It wasn’t until the 1990’s when the availability of computers and, even more exciting transformative, the wide accessibility of the world wide web to the general public began to become the normality for people across the western world. Fast forward to 2021 and not only is information technology an integral part of our daily lives (whether you like it or not) but computer science is becoming the most efficient way of improving business models and developing new ways of expanding and strengthening all online aspects of your daily life.
The Difference Between IT & Computer Science
The fundamental difference between information technology and computer science is that the former involves the management and development of the computer systems themselves, whereas the latter encompasses the management and development of software systems contained within a computer system.
Specialist Branches Within Information Technology
The field of information technology is set to experience a significant and substantial boom in terms of its involvement in businesses, the medical world as well as the government’s ability to protect matters of national security and work to prevent terrorist threats, specifically through the increasingly worrying method that criminals use, cybercrime.
The main predictions centered around information technology for 2021 and beyond can be basically divided into three overarching sections: purchaser power, topographical liberation, and managerial ease and strength. The principal development concerning initiatives that place the development of information technology at the forefront of importance are growing in popularity, not in a small part due to the worldwide pandemic of 2020 that devastated countries across the world.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, businesses have been forced to shun tried and tested conventional information technology methods for more modern, innovative processes. Corporations which heavily deal with providing their clients or customers with a practical experience or memory-making package such as theme parks, leisure centers and art galleries are all changing their business models and are instead now offering virtual, computer-based activities and experiences which, more often than not, are proving to be on the whole significantly more profitable for the business.
Institutes across a wide variety of differing fields and industries, varying between hospitals and healthcare, banks and other financial institutions to academic, educational colleges are using brand new pieces of technological equipment to deliver fresh, computer-generated services. Now, in the latter part of 2021, businesses across the different industries are striving to drastically advance the consumer experience they provide by generating their own specialized and uniquely developed digital methods that elevate those experiences and services.
Specialist Branches Within Computer Science
Computer science research and its application is another aspect of modern technology and development that is truly at the forefront of innovation and, furthermore, there is one particular aspect of computer science that professionals in the field are focusing on, especially now in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic of 2020: Edge Computing.
In direct competition to standard and well-known and used cloud computing (which involves the process and storage of data in entirely disconnected computers from the user) edge computing, simply put, places computer data on the edge, meaning it is essentially as close to the user in question as possible. Professionals agree that cloud computing services will not disappear entirely, but instead be used in conjunction with edge computing in the future.
Modern technology such as self-driving vehicles, conferencing software and virtual reality all benefit from edge computing. For example, when a self-driving car overrules the driver and applies the brakes to avoid a road accident, the integrated computer system is a prime example of edge computing as it is able to respond to an incident immediately without any delay time. It is extremely pertinent to note that administrative positions, managerial senior roles and research roles within edge computing usually require at least a minimum of a postgraduate degree in computer science.
Postgraduate Degrees & Their Copious Benefits
Armed with a postgraduate degree in the field, in particular a masters in computer science, you will automatically elevate yourself over your peers and become instantly significantly more attractive and employable to the companies working and thriving at the forefront of computer science innovation. It is strongly advisable, if you are committed and passionate about information technology and computer science, to undertake a master’s degree.
Careers In Computer Science & Progression
There is a plethora of careers in computer science that will afford you and assuming you are wholly dedicated and passionate about the field and are willing to dedicate as much time as possible in honing your skills in the area, such careers tend to be significantly higher paid than the national average in annual wage.
Careers in computer science that offer exciting progression opportunities include, but are categorically in no way limited to:
- Data Analyst: A data analyst compiles, sharpens and explores sets of related data in order to improve a system or solve a problem.
- Game Designer: Essentially what it says on the proverbial tin, a games designer is involved in the creation and development of innovative computer games.
- Software Engineer: Software engineers design, produce and actually write software programs for use in a wide plethora of varying industries
- Web Designer or Web Developer: A web designer builds websites from scratch, according to a client’s needs.
The Dangers of a Computer-Centric World
Unfortunately, as with every innovation though especially any involving modern technology, there are numerous downsides to a computer-centric world. One of the major threats, which governments across the western world are dedicating a substantial amount of their time, resources and money to fighting against is organized and dangerous cybercrime.
In addition and, even more unfortunately and fundamentally scary, we can no longer properly and thoroughly comprehend the machineries and inner workings of the computers, computer systems and machines that most people use, either for in a professional and/or personal context, on a day to day basis. For example, when you buy a brand-new car or even a recent second hand one, the vehicle is operated using an extremely sophisticated computer system, which you do not have full control over.
Categories: Geeks and Nerds Stuff
