Conquering the Computer Major

Tyler Jacobs

CSIS 1030-501

August 3, 2017
Thesis Statement

Math, Computer Fundamentals, and interpersonal skills; these are the three demands one

must conqueror, if one is to prepare for a computing major degree.

Introduction

As one prepares for their journey, embarking on the challenging road that is their path to

their degree, majoring in computer science, one must be ready to face the world of

mathematics, basics computer fundamentals, and all the while building interpersonal

relationships with those they work with. As the world grows, so does its need for

calculations, and the need for things to be precise, does too; the stock market, banking needs,

health care, schooling, all require some degree of math to figure out what needs to go where,

when, how much, and how long. If one is unable to even operate the computer beyond the

simple needs of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and know things like command prompt,

IP addresses, firewalls, profiles, bash scripting, one will stumble along the path. One may be

able to even recover from a said metaphorical stumble, if they are able to ask for help, but to

receive the right help or even help at all, one must be able to build the relationships they

need to succeed.

Statement Points

Before getting started with any major work in your computer science degree, youll

want to look at the requirements for your school you plan on attending before you start you

path to your CS major. Early on youll want to focus on the studies of geometry,

trigonometry, and algebra as these classes will most likely be required for some form of

Calculus later on (Preparing for a Computer Major, 2017). It is important to master the

Conquering the Computer Major | Tyler Jacobs Page 1 of 5

 basics of math. as the basics for a lot of calculations in your studies or work may be required.

One may need to figure out the amount of cabling you need for a network installation on

your site, as adding one number against another number, may not always be the solution, it

may require an algebraic equation. Mostly though, what the math disciplines teach us as we

move forward with our career in computer science, is, they teach us to think abstractly. Most

people forget what they learned after completing a course, passing with flying colors doesnt

indicate one will remember all the things they need, but it does is help form a foundation for

being able to compute abstractly later (America, M.A., 2015). With computers and programs,

networking and trafficking, one must be able to produce results or conjure up formulas one

may have never seen before, and taking mathematical class is an effective way to start, even

if it is just required for a degree.

After one has established the fundamentals of basic mathematics, one must be

prepared to establish a foundation in the fundamentals of computing, that means going

beyond the basic programs you use every day. CPAs, nurses, elementary school teachers,

they all know how to turn on a computer, hit save, and send an email. As a computer major,

youll have to have a better understanding of computer systems. How the operating system

works, how to understand the layout of computer architecture, and even how to set up

computer networks (Preparing for a Career, 2017). Youll also have to learn the basics of

what an algorithm is, learn common languages in the field, use object-orient programing, and

discuss how computer science applies as an application to other areas of study and work;

business, health care, schools, etc. (CSC 100 Fundamentals). Making sure to have a

foundation in these will help you succeed in conquering the demands in your path. Not only

will you have a good footing to stand on as you walk down your line to the point of your

destitution, getting a good foundation will help you decide which computer major to peruse

(7 Ways to Prepare, 2016). Picking the wrong major before you even building a basic

Conquering the Computer Major | Tyler Jacobs Page 2 of 5

 understanding of the fundamentals, may cause you to lay that foundation of yours in the

wrong plot, working now to learn a good broad view of the basics, may help you steer

yourself to a better plot of land, to build your computer career on. It important to establish

this as soon as it you can.

Not only thought is it important to build up fundamental foundations of your studies,

it is also important to build up the ability to relate to others. With the demand of computing

moving beyond the select few who understand it and into the world of everybody needing it,

youll have to spend a good amount of time connecting with others, even if you sit at your

desk 90% of the day. People are everything now a day, and they all use computers. Building

up your communications skills will also allow you to build up your skills as you lean from

each other. Things like agile programming require you to be open about your code and the

mistakes you make, and if you cant communicate that affectively, you might not have a

complete skillset (7 Ways to Prepare, 2016). It is important that you develop these

communication skills early on, as it is not enough to just be good at computers and speak

English, or your native tongue (Preparing for a Career, 2017). One must need to be able to

communicate their needs or they will fall by the way side.

Conclusion

With the ever-growing needs of computers, one will need to be ever grow their

ability to reach out to others, as criticism, teamwork, and communication are key, to succeed

in realms of computer science. As relationships are one of the many fundamentals one will

need beyond the basic knowledge of computer operating systems, computer networking, and

computer architecture. One will start to see these add up as one figures out how to calculate

it all correctly with the knowledge they gained from their mathematics. For learning these

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 disciplines, will allow your equation to success to balance out. Only if you conqueror

mathematics, computer fundamentals, and interpersonal skills

Conquering the Computer Major | Tyler Jacobs Page 4 of 5

References

7 Ways to Prepare for Computer Science Careers. (2016, April 11). Retrieved August 04, 2017,

from https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/7-ways-prepare-

computer-science-careers

America, M. A. (2015, April 01). The Importance of Mathematics Courses in Computer Science

Education. Retrieved August 04, 2017, from http://devlinsangle.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-

importance-of-mathematics-courses.html

CSC 100 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE. (n.d.). Retrieved August 04, 2017, from

http://www.essex.edu/onlinecatalog/course-descriptions/computer-science/csc-100-

fundamentals-of-computer-science/

Preparing for a Career. (n.d.). Retrieved August 04, 2017, from

http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/career/

Preparing for a Computing Major. (n.d.). Retrieved August 04, 2017, from

http://computingcareers.acm.org/?page_id=16

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