Computer science is one of the fastest-growing careers, with a job outlook of 15%, which is higher than many other occupations. If you are interested in the subject and want to pursue a career in such a lucrative field, then this article is for you! Below are four ways you can prepare for college and find what aspects of computer science you like the most.
Determine What Computer Science Means to You
Before deciding to go to college and major in computer science, you should ask yourself the following questions: Are you doing it for the money? Because you enjoy the intricacy of it all? Or are you not sure about the future and want a flexible degree that will allow you to join any field?
Regardless of the answer, knowing the driving force behind your hard work can serve as a great motivator when things get harder. A computer science degree is no easy feat, but with the right mindset and proper preparation, anything is possible.
Build a Skillset
To become a top performer at your school and your future college, you should consider investing some time into building a skillset. Computer science, as the name implies, has an emphasis on math and coding. Thankfully, there are endless resources on the internet catering to students who want to learn more about math and coding.
As a high school student, you have probably heard of Khan Academy. If not, Khan Academy is an online resource that has lessons in higher-level math and computer science. Going through these lessons and having an initial understanding of computer science will help you in the long run and will make your job easier.
Explore Coding Tools
Once you have reviewed computer science concepts and feel prepared to move forward, then it is time to put them into practice. As aforementioned, the beauty of computer science is that the possibilities are endless and you can decide what path to take.
If you are someone who wants to build apps, then look no further than App Inventor. App Inventor is a cloud-based tool maintained by MIT. The tool includes all methods, functions, and coding elements that you need to create an Android app.
If you are more interested in 3D programming, try Alice. Alice is a desktop app developed by Carnegie Mellon focusing on teaching the fundamentals of 3D programming. While using the app, you can actually see the code behind the projects you are creating. If you are a visual learner, this might be the app for you!
However, if you are just looking for an app that can teach you the basics of coding in a formal and organized manner, then consider Codecademy. Codeacademy is an interactive online tool that teaches coding fundamentals, Ruby, PHP, jQuery, Python, JavaScript, and more. The online tool is set up in a way that allows you to write code and see the changes as you go.
Have Fun!
At the end of the day, remember that this is just the starting point. No need to stress yet! Find fun in what you’re doing and let that, alongside your answer to the questions from earlier, be the driving force behind your work. Good luck!
Written by: Isamarie Hernandez Arroyo
