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What Does a Computer Science Career Involve? What to Know
Are you considering a career in computer science? Find out about the specialties you can pursue, educational programs available, and technical skills needed.
Are you considering a career in computer science? With technology driving innovation across industries, computer science professionals are in high demand, with promising employment opportunities and a career outlook. In fact, computer and information research scientists are expected to see job growth of 22% from 2025 to 2035. Let's explore what working in this field entails and the diverse career options available to computer science graduates.
What Computer Science Professionals Do
Computer science professionals solve complex problems through technology. Their day-to-day responsibilities often include:
- Developing and maintaining software applications that address user needs
- Designing computer systems that efficiently organize and process information
- Implementing secure networks and protocols to protect sensitive data
- Analyzing user requirements and creating user-friendly interfaces
- Troubleshooting technical issues and optimizing existing systems
- Analyzing data sets that support technical and business decisions
- Engaging in cross-team collaboration to implement technical initiatives
These professionals serve as the architects and engineers of our digital world, building the infrastructure that powers modern business operations, technical projects, and everyday IT necessities across multiple settings.
Career Paths in Computer Science
The field encompasses a wide range of specializations and roles. Here is a sample of the paths you can pursue with a degree in computer science:
- Software Development - Software developers create applications that range from mobile apps to enterprise-level systems. They combine technical expertise with creativity to build tools that solve real-world problems. Average annual pay is about $134,040, and the expected job growth is projected to reach 10% between 2025 and 2035. Software developers usually work in computer systems design, finance and insurance, software publishing, and manufacturing companies.
- Systems Analysis - A systems analyst examines organizational systems and processes to identify how technology can improve efficiency and outcomes. They make an average of $105,850 per year and the average job growth is projected to be about 8% between 2025 and 2035. Some common industries that employ systems analysts include computer systems design, finance and insurance, information services, and government agencies.
- Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity professionals implement security measures and develop protocols to safeguard sensitive information. Average pay for security analysts hovers around $129,180 per year. The expected job growth is projected to be 21% between 2025 and 2035. These professionals can find work in computer systems design, finance and insurance, information services, and management consulting firms.
- Data Science - Data scientists leverage programming skills to analyze large datasets, extracting valuable insights that drive business decisions. They combine statistical knowledge with computer science expertise. They generally receive an average annual pay of $120,230. The average job growth is projected to be around 35% between 2025 and 2035. Data scientists can find employment in publishing and broadcasting, insurance, computer systems design, and corporate management companies.
- Product Management - Technology product managers oversee the development and improvement of digital products. They coordinate with engineers, designers and business stakeholders to establish product requirements and priorities. Professionals in this role usually earn a median salary of about $175,140 per year and a projected job growth of 16% between 2025 and 2035. Product managers can find employment in software companies, computer systems design firms, financial institutions and technology-focused businesses.
- Database Administration - Database administrators manage, maintain and secure organizational databases, ensuring information remains accessible to authorized users while protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or loss. These professionals generally make a median annual salary of $126,760 and a projected job growth of 4% between 2025 and 2035. Some of the industries that employ database administrators include computer systems design, finance and insurance, educational services, and information services.
- Full-Stack Development - Full-stack developers build and maintain both the front-end interfaces and back-end systems of websites and software applications, using programming languages, databases and development frameworks. Those working in software development and other similar roles generally receive an annual salary of $134,040 and a 10% job growth from 2025 to 2035. Common industries of employment include software publishing, computer systems design, finance and insurance, and manufacturing companies.
Computer Science Educational Pathways
If you’re interested in a computer science career, the next step is to find the right program. Fortunately, Herzing University's computer science programs are career-driven and designed with input from industry professionals to ensure computer science graduates possess relevant technological skills that will boost their employment chances. Here is an overview of our bachelor’s and master’s degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree: Our bachelor's in computer science consists of 120 credits and takes an average of 32 months to complete. Students take courses such as Programming in Python, Database Management Systems, and Foundations of Cybersecurity, which help them develop technical skills across multiple disciplines. Graduates can pursue roles in software development, cybersecurity and cloud computing, depending on their qualifications and experience.
- Master’s degree: Our master’s in computer science consists of 37 credits and can be completed in just 12 months. The courses focus on advanced disciplines such as Big Data Analytics, Software Engineering Management, and Strategic Leadership in Technology. Graduates of our master’s program position themselves to take roles in technology management, data science, and software engineering management. However, employment depends on qualifications, experience, industry, and job title.
Regardless of which path you pursue, our degrees provide a career-focused education that incorporates technical coursework and practical applications to help you master skills relevant to today's technology industry. While the bachelor's program establishes foundational knowledge across several computer science disciplines, the master's program builds on the knowledge and experience you gained through advanced technical studies and leadership-focused coursework.
How do I Choose the Right Computer Science Program?
When it comes to selecting a computer science program, you’ll want to select one that offers the following benefits:
- Industry-relevant curriculum updated to reflect current technologies
- Opportunities for hands-on learning through projects and internships
- Preparation for valuable industry certifications
- Flexible learning formats that accommodate your schedule
- A hands-on learning experience with real-world applications
Herzing’s BS and MS computer science degrees provide flexible learning experiences, modern curriculums that reflect technical trends, and hands-on internships that boost your employment chances. Contact an admissions advisor for more information about our programs so you can make the best choice for you.
Benefits of a Computer Science Career
Choosing computer science as a career path comes with numerous advantages:
- Financial Rewards: Computer science professionals enjoy competitive employment compensation. The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists reflects the high value placed on these skills.
- Job Security: The persistent demand for technology expertise translates to strong job security. As businesses across industries continue digital transformation efforts, qualified computer scientists remain a valuable asset to their organizations.
- Workplace Flexibility: Many computer science positions offer the possibility of remote work and flexible schedules. Industry professionals enjoy the flexibility that allows them to maintain better work-life integration while pursuing challenging projects.
- Continuous Growth: Technology evolves rapidly, creating an environment of perpetual learning and development. For those who enjoy intellectual challenges, this field provides constant opportunities to expand knowledge and skills.
- Quality analytical skills: Working in computer science allows you to develop technical and analytical skills that are transferable and applicable to other roles. The complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and IT skills you’ll gain will be useful for gaining employment in roles besides computer science.
Common Challenges of a Computer Science Career
While a computer science career is a great selection, it’s important to understand the common challenges that come with it:
- Keeping Up with Evolving Technology: Rapid technological advancements require computer science professionals to stay informed about emerging programming languages, software frameworks and industry trends. Continuously learning new skills and adapting to changing technologies can be demanding.
- Managing Workloads and Deadlines: Computer science professionals often juggle multiple projects, demanding deadlines and complex technical responsibilities. Unexpected software issues, changing project requirements and competing priorities can make managing workloads particularly challenging.
- Maintaining Motivation and Preventing Burnout: Working on technically demanding projects for extended periods can contribute to mental fatigue. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and managing stress can be difficult when professionals face prolonged demanding project schedules.
- Communicating and Collaborating with Others: Computer science professionals frequently collaborate with colleagues from different departments, including individuals without technical backgrounds. Explaining complex concepts, aligning project expectations, and coordinating responsibilities across teams can create communication challenges.
- Solving Complex Programming Problems: Developing software and troubleshooting technical issues often require professionals to analyze complicated code, identify errors, and design effective solutions. Resolving these problems can be time-consuming, particularly when working with complex systems.
Essential Skills in the Computer Science Industry
Success in computer science requires mastery of soft and technical skills. Here is a sample of the most critical skills needed in this profession:
- Programming and Coding: Writing, reading and maintaining code using programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and JavaScript.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Analyzing complicated technical problems, identifying their underlying causes and developing logical, effective solutions.
- Communication: Explaining technical information clearly to colleagues, stakeholders and individuals without a technical background.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Working with developers, analysts, designers and other professionals to complete projects and achieve shared objectives.
- Software Development: Understanding how software applications are designed, developed, tested, deployed and maintained throughout their lifecycle.
- Debugging and Troubleshooting: Identifying software errors, investigating system problems and correcting issues that affect performance or functionality.
- Database Management: Organizing, storing, retrieving and maintaining information using database technologies and tools such as SQL.
- Algorithms and Data Structures: Designing efficient procedures for solving computational problems and organizing information for effective processing.
- Data Analysis: Collecting, interpreting and evaluating information to identify patterns, assess performance, and support informed decisions.
- Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Acquiring new technical knowledge and adjusting to emerging technologies, changing programming languages and evolving industry practices.
Pursuing a Career in Computer Science
If a fast-paced IT setting with adaptable technical skills is your calling, then the next step is to enroll in a computer science program. Fortunately, Herzing’s bachelor’s and master’s programs provide the skills and technical expertise needed to succeed in this role. Learn more about our programs and get started on a computer science career!
Learn about Herzing's computer science programs
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2025. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.