Computer science is an ever-evolving, ever-changing field. The coding programs that were the go-to in the past are becoming obsolete. Today there are multiple languages and, while not every coder and programmer needs to know how to use them all, it is important that you have a few basics down perfectly and always work towards mastering the next. Technology moves fast, and programmers need to move faster. Not only do you need to be there throughout development, but you also need to be there to fix bugs and provide patches, and ensure that everything works with every new addition and change added.
Computer science is a great field for those who love to work with technology and who like getting into the belly of the beast, so to speak. You can go in from a computer science and coding background or from any STEM field and still benefit from learning and improving your coding skills. In fact, many career paths today almost demand their experts have multiple disciplines under their belt in order to do their job.
While this means more training and education than other fields, it also puts you at the forefront of human innovation. Getting that additional training can be difficult, but with an online degree and this guide, you’ll know how to find the right CS masters and also how to easily incorporate it into your routine so that you can get as much as you can out of it.
Why Choose a Masters in Computer Science
A master’s in computer science is not something that many employers demand. Only a few roles will require it as a prerequisite. Therefore, it is something that you use to stand out and help you get higher level positions sooner rather than later. Just because you have a master’s degree does not mean that you can forgo the hard work, however. You will still want to build up your reputation and improve your work experience.
On top of using your master’s to specialize and stand out, know that it is also useful for those in other STEM fields. If you are a mechanical engineer, for example, that wants to move into robotics, then a master’s in computer science can be just the ticket to do so. With a combined background in both engineering and in computer science, you can get started working on autonomous robotic design and help build the first generation of driverless vehicles.
How to Choose the Right CS MSc
A Master in Computer Science will allow you to further your technical skill and application. More than that, however, it will prepare you for higher level specialist and leadership roles. As this is a very technical and career-driven master’s you will want to find one that is entirely online. You want to be able to complete it alongside your career, ideally, or alternatively be able to complete it quickly so that you can get back into the job pool.
Staying up to date with your skills is the bare minimum for computer specialists and program developers. Regardless of what area of programming you work your way into, you need to be at the forefront of your field.
You have two main options when it comes to advancing your skills as well. The first is to specialize, the second is to broaden your approach. A master’s can help you broaden your approach and help you stand out in the job market. It will improve your ability to use top languages like Python, Java, SQL, C/C++, Hadoop, Spark, Kali Linux, and so much more. It would be best if you also improved your ability to work with machine learning, Big Data, software development, security, penetration testing, app and software development, and so on.
In short, a master’s is ideal when you want to put another level to the foundational knowledge you draw from. Your specialist knowledge will come from work experience and ongoing training that you will need to adopt every day from the moment you graduate.
To choose the right one, you will want to ensure that it covers the topics you want to include, is entirely online, and can be adjusted to suit your schedule. If you are ever in doubt, always check with the enrollment officer to ensure that the degree aligns with your career and academic goals. As these fully online degrees are relatively new in many sectors, know that there may only be a few options currently available to you, so parse through the curriculum carefully to ensure it offers what you personally want out of your degree.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Computer Science MSc
To get the most out of your MSc, you will want to:
1. Use All Available Resources
Explore what resources and tools are available to you both as a student and as an alumni at your chosen university. At a minimum, use the careers service, your personal tutor or academic advisor, and of course, the online library access. Many universities offer continued access to those journals for a few years or for life, depending on the program and its benefits.
To get the most out of your degree, you need to know what is included and then use those to the most of their ability so that you get the best value for your degree.
2. Put What You Learn to Practical Use
Learning by doing is the go-to motto in computer science and programming. If you can’t use what you learn during your master’s in your day-to-day job, then start a project of your own that will. This is how you solidify what you learn and create a working example of your new or expanded skillset for future employers. Programmers need to showcase their skills, after all, so find a way to do it and improve your ability to learn all at once. This is how you succeed in your degree and ensure your degree helps boost your career from day one.