J-Boy
Answer
Most Computer Science majors in the US are taking this major to do Programming. There are few majors that cause a love it or hate it reaction like Computer Science. Some people are very gifted at it and enjoy it while others despise it.
After you take a few Programming classes it will become clear to you what your own aptitude is in this area. If you have Programming there are many other IT areas that don't involve Programming. Here are a few:
Computer Technician - Works on computer hardware at user location or in service center. (entry level IT Job)
Service Center Coordinator - Schedules the repair of user community computers, orders spare parts, schedules staff, establishes priorities, maintains loaner laptops and non-US laptops for travel outside of US.
Help Desk Staff - answer questions and resolve problems for the user community. (entry level IT Job - Tier 1 support)
Storage Administrator - in charge of mass storage servers and devices.
Network Administrator - Works on routers, switches, hubs, cables, load balancers and all the other hardware that handles LAN and WAN network traffic. Also, may be responsible for IP phone service.
Systems Administrator or Systems Engineer- Works with servers, laptops and desktop computers to keep them free of problems and secure the data they contain. Responsible for Security group creation and memberships, server patching, anti-virus protection updates, password changes and any automated mechanisms that make these changes. These positions may be divided into server and desktop teams. Tier 2 support.
Enterprise Administrator - Handles Enterprise support and design issues. Tier 3 support.
Active Directory Administrator - Designs and administers Active Directory infrastructure, AD policies, access permissions, roles, group policies, separation of duties.
Exchange and Messaging Administrator - maintains mail systems servers, other mail related devices and the company messaging infrastructure.
Backup Administrator - Maintains backup devices and determines backup strategies so data that was deleted accidentally or intentionally can be recovered. Design and control how and when data is backed up, where the backups are stored and how long the backups are retained. They will test to be sure backups are valid and usable.
Disaster Recovery Specialist - Plans for disaster events so the company data and infrastructure can be brought back online as quickly as possible after a fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism or other disaster event. Plans for failover of services to alternate locations, if the primary location is not available.
Database Administrator - Maintains the company databases which may include customer and sales records, billing information, inventory and other data.
Computing Security Specialist - A company's biggest asset is its data and the Computing Security Specialist will work to try to keep that data protected from loss. They may be dealing with and defending against viruses, hoaxes, malware, keyloggers, phishing attacks, internal attacks and domestic and foreign intrusion. Develops monitoring and interception systems, filters and strategies and works with appropriate government agencies.
Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist - Works with acquired outside companies to establish migration into the corporate computing infrastructure.
Data Center Administrator - Maintains the data center facilities where the company's servers and other devices reside. They are responsible for physical security and may review badge reader and camera information to be sure that only individuals with proper access are getting close to the company's servers and other critical devices. Also, maintain backup power devices (UPS or generators), climate control equipment, fire suppression equipment, establish access policies, etc.
In a small business the list above might be one or two people doing all these jobs. In a large Enterprise environment this could be hundreds of people.
Most Computer Science majors in the US are taking this major to do Programming. There are few majors that cause a love it or hate it reaction like Computer Science. Some people are very gifted at it and enjoy it while others despise it.
After you take a few Programming classes it will become clear to you what your own aptitude is in this area. If you have Programming there are many other IT areas that don't involve Programming. Here are a few:
Computer Technician - Works on computer hardware at user location or in service center. (entry level IT Job)
Service Center Coordinator - Schedules the repair of user community computers, orders spare parts, schedules staff, establishes priorities, maintains loaner laptops and non-US laptops for travel outside of US.
Help Desk Staff - answer questions and resolve problems for the user community. (entry level IT Job - Tier 1 support)
Storage Administrator - in charge of mass storage servers and devices.
Network Administrator - Works on routers, switches, hubs, cables, load balancers and all the other hardware that handles LAN and WAN network traffic. Also, may be responsible for IP phone service.
Systems Administrator or Systems Engineer- Works with servers, laptops and desktop computers to keep them free of problems and secure the data they contain. Responsible for Security group creation and memberships, server patching, anti-virus protection updates, password changes and any automated mechanisms that make these changes. These positions may be divided into server and desktop teams. Tier 2 support.
Enterprise Administrator - Handles Enterprise support and design issues. Tier 3 support.
Active Directory Administrator - Designs and administers Active Directory infrastructure, AD policies, access permissions, roles, group policies, separation of duties.
Exchange and Messaging Administrator - maintains mail systems servers, other mail related devices and the company messaging infrastructure.
Backup Administrator - Maintains backup devices and determines backup strategies so data that was deleted accidentally or intentionally can be recovered. Design and control how and when data is backed up, where the backups are stored and how long the backups are retained. They will test to be sure backups are valid and usable.
Disaster Recovery Specialist - Plans for disaster events so the company data and infrastructure can be brought back online as quickly as possible after a fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism or other disaster event. Plans for failover of services to alternate locations, if the primary location is not available.
Database Administrator - Maintains the company databases which may include customer and sales records, billing information, inventory and other data.
Computing Security Specialist - A company's biggest asset is its data and the Computing Security Specialist will work to try to keep that data protected from loss. They may be dealing with and defending against viruses, hoaxes, malware, keyloggers, phishing attacks, internal attacks and domestic and foreign intrusion. Develops monitoring and interception systems, filters and strategies and works with appropriate government agencies.
Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist - Works with acquired outside companies to establish migration into the corporate computing infrastructure.
Data Center Administrator - Maintains the data center facilities where the company's servers and other devices reside. They are responsible for physical security and may review badge reader and camera information to be sure that only individuals with proper access are getting close to the company's servers and other critical devices. Also, maintain backup power devices (UPS or generators), climate control equipment, fire suppression equipment, establish access policies, etc.
In a small business the list above might be one or two people doing all these jobs. In a large Enterprise environment this could be hundreds of people.
I am a computer science major do I need to get a new laptop for college?
Cr1496
I am majoring in computer science and going to college this coming fall. I currently have a Toshiba Satellite with Windows 7. I got it two years ago. It is not very fast as it was one of the cheapest computers at best buy and has had multiple problems including having numerous BSOD's, an overly sensitive mouse, and has had the hard drive replaced at least two or three times. Is it worth it to keep it or should I just give it to one of my younger siblings to use in high school and get myself a better laptop??? I just don't want to end up having to buy a new laptop junior or senior year when I really can't afford it. If I should get a new one any suggestions on brands, models, etc... I prefer PC over Mac
Also I have never had any kind of smartphone before, should I get one for college so I am able to keep up with technology or does it not matter. I pay for my phone for myself and my parents don't have a contract so I have a blackberry type tracfone.
Answer
You will find that despite what it sounds like now, that you will probably end up doing most of your programming in one of the many computer labs on campus, especially the ones with dual monitors :). This is also advantageous and more enjoyable because you get to hang out with your friends while working, ask questions, help each other, order pizza, and so on. This is how CS education tends to work. Think about it, are you going to carry around your laptop everywhere, or just hop on a computer? Laptops tend to stay in students' dorm rooms.
You are never more than 5 minutes of a computer on any campus. You are fine, you do not even need a personal computer. Your account at a university will come with it ample file system space for you to store everything over your entire 4 years there, you will have too much room, and also campus computers have the software (e.g. IDEs if you want to use one of those for programming) already on them, already configured, and so on.
It is really a non-issue, you do not need to get a new computer, you are fine dude. There is nothing demanding computationally about CS projects or classes. I use emacs, a text editor for all my programming. I run ubuntu 12.04, you do not need anything fancy at all. There is zero need to get a new computer.
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There is nothing to keep with in regard to having a smartphone. A smartphone is basically just a computer, you have that.
You will find that despite what it sounds like now, that you will probably end up doing most of your programming in one of the many computer labs on campus, especially the ones with dual monitors :). This is also advantageous and more enjoyable because you get to hang out with your friends while working, ask questions, help each other, order pizza, and so on. This is how CS education tends to work. Think about it, are you going to carry around your laptop everywhere, or just hop on a computer? Laptops tend to stay in students' dorm rooms.
You are never more than 5 minutes of a computer on any campus. You are fine, you do not even need a personal computer. Your account at a university will come with it ample file system space for you to store everything over your entire 4 years there, you will have too much room, and also campus computers have the software (e.g. IDEs if you want to use one of those for programming) already on them, already configured, and so on.
It is really a non-issue, you do not need to get a new computer, you are fine dude. There is nothing demanding computationally about CS projects or classes. I use emacs, a text editor for all my programming. I run ubuntu 12.04, you do not need anything fancy at all. There is zero need to get a new computer.
--
There is nothing to keep with in regard to having a smartphone. A smartphone is basically just a computer, you have that.
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