Computer Science: Top Reasons to Love?

Here are the top reasons to love computer science:

Most people who love computer science appreciate the nuts and bolts of how it all works.

They enjoy solving problems and thinking in logical terms to work directly with computers.

Many also appreciate the cutting-edge aspects of the science and how their studies advance the wider world around them.

So if you want to learn the top reasons why people love computer science, then this article is for you.

Let’s jump right in!

Computer Science: Top Reasons to Love? (10 Reasons)

What Goes Into Computer Science?

Before we get into the specific reasons you might love computer science, let’s talk a little bit about what is involved with computer science.

A lot of people think that computer science is a term for coding, and that’s not quite right.

Absolutely, computer scientists learn about coding.

It’s an essential skill in the field, but it’s just one of many skills.

A more accurate description of computer science focuses on that second word, “science.”

It’s the study of computer systems and how they work.

Computer scientists might write software.

They might design human-computer interface systems.

They might work on cognitive reasoning to figure out how thinking itself works.

It’s a vast field with a lot of specific opportunities.

So, if we’re trying to generalize, computer science is the study of the development and application of computer systems.

Needless to say, that can involve a lot more than just writing lines of code.

Why Might You Love Computer Science? (10 Reasons)

With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

Why do people love computer science?

I came up with 10 compelling reasons.

You might relate to some of them.

You might not.

But, if you’re seriously thinking about studying computer science (much less pursuing a career in the field), then these are worth contemplating.

#1 Gratification

Computer science is all about solving problems.

Those problems range from figuring out why a section of code won’t work to identifying how the human mind works.

You’ll find problems of every range in between.

As a computer scientist, you will constantly solve problems of varying degrees of difficulty and complexity.

If you’re like most people, then it feels good to solve these problems.

Getting code to work or successfully carrying out a new experiment provides a strong sense of satisfaction and gratification.

This is, arguably, the leading reason why people enjoy computer science.

#2 It’s Interesting

If gratification isn’t your leading appeal, then this is probably it.

Computer science is infinitely interesting.

It’s on the leading edge of virtually every field of science, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

If learning about new technologies or ideas interests or fascinates you, then a career in computer science is appealing to that part of your nature.

But, you won’t just be learning about these new things. You’ll be developing them yourself.

Granted, not all computer scientists are reinventing the field on a daily basis, but if cutting-edge ideas are your draw, you have that opportunity with computer science.

It really is changing the world around us, and you can be a part of that.

#3 You Never Stop Growing

Some jobs or fields of study can feel stale after a while.

With computer science, that isn’t usually the case.

There is an endless opportunity to keep learning, growing, and expanding in the field.

Even if you stay in the same specialty for your entire career, you’ll constantly figure out and learn about new ways to approach old problems.

Plus, you’ll always be presented with new problems to solve.

To be fair, some aspects of computer science can grow stale over time, but this is a field where you will have nearly endless chances to switch to a new project and inject revitalizing elements into your career.

If ever things feel old, you can change your situation, all without abandoning computer science.

#4 It’s Stable

Computer science, as a field of study and career option, is here to stay.

Our investment in and reliance on computer systems is growing by the day, not shrinking.

Because of this, demand for computer scientists is projected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

On top of that, there are a lot of computer science job positions that are super stable.

If career stability and reliability really matter to you, this is a great field.

I’ll take a minute to talk about the exception.

You can get into startup projects that have no job security whatsoever if you want to.

The point is that stability is a viable option when you go the route of computer science.

It’s really up to you, and that’s just another great thing about it.

#5 You Set the Pacing

There are two things to think about before you get into computer science.

First, how will you learn about and master the topic?

Second, what will you do with it?

When it comes to learning computer science, there are endless opportunities that involve a lot of self-pacing.

You can go for a traditional degree, and then a lot of the pace of learning is decided for you.

But, you can go the self-learning route (or supplement a degree program with self-learning), and then everything is at your own discretion.

This is especially potent if you’re adding computer science to your list of skills.

If you already have a profession and want to learn about computer science as a way to expand your horizons, then self-learning and self-pacing are yours for the taking.

As for the second half, what are you going to do as a computer scientist?

There are a lot of 9-5 computer science jobs.

That’s not really what I’m talking about.

But, as a computer scientist, you will often be responsible for setting the pace of your work.

Whoever signs your checks will give you a project and a deadline, and the rest is often up to you.

That offers a lot of freedom that you don’t find in too many fields, and if it appeals to you, then computer science might just be a perfect fit.

#6 Certainty

When talking to computer scientists about their passions, this is something I hear a lot.

People in the field often like it because it is built on root principles of logic.

There are clear right and wrong answers in computer science (I’ll talk about exceptions to this in a bit).

You can build your understanding of science on logic, reasoning, trial and error, and other direct thinking mechanisms.

If the code compiles, then it’s right.

If it doesn’t compile, it’s wrong.

This is a simplification of course, but it highlights a core principle of computer science, and it’s one that a lot of people in the field love.

You can count on computer science to be consistent, and people’s opinions of it don’t really matter.

The subjective elements are minimized.

So, if you like knowing for sure where you stand and whether or not you’re doing a good job, you can just ask the computer.

If it’s even capable of giving you an answer, then that’s a good sign.

#7 Creativity

Even though I just told you that computer science is all about logic, there are actually powerful creative elements to the work.

The computer is logical, and so any instructions you give to the computer have to follow concrete, reliable logic.

But, figuring out how to break non-logical ideas into steps that a computer can follow is an incredibly creative process.

Think about facial recognition software as an example.

You intuitively know how to recognize human faces.

It’s easy, and no one had to teach you how to do it.

But, can you describe facial recognition in a series of logical steps?

That’s not easy, and to even begin, you have to find new ways to understand what a human face is and how to describe it.

That’s just one example, but when working in computer science, you’ll often find that there are many, many different ways to get to the same end result.

That freedom in design allows for both creativity and expression, and experts in the field can identify each others’ algorithms much the same way artists can identify a painter by the brush strokes.

#8 Self-Sufficiency

Computers run the world.

They’re everywhere, we use them all the time, and many of us (myself included) are nigh helpless without them.

Despite that, they might as well be magical boxes for most people.

You’re asking yourself about computer science today.

Do you know how computers work?

Do you have a strong knowledge of how these words are even appearing on your screen right now?

As a computer scientist, you will develop a deep understanding of how computers work on multiple levels.

With that understanding, you will be able to use computers better.

You can make more informed decisions about how you use your own computers.

You’ll gain skills that allow you to fix or expand your own computer’s ability to do things for you.

Most of all, you’ll see the world with a deeper understanding, and in too many ways to describe, that can be incredibly empowering.

#9 Prestige

Considering the place that computers hold in our world and the empowerment that comes from understanding computer science, it might not be surprising to realize that computer scientists enjoy a certain amount of prestige.

Some of the most famous people in the world (like say, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk) are computer scientists (although they may have done other things).

Despite how you feel about them personally, they enjoy levels of prestige that match the most famous entertainers and politicians in the world.

On a smaller scale, we all constantly hear about how everyone needs to learn to code.

Computer science is a well-respected discipline, and when you tell people that you are a computer scientist, they’ll take note.

Prestige alone might not be a good reason to be a computer scientist, but it’s another gratifying perk of the job.

#10 Money

I saved this for last.

Everyone tells you not to do something just for the money, and they’re probably right.

But, if any or all of the reasons listed above appeal to you, then the opportunity to make money is a major bonus.

On average, computer scientists make good money.

While there are no guarantees, it’s not unheard of at all to get up into the six-figure range as a computer scientist.

If you want more evidence that there’s money in computer science, three of the five wealthiest people in the world made their fortune through computer science.

In fact, 7 of the top 10 wealthiest people all made their way into computer science.

Author

Theresa McDonough

Tech entrepreneur and founder of Tech Medic, who has become a prominent advocate for the Right to Repair movement. She has testified before the US Federal Trade Commission and been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, helping influence change within the tech industry.

View all posts