Why Computer Science (CS)?

CS is all around us. It's what makes our phones smart, what keeps the Internet connected and what lets us tell hundreds of Facebook friends that we're suddenly available. It is what separates users of technology from makers.

Two of the 15 fastest growing jobs are in CS. The US Department of Commerce forecasts that between 2008 and 2018 the number of Network Systems / Data Analyst jobs will more than double (53% growth), with the number of Software Engineers growing by 34%. These projections mean that nearly 3 out of 4 new science or engineering jobs in the US are going to be in computing.

CS jobs are interdisciplinary, helping you work with others to change the world. You can combine computing with medicine, education, art, gaming, communications, and business.

To top it off, starting salaries are around $60K.

(But don't just take our word for all this. See the Washington Post description of how fewer high school students are taking CS classes, while at the same time the New York Times describes computing hybrid careers are the jobs of the future. It's also fun to see the 2010 CareerCast.com lists of the best jobs and worst jobs. NACE reports in Fall 2010 that while liberal arts majors starting salaries average near $35K, Computer Science majors starting salaries average near $60K.)