These career fields of Computer Science are related to designing, creating, and programming computers and computer systems. They normally require a 4-year University degree (Bachelor of Science) and possibly more. College courses include lots of math, science, computers, and engineering. Jobs generally start in the $70,00+ range and go up from there. The big tech companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Facebook, Amazon, IBM, etc.) not to mention any other industry that relies on computers (which is most companies) employ these people. With computers everywhere and the Internet of Things just starting, there will be no shortage of these jobs in the near future.
Careers
- Software Engineer and Developer
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Data Scientist
- Cloud Computing
- Mobile Applications
- Internet of Things
High School Opportunities for Career Pathways
Programming and Software Design
Interested in writing code and designing your own software. Here are some courses you should take in high school to get you started.
- Intro to Computer Science – Mr. Didier: This class is a survey class of computer science and the fundamentals of computer programming. The course will cover a wide variety of topics around how computer systems are designed, maintained, and used.
- AP Computer Science – Mr. Didier. AP Computer Science is an intensive study of object-oriented design and problem solving, using common algorithms and data structures, implemented with the Java programming language preparing students for the AP Computer Science A exam.
- Advanced Computer Science Projects – Mr. Didier. This course is for independent projects in Computer Science. Take this course to learn a language other than Java, learn advanced data structures and programming beyond the AP curriculum, or learn JavaFX to create your own graphics in Java.
Robotics and Engineering
Take these Los Alamos High School classes if you want to know more about robotics and engineering.
- Robotics I and II. This course uses robotic applications to solve a variety of engineering challenges and competitions, using electrical and mechanical systems. Students design, build, and program various robotic devices, using the engineering design process to refine their creations. This is a project based, problem-solving, hands-on course.
- Intro to and Advanced Engineering Design. This introductory course is focused upon the basic skills and knowledge of drafting as the universal language required for engineering design. Students will learn and apply sketching, geometric construction, multi-view drawings, dimensioning, sectional views, and pictorials. Scientific thinking and the engineering design process will be emphasized. Students will design, construct, and test various engineering challenges. CAD software will be introduced in this course.
- Electronics. This course covers the principles of electricity and electrical circuits. Students learn to read schematics, calculate and measure fundamental quantities, and to choose the correct components for circuits. Many analog and digital circuits are assembled and tested in this class.
College Programs
- University of New Mexico (Albuquerque)
- New Mexico Tech (Socorro)
- New Mexico State (Las Cruces)
- Eastern New Mexico University (Portales)
- CNM (Albuquerque): 2-year Associates degree
- San Juan College (Farmington)
- New Mexico Highlands University (Las Vegas)
- Fort Lewis College (Durango, CO)