In the past few decades, the technology industry has significantly increased. Nowadays, people can rely on numerous technological tools, devices, and gadgets to perform all kinds of activities, making their daily life much simpler. From shopping from the comfort of their homes to completing work tasks using their smartphones, the advancements in the industry simply show no signs of slowing down.
However, while the two occupations share many similarities, they are very different and can greatly influence the path people take in their academic and professional careers.
To make an informed decision, read our guide to learn more about computer science and information technology to figure out which offers the technology career that is a better option for you.
Before we get into the specifics of computer science and information technology, it is important to understand the difference between the two subjects.
For example, computer science is a broad field that focuses on learning about mathematics and algorithms necessary to create, analyze and understand various processes linked to computer systems. It also involves the utilization of different programming languages to communicate with computers as well as to develop and design more efficient programs.
Another way to decide between computer science and information technology is to look at the different classes both subjects offer.
For example, in computer science, you will likely require a lot of math which you expect to learn in classes like discrete math, programming, database development, calculus, linear algebra, and cryptography.
As for information technology, common classes you can expect to learn are information systems, network engineering, system analysis, hardware and software troubleshooting, and business technology.
When choosing between computer science and information technology, make sure you keep your career goals and interests in mind so you can make an informed decision.
Although both subjects are very technology-heavy, there are major differences in the skills required to succeed as an IT professional or computer scientist.
For example, some essentials skills you need to have to be a computer scientist are:
To be an IT specialist, you will need to have:
Due to the broad nature of these two subjects, there are many different job opportunities available for computer science and IT specialists which can also help you make a more informed decision your search for a technology career.
For example, careers in computer science will mainly include working with programming languages or data, whereas jobs in IT will mostly focus on the operation of computers, their networks, and systems.
The most common professions in computer science are system analyst, web designer, software programmer, data scientist, and business analyst. As for IT, some popular professions include technical support specialist, IT project manager, network engineer, and IT consultant.
The post Studying Computer Science vs. IT: Which Subject You Should Choose appeared first on The Startup Magazine.
