Tag Archives: Careers

Comp Sci Job Demand

It seems like I run across an article like this at least once a week.  Most of the articles are strictly about the demand for Computer Science graduates, but the demand for Cybersecurity professionals is just as high.  I spoke with a former student last week that has a Masters in a Cybersecurity related field and his career is going quite well.

I also had the pleasure last week of having lunch with 3 of my former students all of which are now in the Turing Honors Computer Science program at the University of Texas at Austin.  These students are all freshmen and have all received numerous internship offers for the summer.  The internship offers were all from highly respected companies with nice compensation packages.  Almost all of their classmates had multiple summer interships offers as well and all of their friends that recently graduated had a large number of job offers from which to choose.   It sounds like the UT Austin Computer Science program has it going on!

A friend just sent this video link which follows along the same lines as the rest of my post.

Lastly, if you are still searching for a Computer Science workshop for the summer, check of my workshop list.   My workshops are a blast – we covers lots of material and have a ton of fun doing it.  Cheers!

Comp Sci Skeelz

CS For All

I have posted about how everybody needs Comp Sci skeelz numerous times, but here is another link to another article discussing the same idea.

Learning how to solve a problem computationally is a really cool process and that experience will help students in many different ways.   How could it hurt?   Many of my students will get jobs or start companies that rely on computing power to conduct their everyday business.  Knowing a bit more about how these systems work and how they were built is a good thing.   Having the knowledge to build your own system or tell someone else how to build what you want is very useful.

Teaching students basic content early seems to me to be the best way to get kids hooked and interested so that they will continue on and gain the skeelz they will use and need for life.  Elementary school is the place to start and there are many tools you could use to get the ball rolling.  Scratch is one that works great!

UT Austin CS – First Bytes Summer Camp for Girls

The University of Texas at Austin Computer Science Department is again holding a Computer Science camp for girls this summer.
The First Bytes Summer Camp for Girls will accept applications through the 23rd of March.
Many of my students have attended past instances of this camp and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Almost all of my students that attended the camp in the past have gone on to either minor or major in Computer Science.
Check it out!

Start’em Early

Computer Science skills can be learned at any age.  I have been going to my sons’ elementary school for the last 3 years at least twice a year, teaching their classes how to create games, animations, and stories.  I have taught them how to use variables, loops, ifs, and lists using Scratch.  All of the boys and girls in each class love it when I come out and they use the skills to create projects throughout the year.  These students all think CS is cool and will have no problem taking Computer Science classes in the future as they are comfortable with the concepts and idea of writing programs.  I hope that I have successfully planted the seeds for a whole crop of future Computer Scientists.

This article discusses the same idea of starting students in Computer Science early and makes some of the same points.

NSA Recruiting

I like to talk to my students in Computer Science about career options and what and where they can do things later on life.
I had all of my classes take a look at the NSA recruiting page to see where NSA had needs.
http://www.nsa.gov/careers/
They were very impressed that Computer Science and Computer Engineering were in high demand.
Several of my students have Cyber Security career ambitions so this is very good information for them to have.

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

Deadline to Apply is February 20, 2012

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.  Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal.  Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
  • Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
  • Strong record of academic achievement
  • A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
  • Demonstrates financial need

For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.

UK Wants More Kids Cranking Code

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15923113

This article discusses the view in the UK that students should be “cranking more code” and learning more about Computer Science.  This is currently not the case and there are ongoing discussions about how to beef up the CS educational component.

“The teaching of computer science must become more relevant to modern needs, said the government.”
This quote is great and sends a clear message that change must occur.

Algorithm Speeds Up MRI

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/better-mri-algorithm-1101.html

This is kind of stuff that students need to read and learn about if they are at all interested in Computer Science.
How does Comp Sci make the world a better place?
How can learning Comp Sci skills change the world?
These are important questions and this article helps shed light on the answers.
The article also provides lots of context for how Comp Sci skills are used in the real world.