Why you should do computer science
It's that time of year when many young people are considering what to do when they leave school and enter university. I want to take this opportunity to strongly urge anyone with an interest in technology to really consider computer science. Unfortunately, there has been a shortfall in the number of graduates coming out of computer science in recent years, and a perception that the dot com era and outsourcing make this an outmoded option. This is unfortunate and also very wrong. Check the 2007 economist yearbook to see where eCommerce is headed in the coming years, in the words of the old Yazz tune "the only way is up".
Let's leave the growing IT markets to the Economist, and just say you do have a keen interest in tech, maybe curious about your iPod or how Bebo works, you are handy at mathematics and interested in science. It boils down to your point of view - do you see yourself as the source of creativity and invention, or the source of service support? Where would you rather be? Doing computer science, even if you never actually program in your professional career, will give you a huge headstart in getting into the former, infinitely more interesting camp. You will get a grounding in how software is developed, what is involved, and set yourself up for a good career in development, project management, or maybe start your own company.
I think that outsourcing has been a good thing for the IT industry, because it has provided extra resources, in the form of people power. Huge opportunities are afforded by having these resources available - your idea for a social networking site based on musical and entertainment figures, that will require a high quality hosted services environment ? Suddenly got a lot more feasible with the availability of 100s of programmers and a range of hosted service companies to choose from.
I believe that instead of killing off software development, the direct opposite has happened as a result of out-sourcing. The pace of software development and the scope for creativity and innovation got a huge boost, leading to an acceleration in the development and delivery of sophisticated software. In the developed world, we are in pole position to drive the direction of software. Do you want to get in on the act?
It's that time of year when many young people are considering what to do when they leave school and enter university. I want to take this opportunity to strongly urge anyone with an interest in technology to really consider computer science. Unfortunately, there has been a shortfall in the number of graduates coming out of computer science in recent years, and a perception that the dot com era and outsourcing make this an outmoded option. This is unfortunate and also very wrong. Check the 2007 economist yearbook to see where eCommerce is headed in the coming years, in the words of the old Yazz tune "the only way is up".
Let's leave the growing IT markets to the Economist, and just say you do have a keen interest in tech, maybe curious about your iPod or how Bebo works, you are handy at mathematics and interested in science. It boils down to your point of view - do you see yourself as the source of creativity and invention, or the source of service support? Where would you rather be? Doing computer science, even if you never actually program in your professional career, will give you a huge headstart in getting into the former, infinitely more interesting camp. You will get a grounding in how software is developed, what is involved, and set yourself up for a good career in development, project management, or maybe start your own company.
I think that outsourcing has been a good thing for the IT industry, because it has provided extra resources, in the form of people power. Huge opportunities are afforded by having these resources available - your idea for a social networking site based on musical and entertainment figures, that will require a high quality hosted services environment ? Suddenly got a lot more feasible with the availability of 100s of programmers and a range of hosted service companies to choose from.
I believe that instead of killing off software development, the direct opposite has happened as a result of out-sourcing. The pace of software development and the scope for creativity and innovation got a huge boost, leading to an acceleration in the development and delivery of sophisticated software. In the developed world, we are in pole position to drive the direction of software. Do you want to get in on the act?
Labels: college, computer science, outsourcing
posted by Colm McHugh at 11:43 AM
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