Are you curious about the world of computer science (CS) but don’t know where to start? If you have an interest in technology, banking, healthcare, defense, or really any industry, CS can open doors to exciting careers in each of them! Here’s how one of our SK mentors, Srikar, suggested a path from a personal journey. The guidelines below are for starting your CS journey and planning your high school coursework to build a strong foundation.
Step 1: Plan Your Courses
In high school, aim to take courses that will help you develop logical thinking, problem-solving, and strong math skills. AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) or AP Computer Science A can be a great starting point, but remember that a one-year course might only scratch the surface. If possible, start coding early. For example, learning Python or another language in middle school or early high school can help you gain confidence and skills for advanced CS topics later.
Step 2: Learn How to Think Like a Programmer
School typically teaches us to work in one direction: find the problem, then find the answer. But in CS, learning to think backwards—starting with the solution and figuring out how to get there—is essential. Practice breaking down big problems into smaller parts. Often, there will be a pattern in problems, and recognizing these patterns can make your coding journey smoother.
Step 3: Focus on Reading Comprehension
Many students overlook the importance of reading comprehension, but it’s a valuable skill in CS. When faced with a coding challenge or a new concept, being able to understand and interpret instructions, documentation, and examples is key.
Step 4: Find What You Love and Apply CS to It
Computer science isn’t just about working in tech companies. You can use CS in any industry you’re passionate about! If you’re interested in healthcare, for example, you might work on projects predicting breast cancer diagnoses with cancer cell data. Love finance? CS skills are in high demand in banking and investment. Think about what excites you outside of CS—chances are you can apply your coding skills to that area.
Start Coding Early!
The more coding experience you get in high school, the easier things will be in college. CS classes in college can be tough (Operating Systems and Algorithms are known as “weed-out” courses for a reason). If you start coding and developing these skills early, you’ll set yourself up for success down the road.
So dive in, explore coding, and discover all the ways you can apply CS to fields you love!