Career Plan
Computer science as a career involves students, as the would-be computer science professionals studying and applying scientific and practical approaches to computation. In this regard, a computer science student has to involve in systematic studies of structures, expressions and algorithms that underlie acquiring, representing, processing, storing, communicating and accessing information. Specifically, a computer scientist has to specialize in studying and applying the theory of computation and designing computational systems. I project that studies in Computer Science with recommendable aptitude results and positive interests will enable me to get employed in the Computer Science Industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Computer Science Industry is projected to grow faster than any other industry for the next 10 years. By being intelligent and much talented in the Computer Science field, one can expect to pursue careers with high earnings and solid futures such as Information Security Analysts, Computer Systems Analyst, Software Developer, Web Developer and Computer and Information Research Scientist (Bureau of Labor Statistics n. pag).
As for me, I hope to get a job in globally recognized companies such as Amazon, Boeing or CSC. Amazon.com has become the world’s largest e-commerce company, requiring cloud-computing services to manage its extensive online product inventories. Although CSC is not a well known company, it is considered the largest provider of computer science services around the world. The Boeing Company is an American company that deals in designing, manufacturing and selling aircrafts, and there is no doubt that cutting edge softwares are needed there (Bureau of Labor Statistics n. pag).
As a scholar, I find IEEE Journals, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering and SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing among the top academic journals in the Computer Science Field, because they are authored by experts and they are more perfomative and current (Colorado State University n. pag). One can also participate in seminars and shows to learn more about trends in this industry. Some of the seminars and shows or conferences that one can attend can include those conducted by International Conference on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, IEEE and International Conference on Computer and Digital Manufacturing. All these initiatives conduct their conferences or seminars annually in the US. Nonetheless, there are several online seminars and shows offered by them that one can participate in (Global Conference Directory n. pag). Basically, for one to be well positioned for start up job in this industry, one needs to have at least a bachelor’s degree. One can still pursue higher education to get a PhD and an MBA to work in a more specialized field and take duties that involve critical managerial skills (Bureau of Labor Statistics n. pag).
Education Plan
I already have my Associate degree in Computer Science, and, therefore, I have covered the required 60 units. The 60 units are divided in key courses: Computer Programming, Computer Science, Data Applications Developer and Web Programmer. At the associate degree program level in the Computer Science course, one is required to cover 8 core units that include Introduction to Computer Systems, Assembly Language Programming, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, C Programming, Database Concepts and Applications, Calculus 1 and Calculus 2. One is, however, required to pick one group of courses that he can concentrate on. The groups include C++ Programming, Data Structures with C++, Java Programming and Data Structure with Java (Santa Monica College 1-4). Currently, I am planning to transfer and enroll for an undergraduate degree at either Oregon State University or the University of Washington. Having covered most programs required at Associate degree level, upon a successful transfer into bachelor’s program, I would be required to take more than eight additional courses. Some of these courses are similar to those taught at Associate degree level, but at advanced stages. They will include advanced courses in the Computer Science Major such as Advanced Programming, Calculus, Computer Architecture and Data Structures. I may take additional courses such as Machine Learning, Introduction to Algorithm, Algorithms and Computational Complexity and Computational Biology in the bachelor’s program. I am also considering taking optional courses such as Data Systems Internals and Advanced HCI to enrich the core courses (University of Washington n. pag).
Works Cited
Colorado State University. How to Evaluate Journal Articles, 2016. Web. 2016,
<http://lib.colostate.edu/howto/evaljrl2.html>
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer and Information Research Scientists. BLS.gov. 2016. Web.
2016, <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm#tab-4>
Global Conference Directory. Computers. All Conferences.com, 2016. Web. 2016,
<http://www.allconferences.com/Computers>
Santa Monica College. A Course Study for Computer Science. Santa Monica: Santa Monica
2016. Web. 2016, < https://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses>
