Be ahead of the curve in our changing world: Pursue a career in IT

24 Oct 2018

In this digital age, Information Technology (IT) infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Pretty much everyone carries around a smartphone in their pockets; devices that now have more processing power than the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) – the machine that made it possible for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to walk on the moon back in ‘69.

In fact, computing power has increased a trillion times over since the 1950s, from the crucial to the mundane. We can now diagnose Parkinson’s at a much faster rate through artificial intelligence (AI), while technology also enables us to enjoy a bizarre robotic finger that can make a phone crawl across a desk. These technological advances – including the philanthropic and the unnerving – are inescapable.

Pursuing a career in IT will leave you at the cutting-edge of new career pathways, some of which are being carved at this very moment. A Computer Science or IT degree, be it a bachelors, masters or anything beyond, will provide lucrative pathways into leading companies in diverse industries.

There are innovative and exciting new job opportunities appearing all the time, including ethical hacker, DevOps manager, automation architect and virtual reality engineer.

Ultimately a degree in IT or Computer Science will make you a desirable candidate for industries across the board, since computer systems are ubiquitously embedded in all modern businesses, and wireless communication is now a worldwide commodity.

We’ve picked five of the best universities in the US that are future-proofing students through the ongoing technological age.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (UNH) AT MANCHESTER

Source: UNH

If you’re looking for postgraduate IT courses, UNH offers an industry-informed Information Technology master’s program (MS IT). Here, you’ll dive straight into the world of tech and computing. Through in-class and online learning activities as well as effective teamwork sessions, you’ll be introduced to a vast array of tech-savvy tools and DevOps platforms.

The UNH computing community is part of a global family. Plugging your mind into the multidimensional MS IT curriculum, you’ll study many specialized topics and experience a practical learning culture. From database systems and technologies to object-orientated software development, you’ll explore all subject areas of IT.

The city of Manchester, known to be one of the happiest in the US, enjoys a vibrant atmosphere and a well-connected east coast location, with the Greater Boston area serving as the headquarters for many global companies like Reebok, Staples and Thermo Fisher. With your MS IT from UNH at Manchester, you’ll be well placed to kick-start your computing career.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

The Computer Science School at the distinguished Ivy League Columbia University, New York City, offers an MS not only in Computer Science and Computer Engineering, but also a Dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science.

It’s a unique programme in which students will learn about the impact of digital techniques on journalism; the emerging role of citizens in the news process; the influence of social media; and the changing business models that will support news gathering – an excellent opportunity for those wanting to develop their journalistic skills within the technological landscape.

This innovative Computer Science School is at the forefront of study in the field, with four papers being accepted to the Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS) symposium this year.

Here, students also find a great focus on increasing diversity in STEM subjects, particularly addressing the gender gap in technology, demonstrated by the Women in Technology programme.

Source: Shutterstock

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE (UCI)

The Samueli School of Engineering faculty conducts ahead-of-the-curve interdisciplinary research in embedded systems, with a hands-on learning focus that attracts high-achieving students who want more than just a classroom experience.

The school is highly ranked, landing 21st in US News & World Report‘s list of best public engineering graduate schools, whilst its undergraduate programme ranks 24^th among US public schools.

The School is also actively involved in STEM outreach, with student diversity forming one of its most important initiatives, promoting efforts to increase numbers of both minority students and women studying at the school.

In terms of cutting-edge research, particular areas of excellence at UCI include automotive, communications and medical applications; technologies for next-generation wireless systems (5G); and promotion technology and knowledge transfer for the benefit of the individual and society.

So, if you want to throw yourself into a computer science MS programme in the heart of Southern California, the Samueli School of Engineering is the one for you!

THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY) AT BUFFALO

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the SUNY Buffalo, New York, is a dynamic department with a strong national and international reputation for success.

In fact, the most recent 2019 US News and World Report league table for Top Public Schools ranks SUNY Buffalo at 29^th in the US. In addition, Scholar Rankings and CS Rankings.org and ranks the school 46^th and 47^th, respectively.

Studying an MS in Computer Science and Engineering in this well-regarded department will deepen your knowledge of computer science topics and increase your employability, typically leading to better professional employment opportunities and higher pay.

Source: University at Buffalo

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Computer & Information, Science & Engineering at The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida(UF) – on top of an array of Computer Science undergraduate programmes – offers an MS and ME in Computer Engineering, as well as an MS in Computer Science .

The School’s distinguished body of CISE researchers study the theory, design, development and application of computer systems and information processing techniques. The Faculty’s research areas are broad including graphics, modeling and art, computer systems, database and information systems, applied algorithms, intelligent systems, networks and security, allowing you to refine your specialism throughout your postgraduate studies.

“At the University of Florida, we are a people of purpose,” the UF website explains. “We’re committed to challenging convention and ourselves,” it adds. “We see things not as they are, but as they could be. And we strive for a greater impact: one measured in people helped and lives improved.”

This institution is committed to providing the highest quality education at the best value, so choose to accelerate your IT career at UF!

*Some of the institutions featured on this article are commercial partners of Study International