The 5 myths around computing careers
There are a number of myths round computer science degrees, Ed Lazowska, the Bill and Melinda Gates professor of Computer Science at the University of Washington recently dispelled 5 of them when he spoke at the National Centre for Women in IT. Â
Myth 1: the only job that a degree in Computer Science  leads to is as a programmer.
As with all degrees, you get a lot of transferable skills which can be applied to a range of professions and the ananlytical problem solving skills will be desirable by lots of employers. There are the obvious careers such as bioinformatics and  multimedia but it can also be used in ther arts, social change and more.
Myth 2: the work of a computer professional is isolating.
It might have been once – all those techies in their own little world but now there is a much greater need for communication and team working, with colleagues and clients to find out the problem and develop solutions.
Myth 3: there are no jobs in high tech since the economic downturn and all the new jobs are being offshored.
Yes a number of jobs have gone to India etc but there are so many new technological changes that jobs will continue to be created.
Myth 4: student interest in Computer Science  is lower than other science disciplines .
Ed Lazowska says that student interest in Computer Science is as high as the other science disciplines.
Myth 5: you cannot make a difference in society through a computing career.
Computer and technology are used exptensively in social change. Technoological intervientions make things easy for people with disabilities, such as braille tutor technology, a web 2.0 site connecting women in developing countries, a medical device that saves lives, a program that teaches autistic children etc.
So don’t write off computer science as just for the geeks, there are so many ways you can use the degree and it can have an impact on social change and you could be part of this.
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