Question:
Are there a lot of women in the computer sciences field?
k
2007-06-05 08:49:39 UTC
I love working on computers and trying to fix them - I was thinking about going back to school to get a computer science degree, but it doesn't seem like there a lot of women who do this? What type of job can you get with a computer science degree? Where I work - we have a guy who comes in and fixes the computers when they start acting up - I would like something like that - so is that what you would do with a computer science degree?
Four answers:
Josh E
2007-06-05 09:13:47 UTC
First question - no, there aren't a lot of women in computing, whether its programming or maintaining computers. However, as a woman, you probably will find it easier to get hired because of this.



A computer science degree really has nothing to do with maintaining computers. A CS degree is all about how to program and design software. There is a lot of math involved, because you need to understand things like how to sort an array of potentially billions of numbers in the most efficient way. Stuff like that.



If programming interests you, then yes, a CS degree is the way to go. But what you are describing would be the role of a system administrator rather than a programmer or software engineer. If you want to be the person who maintains the computers(and possibly the networks) in a company, then an IT(information technology) degree may be more suited to you. You can pick up an IT degree at a community college or something like ITT in a couple of years, and its geared a lot more toward becoming a system administrator.



Sometimes you will see a system administrator job that asks for a CS degree, but they almost always say "or equivalent experience" in the job description. In my experience, very few CS majors actually want to become system administrators. I did have an elective in my CS degree program that covered Unix system administration. I did a presentation in that class and asked how many people wanted to go into system administration. No one raised their hand. All of us were taking that class for the easy A, and were there in the degree to become programmers rather than administrators.



Thats not to discourage you from taking CS, but IT is a lot easier, it takes less time to get your degree and get employed, and if you find out you want to get a CS degree down the road, IT is a pretty good background for that.
?
2016-05-17 12:31:55 UTC
Go for it. I am a programmer (woman). Do very well. Started my own business doing development and have never looked back. Its a geat field, fast paced. always stuff to learn. You will never be out of a job, that is for sure. you say you are good with computers so I assume you have already started coding. So you already know you enjoy it and are good at it. Honestly, go for it. Its great! Don't buy into the whole "women are not logical mindset". Its utter rubbish. EDS - I just read the comment by the poster above me (incubus aka a bunch of symbols) and it made me very angry. So I am going to add that the beauty about computer science and programming in particular is that it IS logical. Which means it is really not that hard. You learn the language, u understand the syntax and you can make your stuff work. Sure your code might be messy at first and you might write more code than is strictly necessary, but as you get better you get more streamlined and efficient. Plus, you will find the community is very supportive of each other and freely share their knowledge in many instances. Further, I have found that being a woman actually works to my advantage. Not to be sexist, but the stereotypical computer expert is often lacking in people skills and my clients value that I can pitch an idea and communicate it effectively in layman's terms. Honestly, in terms of career choice, it is brilliant. there is so much scope. Don't let people like him put you off by pretending that you are automatically disadvantaged because you are a woman. Whatever flack you may get during your studies will all be forgotten when you enter the job market.
anonymous
2007-06-05 09:10:18 UTC
Computer Science is more involved with programming and development of computers.



If you are wanting to fix computers, and help with networks then you should look into a Information Systems degree. If you don't want to go back to school you can also get your license to repair computers without going to school for it. Then you can get a job somewhere repairing computers (Best Buy, CompUSA, computer stores, corporations, etc)
anonymous
2007-06-05 23:12:25 UTC
Yes there are a lot of Women in IT. our network admin with the VP title is a woman and she is really good at what she is doing. our production functional manager is also a woman and she is being doing an amazing job. Couple programmers and IT lead and QA Manager are all women and we are working in a very large size comany with a lot of demands.

go for it!


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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