College Students Gravitating Back To Computer Science

For college students who are attempting to gauge job trends, selecting the right major can make all of the difference for them when they graduate. After all, why spend four years studying a subject if there are no jobs to be had post graduation?

As a major, Computer Science has had its ups and downs over the past couple of decades, peaking during the 1990s dot com boom. But, once the market crashed, students switched their majors in droves, thinking that the best opportunities in this field had dried up.

Computer Science On The Increase

According to the Computer Research Association (CRA), an association of 200+ academic departments and affiliated professional societies for North America, the trend toward majoring in Computer Science is on the upswing. The CRA recently completed a survey of undegraduate students and found that enrollment is up 6.2 percent over last year.

“The upward surge of student interest is real and bigger than anyone expected,” said Peter Lee, incoming Chair of CRA. “The fact that computer science graduates usually find themselves in high-paying jobs accounts for part of the reversal. Increasingly students also are attracted to the intellectual depth and societal benefits of computing technology.”

“Competitive advantage, driven by innovation, has never been more important,” said Daniel A. Reed, current Chair of CRA. “Computing advances lead to new approaches to solving some of the world’s biggest problems. U.S. businesses must continue integrating new computing technologies to remain globally competitive.”

More Grads Coming Down The Pipe

The trend toward Computer Science is likely warming the hearts of those who support this field. The CRA reports that the number of Computer Science majors graduating this year is down ten percent compared to a twenty percent decline last year. The class of 2009 will soon the fewest number of Computer Science grads in ten years.

With greater numbers of freshmen and sophomore students matriculating as Computer Science majors, the CRA expects to see the number of grads increasing over the next two to four years. And, as the computers continue to play a significantly greater role in our lives, the job market should be brighter especially as the economy recovers.

Source: Computer Research Association

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Tags: college major, computer science