The right degree offers you many career opportunities and allows you to accomplish your life goals. Of course, your degree may also have nothing to do with the profession you choose in the future. However, if some career path looks interesting to you, having a degree will certainly be an advantage when looking for a job. Many students cannot figure out whether they should choose computer science or IT, and this guide from Writers-House.com will help you make the right decision.
Choosing a degree program that can help you achieve your career goals is a difficult task, especially if you have to choose between similar options, such as computer science and IT. What is the difference between information technology and computer science degree? What career opportunities each one of these fields has to offer? Although these two areas have a lot in common, there are some important differences that you should consider.
The Difference Between Computer Science and IT
Computer science specialists study the design of computer systems and computation. This discipline has a lot to do with mathematics and many other topics, both theoretical and practical. For example, you will have to study the implementation of computing systems in software and hardware, as well as the limits of computation. There are three major categories in the computer science field. These are designing and implementing software, developing effective methods of solving computing problems, and discovering new ways to use computers.
People who study information technology focus more on the practical aspects of computing. Their work helps various organizations, including healthcare, government, business, and schools. Every modern organization has its IT department that works with hardware and software products to help the company solve specific problems.
Which Career Path You Should Choose
A degree in a certain field cannot guarantee that you will find a job in this field. However, it will be a considerable advantage when looking for a job after graduation. People who have completed a degree often have more career options available for them. Both the computer science and information technology fields are constantly developing because people discover new ways to use data and computation. The popularity of cloud computing and artificial intelligence created a variety of new jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 24% more jobs for software developers in 2026. Besides, the number of jobs for systems analysts is also expected to grow by 9%.
What Courses You Should Take
Your specialization may have a certain impact on your upper-level classes. However, the main courses for a degree in IT may include:
- Introduction to operating systems;
- Introduction to databases;
- Introduction to computer and network hardware;
- Introduction to web systems and media;
- Fundamentals of programming and logic;
- Human-computer interface and interactions;
- Information technology security;
- Network infrastructure basics.
If you choose computer science, your core courses will look as follows:
- Database design;
- Artificial intelligence;
- Programming languages;
- Computer networking;
- Software engineering.
Career Opportunities
There are many computer science and IT jobs in different industries, including education, manufacturing, technical services, transportation, etc. Healthcare organizations and other companies with strict privacy policies also always need specialists in IT and computer science.
Your experience in a computer science degree program and coursework may help you prepare for various IT-related jobs and vice versa. However, graduates with degrees in information technology are usually hired for the following positions:
- Software Developer;
- Computer Network Architect;
- Systems Analyst.
Graduates with a degree in computer science may choose the following jobs:
- Database Administrator;
- Computer Programmer;
- Web Developer.
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