What the Top Schools for Computer Science Have in Common
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Careers in computer science are some of the fastest growing and highest paying in the country, with computer science degrees in-demand across nearly all industries.
Whether you want to use the many groundbreaking computer science tools in a field you’re passionate about, or want to help create the framework that makes those tools possible, computer science training is essential.
What you can do with a degree in computer science is as limitless as your imagination, but the first step for many is majoring in a computer science undergraduate program.
But it’s important to know what to look for, as the best colleges for computer science not only give you the training you need, but also help kickstart your career as well.
So what should you look for in a computer science program to make sure you find one that can help you land a job in computer science soon after graduation?
Let us show you what the top schools for computer science have in common, and how you can put your skills to work and start making an impact as soon as possible.
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An Emphasis on Interdisciplinary Coursework
It would be difficult to find an industry that isn’t investing heavily in computer science to help further its goals.
For this reason, aspiring computer scientists and programmers can easily turn their passions into a career with a high salary and opportunities for advancement.
To help put your computer science skills to use in the fields that matter most to you, Pacific has designed its undergraduate curriculum to include space to explore beyond your degree pathway.
This means that computer science graduates can easily find work in:
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Healthcare. Whether improving the patient experience, expanding the scope of accessible treatment or even detecting disease, computer science has a growing role in the healthcare space.
Already interdisciplinary in its focus, Pacific’s College of Health Professions routinely explores advancements in healthcare using new technology, pulling from programs across the university.
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Natural sciences. In physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science, computer science is playing a larger and larger role.
Using the newest data science, advancements in natural science are enabled by new tools developed by computer scientists, including novel research using AI.
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Engineering. Essential in the creation of crucial engineering tools, computer science has a place in everything from consumer electronics to self-driving cars.
Computer scientists have played enormous roles in the creation of new engineering technologies such as 3D printing and the infrastructure of the modern internet.
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Business. Computer scientists are at the forefront of trends in economics and finance, creating tools that help monitor and forecast economic trends.
Agile businesses are those that can use computer science to their advantage, making computer scientists integral to the current business landscape.
Regardless of what you want to do or where your passions lie, the careers you can pursue with a degree in computer science are growing more every day.
Opportunities for Hands-On Training
Employers hiring recent computer science graduates look not just for technical skill, but also for tangible examples of real-world training.
Whether this means designing your own websites, developing web apps, or volunteering at organizations that match your passions, demonstrated experience during your undergrad can result in more job offers.
This is why the top schools for computer science equip students with tools and settings so they can put what they learn in the classroom into practice.
Opportunities for this kind of hands-on training often come directly from on-campus resources and can result in the chance to present research and get noticed by employers in your area.
Accessible computer science labs, makerspaces and research institutes can all help you realize your vision and perform research with the opportunity to make an impact in the field of computer science.
As a research university, Pacific also aims to help place students in environments before graduation where their training can be put to good use.
Job opportunities in computer science open up considerably for resumes that contain tangible training, something the best computer science programs are aware of.
Accessible Industries in the Area
As computer science continues to grow in popularity and job demand, students are becoming more interested in attending schools that are near opportunities for internship and employment in fields that interest them.
Starting a career after getting your computer science degree is easier in areas with a heavy emphasis on tech.
Pacific’s unique placement in the Pacific Northwest — a longtime hub of innovative companies and organizations — gives you a special advantage, with available internship opportunities at these places.
The Silicon Forest — a string of tech companies in the Portland metro area that include Intel, Wacom, Microsoft, Amazon, Autodesk and more — all actively recruit computer science majors from local universities, including Pacific.
The close proximity of these industries helps you get a foot in the door for careers in computer science, especially with the help of job fairs and an on-campus presence.
A Chance to Specialize
Within computer science there are many specializations, each of which emphasizes a different aspect of what it means to use programming to make an impact.
Cybersecurity, machine learning and the ways we interact with technology are all specializations in-demand by employers, and subject area concentrations that are offered at top schools for computer science.
Pair these kinds of specializations with a robust curriculum and opportunities for independent research and you can graduate prepared to thrive in fields that match your passions.
Specialization can also lead you towards dual degree paths in related disciplines like math and physics, each of which complement the skills learned in a computer science degree program.
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