IT Education

ITCareerFinder breaks down the pros and cons of majoring in computer science.

In our increasingly tech-driven world, computer science has emerged as a popular and promising undergraduate major. Aspiring CS professionals are drawn to the field for its exciting career opportunities, competitive salaries and broad applicability across industries. However, the pursuit of a computer science degree is not without challenges. From rigorous coursework to the fast-paced nature of the industry, there are several factors to consider before embarking on this academic journey. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of studying computer science, providing a comprehensive analysis to help prospective students make an informed decision about their education.

As the economy diversifies, so do the choices you face when you're preparing to enter the workforce. A four-year degree is no longer a must for many lucrative positions, nor is it an automatic ticket to career success. And with the cost of a traditional college education continuing to rise, student loans are becoming more of a burden, as well.

In short, it pays to look around at the growing number of alternatives that can jump-start you on a career path. Specialized professions in the culinary arts, sewing, carpentry, and money management (everything from credit to budgeting to investing) offer a wealth of opportunities through affordable certificate programs and apprenticeships.

But nowhere are the opportunities greater than in the IT field, which is good news because you can pursue training and certification in much of this space online. This has become even more crucial during the pandemic, as distance learning has become the norm in many places.

And if you're trying to save money (and who isn't?), here's some good news: There are numerous free online courses to explore, and plenty of places to get started.

Follow these steps to gain real-world expertise without a college degree:

Kaplan University believes you have the right to make an informed decision about your education. To back up this belief, Kaplan introduced The Kaplan Commitment. The Kaplan Commitment program lets prospective online or campus students attend the first 5 weeks of a degree program at no cost while they decide whether or not to stay and pursue their studies. After five weeks, students can either continue in class, or withdraw without any financial obligation beyond the $45 application fee.

Read on for Kaplan Commitment rules, degree programs and more:

Android devices account for about 50% of the global smart phone market, making it the world's most popular mobile platform. When Android was introduced in 2007 it was a distant 5th in mobile platforms - trailing Apple's iOS, Blackberry (RIM), Windows Mobile and Symbian. With millions of Android devices in use, and an incredible 500,000+ new Android devices activated daily, the popularity of Android applications is increasing exponentially - and with it the demand for Android application developers is soaring. IT recruiters are reporting unprecedented demand for talented programmers with Android development training.

Featured Mobile Development Programs

These top-rated online training programs in mobile app development are currently enrolling students.

Request info for program details, requirements, start dates, tuition & financial aid options.

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B.S. in Computer Science: Software Engineering

Southern New Hampshire University

• Cross-Platform App Development
• Cybersecurity & Secure Coding
• UI/UX Design and Development
• Software Reverse Engineering

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The iOS mobile platform exploded onto the scene in 2007 with the launch of the iPhone, and has been increasing in popularity ever since. With the recent successful releases of its fifth operating system (iOS5), the iPhone 4S and the New iPad, the beast that is Apple's mobile device market shows zero signs of slowing. The success found by many iPhone application developers plus the increasing popularity and versatility of iOS devices have inspired many new and established programmers to pursue careers in iPad and iPhone application development.

A technical staffing advisor with 20+ years of experience lays out the path for military veterans to successfully transition to a career in information technology.

If you’re nearing the end of active service and looking for a fast growing, high paying career with a bright future, you may want to consider a job in IT. Given that many of the skills and qualities you developed in the military apply to roles in information technology, a career in IT could be your best move.

Why IT? Let’s start with demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employers to add about 668,000 computer and information technology jobs by 2030 to reach a total of 5.7 million jobs. In fact, businesses would like to hire more tech workers but they can’t find qualified candidates — especially developers, engineers and cybersecurity pros. Even so, U.S. IT job growth is still in record territory with no signs of slowing down.

Then, there’s the money. The median salary for Computer and Information Technology Occupations is $86,320 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than double the $41,950 median wage for all jobs nationwide. What’s more, the military or a prospective employer may even pay for IT training and certifications that will further enhance your skill set and market value.

There’s also a huge range of entry-to-mid level jobs that are appropriate for veterans who are just starting their civilian careers. Ready to get started? Here’s how veterans can navigate the transition into employment in the IT job market.

Education vs. Experience: Many people find that their career reaches a plateau and that employers place greater value on workers with a higher level of education or a degree more relevant to the modern workplace. Anyone that has ever been passed over for promotion only to find a college graduate in the post will know how frustrating this can be. An online degree offers the perfect solution.

While most web developers share the same goal of bug-free, functional, usable web sites, there are several programming languages developers can use to reach that goal. Let’s compare the major programming language choices available to the modern web developer.