Computing Science
One major, endless possibilities:
If you want to explore the science and the application of computing in every aspect of our modern life, then you can become a computer scientist. Study as a generalist or concentrate on such areas as software systems or multimedia, or take a joint major with other areas such as mathematics or philosophy.
For more information, visit the School of Computing Science website.
Skills You Will Develop
You will acquire specific knowledge and competencies during your program of study. While the skills and knowledge may be directly applicable to your major, your other skills – research, project management, team work, and problem solving – for example, are valuable skills that you can transfer to a wide range of careers depending on what you want to do and what is important to you.
Your skill set and knowledge is not limited to your course work or academic experiences. Remember to take into account the skills that you’ve gained outside the lecture hall or seminar room -- through your work experiences, volunteering, extra-curricular and leisure activities. There are hundreds of student clubs and leadership opportunities supported by SFSS and DIRECTIONS: Explorations in Action, Leadership and Change. Check out other Personal and Professional Development Programs.
What are the Career Possibilities?
Did you know, that only about two percent of adults claim to be working in the occupation they planned when they were eighteen years old (Krumboltz, Levin, 2004)? Your future career is going to be influenced by many factors – the economy, political events, technology and chance occurrences – some of which you have no control over. In addition to investigating some of the common careers associated with your major (see the list below) why not look beyond your major and open yourself up to other possibilities.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list and some of these careers require further education and/or training/designations or experience.
Career Options
- Application Designer
- Application Programmer
- Bioinformatician
- Chief Information Officer
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Network Specialist
- Computer or Information Managers
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Scientist
- Computer Technology Analyst
- Database Design Specialist
- Game Developer
- Human Computer Interaction Designer
- Interactive Media Developer
- Internet Consultant
- Network Security Analyst
- Product Manager
- Project Manager
- Quality Assurance Analyst
- Researcher
- Robotics Technologist
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Software/Hardware Technician
- Teacher/Professor
- Technical Sales Representative
- Technical Writer
- Technology Strategist
- User Support Technician
- Web Developer
- Website Designer
Potential Work Environments
You can advance your career in any work environment because you can build skills, gain experience and develop networks in a variety of settings, and locations. What if you are unable to land a position in your preferred career in your work place of choice? What else could you do and where could you add value to your potential career? You need not always aim for big corporations or government departments. Consider working in small to medium business and non-profit organizations. Your experience may help you get a clearer view of your preferred future, and along the way you are likely to acquire some interesting experience.
Work Environments
- Biomedical Firms
- Biotechnology and Energy Firms
- Chemical, Electronic, and Mechanical firms
- Communication
- Computer/Hi Tech Industries
- Consulting Agencies
- Data and Information Processing Industries
- Educational Institutions
- Financial/Banking Industry
- Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Government
- Non-profit and Non-governmental Organizations
- Public and Private Organizations
- Research Institutions
- Robotics and Electronic Processing of Information
- Transformation and Transportation Industries
Related Professional Associations and Sites of Interest
Professional associations are a valuable resource for occupational research, and work search. The professional associations cited here may also offer career information, job boards, networking opportunities, and volunteer opportunities. They are invaluable in your career exploration in that they allow you to access a myriad of resources and publications, and link you to other sites of interest. Take action, do some research on these associations, and consider joining a professional organization. You never know who you might meet or where the affiliation might lead.
Associations & Sites of Interest
- Canada’s Association for IT Professionals (IPS)
- Canadian Association of Computer Science (CACS)
- Canadian Society of Technical Analysts (CSTA)
- Association of Professional Computer Consultants (APCC)
- Information Technology Association of Canada
- Society for Technical Communication
- The Digital Media Association – (DiMA)
- Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)
- Women in Communication and Technology (WCT)
- Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology
- T-Net British Columbia
- Vancouver’s Technological Community
- Vancouver Enterprise Forum
- Talent Egg: Technology Career Guide
Career Development and Work Search Resources
At any given time, anywhere between 70-80 percent of work is not advertised. There is more to a job search than searching for work in online databases. You'll want to research potential employers, read about job trends in specific careers and identify specific organizations where you want to work.
In the meantime, what follows is a short list of websites where you may begin to explore the range of current job opportunities. If you want help with your work search visit Career Services and make an appointment to see a career advisor.
Occupational & Career Information
Whether you know what you want to do or you haven't yet made up your mind, you should take action to increase the odds of making choices that will benefit you. To help you get started, click the link below to learn about your "dream" career and other careers you may want to consider. Who knows, while exploring these resources you may broaden your knowledge about what's out there and open the door to other career possibilities. What you'll notice is that there is no one plan rather a range of options.
