There is no way to argue that computers don’t play an increasingly important role in society. Once upon a time the computer geek was snubbed in culture, but that is becoming a thing of the past. With Bill Gates we saw the rise of the nerd as a power figure. With Mark Zuckerburg we learnt that the tech savvy youth have the means to change the world around them with a single innovative idea. Not only are computers useful and powerful, but to many people growing up they are a constant source of amusement and fascination. It is no wonder that more and more people want to study computers and turn their hobby into a flourishing career.
Do you also count yourself among that list?
There is such a high interest in studying computers, that is has been pointed out again and again that there isn’t enough infrastructure at tertiary institutions to accommodate it all. So many students want to study computer science that there isn’t enough room or faculty to meet the demand.
This might make you wonder at the feasibility of your chosen path of study. What if there are just too many people doing computer studies? Will you face very stiff competition when the time comes to actually get a job? Should you rather study something that is less popular? Not necessarily.
Just because there has been a huge influx of people studying computers does not mean that the job market cannot accommodate them.
Computer technology continues to develop at an alarming rate and almost every industry out there needs computer expertise. We might even be able to say that we still haven’t realised the full potential of computer technology. There is a massive demand for people with computer science and information technology qualifications. If you think that the supply of computer-savvy graduates outweighs the demand, think again.
For instance, in a survey of the top 15 in-demand careers for college graduates, the career that had the most job openings in 2014 was software and app development because of the increased demand for computer software. Computer systems analyst also made it into the top four wanted careers, with other computer-related jobs also appearing on the top 15 list.
Also bear in mind that there has been a shift in how computing is done. Traditionally, if you achieved a qualification in computer science, you got a job at a software company. Now the need for computing crosses every business sector so your potential job isn’t limited to software companies.
Even if you don’t particularly want to be a software developer or programmer, computer literacy can give you an edge in many sectors. Almost anyone could benefit from computer courses. Even journalists and marketers are encouraged to beef up their CV with HTML and Javascript knowledge. If you want to learn computer skills, don’t think that you are wasting your time because so many other people are doing it as well. On the other hand, also be wary of doing so just because it is a popular choice. The practicality of studying one thing over another should always be balanced with following something that appeals to your specific interests and abilities.