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Peter Kim
Prof. Riedel
English 1A STACC
21 February 2015
Exploring The Field Of Computer Science
A stereotypical imagery may enter ones head when they encounter the term Computer
Science: A computer nerd being sucked into the bright light of their screen, while tickling their
keyboard meticulously. It may not be the most attractive sounding field after all. However,
Computer Science is a broad field of study in which one can take as a route to specialize in one
of the many different branches available. The careers that stem from this field are not limited to
presumed skills such as logical reasoning and analyzing. Computer science is a field of immense
scale where its knowledge may apply universally.
One may ask the question of, Is computer science really the science of computer. In a
way it can be defined as such, as it is the science that deals with the theory and methods of
processing information in digital computers, the design of computer hardware and software, and
the applications of computers (Dictionary.com). Just like any other science out there, theory and
methods are often used as a set foundation to analyze information and make sense of them. The
study of Computer Science starts with a fundamental understanding of what a computer does.
The very foremost is The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (Eta Kappa Nu),
which is to to teach you the core concepts of computer science (Eta Kappa Nu) according to
the National Electrical and Computer Engineering society of Eta Kappa Nu. By understanding

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the fundamentals, one may seek out two major branches that gradually guide their career path.
The first branch is called the Machine Structures. This particular study focuses on the
six big ideas that drive modern computing architecture (EKN) or in another words, ideas that
shape the hardware structure of computers today. It also dives deep into how the hardware and
the software connect together, much like how one would observe the connection between the
brain and the body. The second branch is the study of Data Structure. The purpose of it is to
teach you basic algorithms, data structures, and fundamentals of software engineering (EKN).
Putting it simply, it explores the software side of the computer. For example, algorithm may be
studied to explore the way a search engine shows the best result. Data structures and
fundamentals of software engineering lead to more of programming side of computer science.
By having a solid foundation from the following studies, one may utilize that knowledge
to branch out into different career paths. According to Association for Computing Machinery,
there are four possible career paths as a Computer Science major. The first category is
Designing and implementing software that refers to the work of software development which
has grown to include aspects of web development, interface design, security issues, mobile
computing, and so on (Association for Computing Machinery). Software development is what
most people know as creating apps for phones, building websites, or even games. It is one of the
career path that requires skills other than just reasoning logically. Often times, all of the
software engineering courses incorporate team projects as significant graded components
(Undergraduate Software Engineering) according to the article Undergraduate Software
Engineering. Teamwork as well as creativity are crucial in software development careers. The
next category is Devising new ways to use computers which refers

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to innovation in the application of computer technology (ACM). In this field, people get
together to solve other problems in areas such as robotics, computer visions, forensics by using
computers. Basically, the main idea is to use computer as a main tool to solve difficult challenges
around world. This path often requires further study in graduate programs to take part in research
or development laboratory. The third path is Developing effective ways to solve computing
problems (ACM). It is a theory based field as you work to find the best way to solve computing
problems. As the field before focuses on devising new ways to use computer to solve challenges,
the algorithms and the theory developed in this path work to make that task easier. Often times,
this path requires a graduate work to the Ph. D level and participation in research. Lastly, the
remaining area is Planning and managing organizational technology infrastructure (ACM).
This path is led by the new Information Technology (IT) programs which focuses on educating
individuals to meet the computer technology needs by various organizations. Such organization
may be the government, school, or business. The main work is centered on providing an efficient
technology infrastructure for any type of organizations.
As diverse as Computer Science is, one may be unsure of pursuing this field. The level of
understanding and the amount of effort required to sustain oneself in this study is often high. For
many people, such thought may cause them to take a step back from getting into this field. At
many times, roughly 40 percent of students planning engineering and science majors end up
switching to other subjects or failing to get any degree (Christopher Drew) according to the
article Why Science Majors Change Their Minds (Its Just So Darn Hard). As the statistics
shows, Computer

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Science or any other field similar in nature are not for everybody. In fact, Min Young Huh, a
current student in Berkeley University of California reveals the hardship of this field. Min Young
Huh expresses the difficulty of this field by saying Almost every day, I go to class, come back,
and study at the library until midnight. Sometimes its more during test weeks. During the times
Im not at class, Im helping at a research. Computer science is one of the hardest major out
there (Min Young Huh). Although its a broad field with so many possibilities in career,
Computer Science is not a field that may be taken lightly.
Even though Computer Science might not be the easiest path to take, there are positive
aspects that help to overshadow the cons. One of the factor that would interest anyone the most is
the pay range. According to the article Computer Science Major Ranks No. 8 for Salary
Potential, starting salary for computer science field is around $59,800 and midcareer salary is
around $102,000. The pay is hefty for those willing to overcome the challenges to find a career
in this path. Also, the job outlook for Computer Science majors are positive. In the article 10
College Degrees That Could Pay Off in 2015, Computer Science is listed as the number one
major that has the best job outlook. According to the article, employment for information
security analysts is expected to increase 37% in the decade leading up to 2022. Furthermore, jobs
for computer systems analysts are expected to increase 25% during the same time frame (Holly
Johnson). These careers are only a fraction of this field which continues to grow along with the
others. As long as interest and motivation are sustained, one may set their foot on a career that
may guarantee them a stable future.

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Computer Science is a diverse field in which the knowledge one obtains from it may
apply in various ways. It is much like English of the tech world, in a sense that the once you
learn it, you are going to use it everywhere (Min Young Huh). Often times, people working in
this field are like friends, the environment is lenient, and people are welcoming towards new
ideas (MYH). Just as one may communicate with peers and brainstorm endlessly about ideas in
an English class, Computer Science is a magnification of the same discourse community.

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Works Cited
Bednarz, Ann "Computer Science Major Ranks No. 8 for Salary Potential." Network World.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
Computing Degrees & Careers.ACM. n.p. n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
http://computingcareers.acm.org/?page_id=8
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/computer science?s=t.
Drew, Christopher. "Why Science Majors Change Their Minds (Its Just So Darn Hard)." The
New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Nov. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), Mu Chapter. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
https://hkn.eecs.berkeley.edu/courseguides
Huh, Min Young (2015, February 20). Facebook Interview
Johnson, Holly 10 College Degrees That Could Pay Off in 2015. The Simple Dollars. N.p, n.d
Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
LUTZ, MICHAEL J., J. FERNANDO NAVEDA, and JAMES R. VALLINO. "Undergraduate
Software Engineering." Communications Of The ACM 57.8 (2014): 52-58. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.

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