Computer degrees seem to have gained popularity among students despite the odds. That’s according to data from the Computing Research Association.
According to the CRA Taulbee Survey, Computing Degree and Entry Trends, 2010-11, enrollments in undergraduate computing degree programs rose 9.6 per cent in the 2011-12 schoolyear, according the report. This was the fourth consecutive year with an increase in computer science degree program enrollments.
Students are increasingly looking for computer degrees. This is indicative of a rise in computer-related career opportunities that can be both financially rewarding and fulfilling. Here are some computer degree programs, and what they can lead you to.
1. Computer Science Degree. According to payscale.com, the computer science degree was ranked number 10 in the 2011-12 college salaries report. The median starting pay for computer science graduates is $56,600. Mid-career it can reach $97,900 depending on education and experience.
What kind of careers can you pursue after you complete this program, and what are the options? Computer science graduates have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of exciting career paths.
Software engineers, for instance, design and develop software programs that allow people to accomplish specific tasks using the computer. Meanwhile, an information systems manager (or information technology manager) plans, coordinates and directs all computer-related activities in an organisation.
2. Computer Programming Degree. As the name implies, a computer programming degree trains graduates in different programming languages and gives them the ability to continue learning new languages when they are released. This degree can be taken at the bachelor’s and associate levels depending on your professional goals.
Computer programming programs prepare students to become programmers. These coders convert software engineering designs into actual applications. They create a set of instructions that the computer can follow using a programming languages such as Java or C++.
Computer programmers have access to the most current technological innovations, including mobile apps and tablets. Computer programmers also design web applications, videogames, financial, medical, and educational programs.