How to Become a Computer Scientist

Let’s start by defining what is computer science, because that is a discipline that stands at the basis of everything else when it comes to programming, software, and hardware work. For starters, it’s important to understand that computer science is not the same as computer programming; the former is the research-based approach to computer work, and the latter is the practical, day-to-day work conducted in the world of computation.

So, what does that mean? In practice, you could find your first job as a computer programmer without studying computer science, but only focusing on learning one or more programming languages. This can be done independently through books and online resources, or through boot camps, where you study with others over a few weeks or months, focusing only on the practical, daily work of computer programming – writing code. 

But there’s a major downside to that approach: your career prospects will be limited, and you won’t be able to advance to more senior roles. Granted, programming jobs pay relatively well compared to other jobs, but programmers without computer science and research or development skills are not likely to see their salaries increasing significantly over time. In addition, competition for good programming jobs is fierce, especially for entry-level jobs, and candidates with an academic background in computer science have better chances compared to programmers without such knowledge. 

So, if you're seriously thinking about a real career in tech, you should really consider getting an academic degree – it will pay dividends over time, and even right after you graduate, as the knowledge you’ll have could help you overcome many of the obstacles junior computer programmers have to face. 

Think of computer science as the world of theory working behind the scenes to support, challenge and improve the business operations aspects of computer work. This can be done by conceptualising new hardware forms or by creating new software. The goal of these new developments, from a computer science perspective, is to push for new options in the field – to see what new problems computers can solve with the help of their computational power.

In many cases, computer scientists will work on simplifying and developing algorithms, the formulas on which tech applications are based. They do so in order to make programmes and applications more efficient and robust, which means they help develop existing programming languages and programmes, or make new ones.

That’s why computer science career paths are so exciting: the possibilities in this field are endless. Computer scientists combine deep knowledge in mathematics and engineering principles, with a wide range of other skills, according to their passion and interests: design, physics, philosophy, linguistics… That’s why computer science is such a dominant part of today’s world – it really does touch almost everything. 

If you’ve been interested in a tech career for a while now or have read other guides for how to start your career in the field, you might be asking yourself now about software development or engineering. What are these roles? How are they different from computer science? 

Don’t worry – this guide covers these topics as well. If you’re looking for information on how to become a software developer, or how to become a software engineering, this next section is for you. 

Are you curious by nature, and love learning new things every day? Do you love puzzles and solving tough problems? Can you spend hours analysing things in detail?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, then very few roles can compete with what computer science career options can offer you. You’ll be constantly on the hunt for solutions to problems, dealing with tough challenges, and tasked with analysing algorithms, code lines and mathematical equations in great detail.

It’s a challenging and often unglamorous job, but for the right person, it can be a source of great passion, fulfillment, and excitement, with new adventures every day and a real sense of being a part of a large community of like-minded tech fanatics.

And the best part? There’s always something new to learn, a new project to fulfill and new problems to solve. You’ll never run out of ideas or possibilities.

Combine that with great salaries, the possibility to work from anywhere in the world, and excellent career prospects as computer scientists are always in great demand, and if you fit the right profile, a career in the field is a really great choice. 

Let’s get one thing out of the way first – if you don’t like math, you won’t like working as a computer scientist.

That’s just the plain truth. Computer science careers require professionals to have a strong mathematical background, and a BSc computer science involves a lot of math courses.

Now, that shouldn’t deter you from building a career in tech. You can build a pretty good basis of programming without having great math skills. But if you want to make the most out of your computer science career opportunities, you’ll have to invest in developing your mathematical skills. 

Ok, now that you know that, what other skills do you need? And what else do you need to consider? 

• You’ll need to have good communication skills: despite the stereotypes – which are sometimes quite accurate, let’s be honest – computer scientists usually don’t work in a bubble. Whether you want to work in research at a university, or as part of a development team at a start-up, you need to be able to talk to people, teach them, lead them, and report to stakeholders and managers. So being able to clearly communicate your ideas is important. 

• You’ll need to have strong analytical skills: to succeed as a computer scientist, you need to be a problem solver. If you struggle with having to come up with solutions to problems, or prefer working in situations where you can always rely on others for answers, you’ll have a hard time building a successful career in the field. 

• You’ll need to think creatively: if you like thinking outside the box, and enjoy coming up with new ways of doing or approaching tasks, you’ll likely thrive as a computer scientist. You’ll need to combine this skill with an analytical side, of course, but if you’re able to do so – well, that’s your superpower right there. 

• You’ll need to be detail-oriented: just being creative and analytical won’t be enough. You need to also pay close attention to the smallest details, and not let anything escape your careful examination. You’ll be going over endless amounts of equations, algorithms, and lines of codes – and all of it is going to require your attention. 

Alright, so now that you know what computer scientists need to do, you’re probably starting to understand why they earn so well, and are so in-demand. This job really isn’t for everyone. 

But, if you’re willing to work hard enough, and if you feel like you have what it takes, the goal is completely within your reach. We believe in you! 

In this part, we’ll break down the steps you need to take to land your first job as a computer scientist, starting from scratch. This breakdown is also useful if you’re wondering how to become a software developer or how to become a software engineer – the differences will be in the skills you’ll need to develop, but the principles remain the same.