Computers and artificial intelligence are the way of the future. As seen in the majority of classrooms, living rooms and regular grocery stores, computers and technology are ubiquitous and necessary for society to function. That’s why computer science is the best field of study to enter right now.

As every year comes to a close, we see more and more technology being invented and used. This clearly shows that humans are becoming more dependent on it, so this trend will most likely continue in the future. 

As Tech Evaluate states, “Technology is building on itself and, in many ways, accelerating exponentially. Since 1965 the approximate number of transistors on a computer chip has doubled about every year and a half. In an electronic sense, technology doubles approximately every 18-24 months.”

In the next few decades, humans will become increasingly dependent on technology and AI. If more people don’t go into the field of computer science, the production of technology would decrease.

According to National University, “The computer and information technology field is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2016-2026 — faster than the average growth rate of all occupations. By 2026, another 557,100 jobs are expected to be added within the field.” 

One of the best aspects about working in this field is that the possibilities are limitless. You could be the next big software developer with just a few years of experience and a college degree. It could be as simple as creating a mobile application one day, and it being the most popular app the next.

Computer science jobs are extremely high in demand, especially for women, but it also pays extremely well.

HER magazine writes, “Annual wages can start at $85,000 and climb well over $100,000. A new study by Accenture and Girls Who Code – a national non-profit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology – reveals that by 2025, the number of jobs created in this sector will be three times the national average.”

With technology growing at an exponential rate every year, a high demand for jobs, and a high salary, what’s stopping people from majoring in computer science? Well a lot of things.

On the surface, working in software seems like a walk in the park. Go to college, get a degree, next thing you know you’re working at Google. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for most. 

To begin, computer science takes practice, discipline and major problem solving skills. On top of that, many years of  math, linear algebra and programming basics must be handy. To add to the obstacles, the entirety of computer science relies on coding languages such as Python, Javascript, C++ and others, which — like any other new language — must be learned and practiced. 

According to U.S News, “Computer science majors must study calculus to earn their degrees, and other relevant math courses include statistics and linear algebra. Introductory computer science classes cover topics like algorithm design, computer organization and abstract data types. After students develop a strong foundation in the major, they can move on to more complicated courses related to data visualization, neural networks and cryptography, among other subjects.”

So, to secure a future job as a computer scientist/programmer, you need to be a math wizard, a programming genius and know all coding languages. 

Just kidding …

Computer science might seem intimidating on the surface but like everything, it takes hard work and discipline. Everybody can major in computer science if they really want to. It’s about the mindset and the passion. 

“I’ve always loved puzzles and problem-solving, and computer science essentially uses programming as a tool to solve problems. I’m hoping to explore engineering and computer science more in college, and it’s interdisciplinary applications,” senior Anusha Rao said.

If you really want to, what’s stopping you?