Why NOT Major in Computer Science?

When considering pursuing a college degree, it is important to learn what the chosen discipline can offer and the outlook of its job market. If you have found computing devices ( ranging from personal computers to hand-held devices) indispensible in your life, maybe it is worth the time and effort to find out if computer science is for you and why it should be your first choice.

If after reading this page you are still having a hard time making the choice, please contact Charlene Tsai (ctsai@iona.edu) for more information.

What is Computer Science?

So, what is computer science? It is not just about keyboarding. It is an in-depth study of computer technology, involving both hardware and software, to advance the development of all disciplines imaginable. This is what makes computer science such an exciting field! So, what are the major fields that benefit from computer technology directly.

• Entertainment, such as computer gaming and movie production
• Communication, such as mobile devices and data networks
• Medicine, such as computer-assisted surgery, prosthetics, and medical imaging
• Art, such as digital art and virtual reality
• Transportation, such as mapping and location detection (GPS) and automated trains
• Defense, such as surveillance and military training
• Environment, such as environmental monitoring and meteorology
• Archaeology, such as digitization and 3-Dimensional restoration of archaeological objects

Is Computer Science for you?

Are you creative? Do you embrace challenges? Do you want to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want a high-paying job? If your answer is "yes" to any of the questions above, you should definitely consider computer science as your major. The Association for Computing Machinery has produced several excellent brochures to help you in making an informed decision.

• Computing Degrees & Careers: Today's High-Tech Growth Is Tomorrow's High-Tech Boom!

"The need for computing professionals and executives right here in the U.S. is growing as companies become more global. Almost every major challenge facing our world is turning to computing for a solution, from conquering disease to eliminating hunger, from improving education to protecting the environment."

• Top 10 Reasons to Major in Computing

1. Computing is part of everything we do!
2. Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems.
3. Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world.
4. Computing offers many types of lucrative careers.
5. Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are located.
6. Expertise in computing helps you even if your primary career choice is something else.
7. Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness.
8. Computing has space for both collaborative work and individual effort.
9. Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic preparation.
10. Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries.

• Frequently Asked Questions

1. Didn't the opportunities in the field disappear when the dot-com bubble collapsed in 2000?
2. Aren't all high-tech jobs moving to India and China?
3. Won't salaries for computing professionals fall as companies turn to cheaper labor overseas?
4. Aren't computing jobs solitary and boring?

How is the job market in Computer Science?

Are all the high-tech jobs outsourced to India and China? The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) certainly tell a very different story. According to BLS projections in 2006, U. S. jobs in computer and mathematical science related field are expected to grow by about 24 percent over the next decade.