Breaking into Computer Science

Introduction

Technology is an integral and ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From the devices we interact with everyday (or literally carry with us at all times) to the algorithms that influence nearly every aspect of modern life – from our social media feeds to judicial decisions to security, healthcare, and even research – technology is everywhere. Alongside humanity’s transition into this way of living, a distinct professional tech culture has emerged – one that promises innovative workspaces and work-related lifestyles, competitive salaries, and the literal chance to build and shape the future. Maybe you've found your interest piqued by these promises; instead, maybe you've found your interest piqued by recent news regarding AI breakthroughs, yourself fascinated by how your favorite games work, or you’re simply drawn to engineering with purpose and the idea of creating technology that could impact millions of lives.

If any of this sounds familiar, that’s great – your interest is definitely worth exploring! Not only will it help you become more tech-literate in today’s world, but it could also guide you toward exciting career opportunities. A great place to start is by learning what it really means to be a computer scientist or programmer. How can you know if this fast-evolving field is the right fit for your skills and interests?

This article will, simply put, give you an idea of how to begin your search into “computer science”. I’ll identify some core concepts, cool resources, and review more deeply why people choose this path. Whether you're actively considering the field or simply curious, we'll look beyond the surface to begin to understand what working in computer science really entails, how to meaningfully explore it, and what it means to pursue it and set yourself up for success, beginning with higher education.

What Actually is Computer Science?

Let's get a basic misconception out of the way: computer science is not just about coding. At its core, it's about problem-solving and logical thinking. Programming is about coding and applying that problem-solving and logical thinking from computer science.

Computer science consists of several sub-branch topics:

1. Systems and Architecture

This is about understanding how computers actually work – from the physical hardware to the software that makes it run. You might be interested in this field if you enjoy learning how things work on a deeper level, practicing organization, and using knowledge to create significant, foundational technology.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

This feels like this is the hottest field in tech right now, right? AI is not just about creating robots, although that can be part of it. It's about teaching computers to recognize patterns, make decisions, and solve complex problems. This field is interdisciplinary and combines statistics, math, and programming, (often human psychology as well) to create systems that can learn from data and experience – whether that's detecting fraud, recommending media, or helping doctors diagnose and even cure diseases.

3. Software Development

This is probably what most people think of when they imagine working in tech and computer science. Software development is all about building applications and systems people use every day. But even this is putting it too simply; software development breaks down into numerous specialties: web development, mobile apps, game development, software for private companies and organizations, and more. Each of those sub-sub-branches requires different skills.

Why Consider Computer Science?

The reasons one might be drawn to computer science, explore, pursue, and practice it professionally are as varied as the study itself:

Creative Problem Solving

Despite another common misconception that computer science is routine and uninspired, it's actually a highly creative field. You're constantly solving problems and iteratively finding newer and better ways to do so. Whether you're designing user interfaces or optimizing algorithms, you're creating solutions that didn't exist before.

Impact and Purpose

As an engineer or in an engineering-adjacent role, you have the opportunity to directly shape the world around you. Your ideas, programs, and solutions will have real-world impact. The scale of what you can accomplish is immense, and your work could touch millions of lives in meaningful ways. Many people working in computer science describe a strong sense of agency and purpose, as they have the opportunity to directly contribute to projects and causes they care about.

Career Flexibility

The skills you learn in computer science, both as a student and a professional, are incredibly transferable. You might start as a software developer and end up as a product manager or in another big-picture role, or use your programming skills in distinct fields like finance, healthcare, or scientific research you might be interested in, again possibly providing you more agency and flexibility.

Getting Started: Your Personal Exploration Path

The best part about exploring computer science today? You can start right now, for free, using the very device you're reading this article on! But here's the key: try your best not to become overwhelmed by the number of online resources. Computer science is a huge field with countless languages, tools, and concepts, making it hard to know where to begin—especially when a simple search for "computer science" returns billions of results. Start small by exploring just a few resources—maybe 2 or 3—that focus on what interests you most, and then build your knowledge from there.

To be more concrete as to where you should begin, I recommend starting by learning about and understanding what programming languages are, since these are the foundation of all your projects. Programs are the sets of instructions you give a computer to make it perform something you want it to do, like solve problems, run video games, create websites, etc. Learning a programming language means learning the syntax and grammar with which you talk to the computer. Identify an area that interests you, then explore the languages commonly used in that field. After this, consider the other suggestions I’ve outlined below:

Identify/Find Your Learning Style

Everyone learns differently. Some people thrive with structure, particularly through coursework, while others prefer to learn by doing, like through projects. Some key approaches:

• Tutorial-Based Learning: Follow structured online courses that walk you through concepts step-by-step
• Project-Based Learning: Pick a small project that interests you (like building a simple game or website) and learn what you need to complete it
• Documentation Diving: Most programming languages and tools come with something called "documentation"—a guide created by the developers that explains how to use their tools effectively. Once you’ve got a basic understanding of a language or tool, I highly recommend using documentation, especially while working on a project. Many people find that learning directly from technical documentation and experimenting with it helps them gain a deeper understanding of how things work.
• Visual Learning: Video tutorials and interactive demonstrations
• Academic Style: University-style courses and textbooks

Free Resources Worth Exploring

While popular websites like codeacademy.com and Khan Academy provide strong foundations in computer science concepts and programming syntax, the real gift is in the variety of resources and learning paths available online:

• University Course Materials: Major universities like MIT and Harvard publish their computer science materials online for free
• Interactive Learning Platforms: From gamified coding exercises to practical projects
• Open Source Communities: Where you can learn by reading others' code and eventually contributing
• YouTube Channels: Many professional developers share in-depth tutorials and insights

Setting Yourself Up for Success

If you're finding that you’re still interested in computer science if not more so after reading this article, here's how to prepare for the next steps:

Building a Foundation

Focus on understanding core concepts rather than just memorizing syntax:

• Problem-solving approaches
• Basic programming principles
• How to read and understand documentation
• When to ask for help and where to ask it when stuck (trust me, everyone gets stuck, and this process can be daunting when you're teaching yourself)

Preparing for Higher Education

If college is in your plans, and you’re preparing for a degree in computer science, this project should begin well before you step onto campus. Here are some key, important steps to take:

• Take Available Math and Computer Science Courses at School: The more you can build a strong foundation in subjects like algebra, calculus, and computer science, the better prepared you'll be for college-level coursework in computer science. If your school offers any introductory computer science classes or AP courses, even better – make sure to take them. These will help you grasp key concepts like algorithms, problem-solving, and programming logic.
• Start Building a Portfolio of Personal Projects: College admissions and future employers love seeing hands-on experience. Start building a portfolio of projects you’ve worked on, whether it’s a website, a simple game, a useful app, or code that works with data and solves problems. This will not only help you stand out in the process, but also give you practical skills that will be practically useful in your studies and career.
• Look for Summer Programs, Internships, and Workshops: Many universities, tech companies, and nonprofits offer summer programs or workshops focused on computer science. These are a great way to deepen your knowledge, meet other students interested in tech, give your college application an edge, and get a feel for what working in the field is really like – put your interest to the test! You can also explore math-focused summer programs, internships, and workshops. Building strong mathematical fluency will give you a solid foundation for learning computer science, so pursuing these opportunities will definitely benefit you.
• Join or Start a Coding Club: Being part of a coding club or tech-related extracurricular activity inside or outside of school can offer hands-on experience and provide a sense of community with others who share your interests. If your school doesn’t have one, consider starting your own club! It’s a great way to collaborate on projects and learn with and from others.

The Reality Check

Computer science isn't for everyone, and that's completely fine. It requires:

• Ability to think mathematically, abstractly, and creatively
• Comfort with constant learning
• (Sometimes extreme) patience with complex problems and frustration

But if these challenges excite rather than deter you, you might have found your path!

What's Next?

My final piece of advice is simply to start small, pace yourself, have fun and explore. Pick one area that interests you most and spend a few weeks exploring it. Try different learning resources until you find what works for you. Join online communities and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Remember: everyone starts somewhere. The key is to start exploring and see where the path leads you. Whether you end up pursuing computer science academically or professionally or simply gain a better understanding of the technology around you, the journey is worth taking.

There is some dispute about job prospects for computer scientists, especially with the advent of AI and its relation to outsourced labor. If these are major concerns, CS is still a worthwhile pursuit, even if it’s not your primary focus or major.

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