Bachelor in Computer Science - Loyola University Maryland (Winner)
Editors Note: This student story essay was selected as 1st place winner from BrainTrack's Computer Science Scholarship for Spring, 2011. At the time of submittal this winner, David Christo, was studying for a B. S. in Computer Science at Loyola University Maryland.
Wishes Had Known | Advice on Career | Study TipsWhat do you wish you had known about selecting and entering your business school that would be helpful to others going into computer science?
Before applying for computer science programs at several universities, I reviewed the ABET web site and the kinds of course required for various computer-related majors. From that research, I determined that the type of degree for which I was best suited was a B.S. in computer science with an emphasis in software engineering. That research really helped me to select the schools where I would eventually apply. After the applications were submitted, my acceptance letters were received, and I had selected a college, one other question came to light which I had never considered.
That question was: Is the preparation I will receive in computer science more theoretically-based or more real-life oriented? It is an important question, because theoretically-based programs can prepare you for advanced college-based work, but may not make you as immediately employable right out of college.If that flexibility is important in your planning, it is a question that should be asked before making application to any school. It was one I wish had known to ask much earlier in the process, since it may have eliminated a few programs from further consideration. Fortunately, the program I selected turned out to be one grounded in skills that would have immediate value upon graduation. While I hope to go on for a M.S. and a Ph.D. in computer science and artificial intelligence right after completing undergraduate school, I also want the option to be immediately employable upon graduation, should the need arise.>
Other than school, what would you advise people entering the computer science field to consider or prepare for?
During the four years before college, I had volunteer and paid work experiences where I used computers. In school, I was a volunteer technology assistant. In that capacity, I helped set up computers for student labs, upgraded computer security programs on student laptops, helped technology challenged teachers make their computers and peripherals work together, pulled wire for the school WiFi, and worked on spreadsheets and mailings for a couple of instructors.
In the four summers before college, I also worked as an instructor and simulations programmer at a space camp. At space camp, I transported, set up, and tore down computer installations almost every week. Additionally, I instructed students in operating shuttle docking simulations, Lunar and Mars Rover simulations, and, during my last summer, I wrote a completely new Mars Rover Simulation in one evening after the previous application failed. This past summer, I worked as a paid intern at a value added reseller where I closed service tickets and learned UNIX all in about in six weeks.
My best advice to others is to find opportunities to work with computers wherever you can. Be prepared to try and fail, then try again. I can’t tell you how often I did just that over those four years before college and I anticipate I will continue to do so in the future as I continue learning. Just know that the knowledge gained from those experiences is some of the best training you will get in computing. Those experiences also made choosing my course of study in college easy, because I already knew what to expect and over that time I came to love the intellectual challenges computing could offer me.
What study tips would you recommend to other computer science students?
When I entered college this fall, I decided that I might need a new approach to studying and participating in class discussions. I noticed when playing new computer games that it was more useful to approach each game as a new experience, rather than trying to adapt skills developed in previous games to the new one. I figured college might be similar to trying a new game. Instead of leaning on the study skills I acquired in high school, I needed to develop new skills based on the requirements of the new environment. In high school, it was easy to give a hurried look to all the material, do the homework regularly, study the night before the tests, and try to maintain a low profile in classes so as to avoid being called on by the teacher.
In college, I knew my approach would have to be different. Instead of being reactive to my studies as I had been in high school, I decided that to be successful I would need to become more proactive. I decided to take time to review the syllabus for each class at the beginning of the semester, try to determine the emphasis the instructor would take, make a calendar of the work from all my classes so I could determine my workload on any given day, go to class with the idea of being a regular contributor, and make an effort to become known by my instructors. In high school, I had taken many courses that I had little interest in and where I needed to earn a good grade so I could get into a good college. In college, I came to the realization that I would be studying many more courses in which I had a very high level of interest. It made changing how I studied and interacted with my instructors essential to my success.