you with a foundation of knowledge, problem solving and logical thinking that will serve as a competitive advantage to you in your career, in whatever field you choose.” So, as a career switcher you may simply be looking for a way to get ahead in your current role, and a computer science degree is a great way to get there.
A computer science degree can demonstrate academic rigour to employers, as well as teach you how computers work. You might not learn how to program a hash function, but you’ll understand when to use one. You may not know the latest hot languages, but you’ll understand the general principles the languages are based on.
The most obvious advantage of a computer science degree is that you’ll be able to find your first engineering role far more easily. Many candidates without a CS degree don’t pass the initial HR screening, even for junior positions.
Degree candidates have an advantage here, as they have proof of prior education in the field. Proving you can learn things without formal education is of course possible, but this will be much harder.
As well as being in high demand, computer science graduates are also very well paid. The median annual salary for computer science graduates is $84,000, and the top 10% of earners make over $120,000 per year. So if you're looking for a well-paid career, computer science is definitely worth considering.
And it's not just entry-level salaries that are high. Computer science professionals also have great earning potential over the course of their careers. With experience and expertise, they can progress into senior roles with even higher salaries. So if you're looking for a career that will offer you financial security, computer science is an excellent choice.
Having an advanced degree can help with interviews. You might wonder why the likes of Google, Apple and Facebook hire programmers who are particularly good at applying their data structures and algorithms knowledge. Programming is all about data structures and algorithms. It gives you insight into ways of solving problems, and how to evaluate the efficiency of an algorithm.
They need employees who can choose the right algorithms to save companies resources like servers, computation power, and money of course! Programmers who work at these companies must be able to write efficient and flawless code, which requires a good knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
Understanding which algorithm to implement, rather than simply the how, can be the difference between your code executing in the smallest amount of time and memory, and your code taking so long to execute you’ve timed out the server and no requests can be completed (speaking from experience…)
The market is becoming more competitive, and being able to demonstrate your commitment to learning and self-improvement through studying a degree will be a real advantage over other candidates.
Having a wider breadth of theoretical knowledge allows you to make better decisions. A degree can be proof that candidates are able to apply and learn new things - a proof of knowledge for more complex projects.
The theory of a degree can prove to be the difference between knowing the way to do something, and knowing why we do it that way. As you become more senior, you take on more responsibility in the development process, and while experience is incredibly important, understanding the principles behind decision-making can be crucial.
In a work setting, knowing concepts such as relational calculus, Big O notation as well as UML diagramming can really set apart a developer from those who are self-taught. The depth of knowledge is much greater if you study a degree, as you touch on so many topics that can be relevant for your role. However, self-teaching or bootcamps often follow a straight line approach - learn the fundamentals of exactly what you need to know, and nothing more.
This can mean in new situations bootcamp graduates aren’t as flexible - you learn a single stack, and how to apply it.
One of the great things a computer science degree provides is the ability to move countries. Governments often don't care about how good you are at a job, they just care about having the paperwork. Having an MSc is a good means of proving you are in a specialist occupation and can fast track you into any kind of immigration process.
Furthermore, if you choose to study abroad, you may qualify for a postgraduate visa, allowing you to live and work in another country with your new educational credit. This can provide a wealth of opportunities, and for some countries such as Canada, can often be the best way of immigrating.
As a career switcher, you can study a part-time masters that will take less time to complete than a regular undergraduate Bachelor’s degree. Plus. the part-time element allows you to continue working in full-time employment and receive a salary.
Some options to look at are: