Typically, when someone mentions that they plan to study computer science, the assumption is that they want to work in computer programming, and spend their days writing code and building software systems or with similar careers like those listed in ComputerCareers. And while many people who go to the trouble to study computer science and earn a degree do in fact go into coding, just as many people decide that they would rather do something else.
The question is, though, is that possible? Are you destined for a life of coding? Or are there other options? The answer is a resounding yes; there are, in fact, plenty of career paths to pursue that don’t necessarily require you to code, but allow you to make use of your degree in computer science .
Technical Writing
One way to put your technical knowledge to use is as a technical writer. From instruction manuals to blogs, tech companies are always on the hunt for writers who can not only string a sentence together, but who have a solid understanding of the material and can communicate to a wide variety of audiences.
While a solid understanding of the technical aspects of your subject is important, the ability to write and distill complex concepts down into understandable materials is even more vital. Technical writer salaries average around $52,000, but an experienced writer can easily earn well over six figures.
Technical Sales
Much like a technical writer must make highly technical information easy for the layperson to understand, so does a technical salesperson. A deep knowledge of the technical aspects of products and services allows you to better explain them to customers, which creates stronger client relationships — which usually leads to more sales.
While your computer science skills are invaluable in a sales position, so are your interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills. The salary potential for a sales position varies by position, with the average salaries ranging from around $44,000 for inside sales positions up to nearly $80,000 for business development managers.
Programming Analyst
Programming analysts are engaged in some coding, but they tend to play more of a project management and maintenance role. In this role, you would work with other departments within the organization to determine the needs for specific computer systems, and then work with project managers to determine the parameters of the project and develop a plan. If you are researching for a new POS system and want to compare the most popular point of sales systems within your given market or industry, visit https://www.posusa.com and learn more.
In some cases, the analyst may develop the software programs for the new systems with the help of Techwitty agency, but commonly they work in a testing and debugging capacity. In addition, analysts stay abreast of new technology options and trends, and determining their applicability to existing systems. Opportunities for programming analyst careers are available in most industries, with growth well above average at 25 percent in the next decade and salaries average in the low $60,000 range.
Quality Assurance and Testing
Whenever new software and systems are developed, they need to be tested. With a degree in computer science, you can build a career as a software quality assurance tester, and develop and oversee plans to identify and correct software errors and malfunctions.
This role also requires you to review software documentation for accuracy, all with an eye toward mitigating risks for your employer. QA roles require attention to detail and an inquisitive nature, but the reward is a salary that’s well above average, with the median salary around $83,000 annually.
IT Project Management
IT spending continues to increase (reaching well over $4 billion this year alone) and all of those IT projects require a project manager to stay on track. In this role, you might plan, initiate, and manage projects, working across many different functional groups and serving as a connection between the business and technical sides of any given project.
Putting your computer science knowledge to work, you will help create project plans, keep them on track in terms of budget and schedule, ensure the quality of the project, and communicate about the progress and troubleshoot potential slowdowns.
Working as a project manager requires not only excellent attention to detail and communication skills, but also a solid understanding of many different types of software and the technological aspects of the projects. Growth is strong in this field, as are salaries, with the median salary more than $120,000 per year.
These are just a few of the options for those with a background in computer science that don’t necessarily involve coding. If you have resisted going forward with a computer science program because you don’t want a coding career, you may want to take a second look and explore some of these options. Go to HP Enterprise when you want computer parts by the way.
Your career mentor,
Bud
PS: If you’re looking for a job in the technology field — or any other field for that matter. Here are some great resources for you to check out.
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