The Value Of A Computer Science Degree

Andy West asked:

Computer science and information technology has long been known as a great field to get into, but lately there has been a rumor going around that the industry is in a slump, causing fewer students to enroll in a computer science degree program. Unfortunately, the rumor is not at all true, and students are being turned away from a field they are interested in for no reason: The technology industry is still booming, still creating lots of new jobs every day, and still a great field in which to work.

Here are just a few reasons why you should still get that computer science degree and pursue your dream career:

Technology-related jobs are expanding at a phenomenal rate. Many students in the United States worry that the computer science industry is short-lived, because so many corporations are outsourcing technical support and other services to foreign countries such as India. The truth is, though, that the IT industry in the United States is growing far faster than the outsourcing trend. Many more computer science jobs are being created every year than those being eliminated in favor of outsourcing.

A technological world means job security. Let’s face it; we are now more dependent on technology than ever. Common sense, then, should tell us that technological jobs couldn’t possibly be decreasing, when technology itself is on the rise! As more and more of our life is computerized, more and more IT jobs will be created to support and maintain our accustomed lifestyle. This means that a computer science degree offers job security — your particular specialty will always be in demand.

Enrollment in computer science degree programs is down. Unfortunately, many students have taken to heart that computer science is a bad field to get into, and as a result fewer students are enrolling in computer science degree programs. Since the IT industry is in fact expanding within the United States, the result is that the students currently enrolled in computer science programs will have less competition entering the workforce when they graduate.

Computer science jobs are just plain fun. Computers are a hobby and a passion for many people. If you love working with computers and technology, don’t be persuaded to choose another career path by the rumors that IT is a doomed field in the United States. The truth is, of course, that the industry is still booming as much as, or even more than ever, but it’s about more than just that. How much is it worth to you to have a job you love? Many American adults never experience this satisfaction; so don’t turn away from your dream just because somebody tells you the industry is failing, particularly when they are wrong.

Despite what the rumor mills have to say, computer and technology related jobs still have a lot going for them, making a computer science degree a smart choice for any student.