The age of computer is within us now and what better way to advance into the future than to embrace this era of information technology. Many people are so engrossed with technology these days that they would not hesitate upgrading their gadgets and other devices as new models are introduced in the market. Additionally, most organizations also operate today with the aid of electronic data processing systems while students make their research and other assignments faster with the help of computers.

Students pursuing courses in computer science, computer programming and other information technology (IT) related courses are on the right track. IT careers still have a bright future in the U.S. including Pennsylvania despite the reality that many companies are outsourcing their workload. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown that more IT jobs are being created and the rate is faster than they are outsourced to other countries. It also confirmed that computer skills application will increase in areas such as healthcare, retail trade and construction.

Various computer and IT-related courses are available today for high school graduates or even for professionals who want to change their career path or improve their current careers. These include Computer Systems Software Engineering, Computer Applications Software Engineering, Computer Systems Analyst, Database Administration and Network Systems and Data Communication Analyst. These courses can lead to some of the fastest growing jobs through 2014, according to the Labor Statistics Bureau. They are also among the top 10 jobs with computer or programming degree listed by CNN.com and CareerBuilder.com. Employment and wage in the computer science field is seen to go up by 68 percent until 2014.

Computer Science deals with the theories of information and computation or the study of algorithmic processes. Computer science has four important areas as identified by the Computer Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB) – theory of computation, algorithms and data structures, programming methodology and languages and computer elements and architecture.

In colleges and universities such as in Pennsylvania, this discipline normally delves into the computation theory, concurrency theory, analysis of algorithms and systems, databases, computer graphics and computer programming. A major part of the course usually provides college students hands-on training covering software applications, computer programming, online data and information and computer networking. A Computer Science education can be earned in two ways – either by getting a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. One can undergo training online or by going to a traditional school.

An associate degree is a two-year general program that tackles computer operations, problems and solutions as well as designing computer systems. Students who choose this program are taught about computer theory, hardware design, computer applications and programming. The emphasis is more on the basic skills that an individual may need in performing his or her job. This degree program is ideal for people who want to land an entry level job right away and for professionals seeking advanced education in the field of computer programming.

A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, on the other hand, has a wider and more extensive coverage. This four-year course is also more mathematical in nature. Subjects taught in this program include theories of algorithms, programming languages and database management.

Graduates of Computer Science have excellent job opportunities ahead of them. They can work in different fields such as business, government and the academe. From the present through 2014, a 40 percent growth is seen in the demand for computer scientists with an expected median wage of $81,000.