Knowing the steps to becoming a Computer Scientist can demystify the process and help you take the next step toward getting your dream career. Consider the following computer science roles and how one may be your preferred path.

If one of these positions appeals to you, you can find multiple paths to become successful in that endeavor. Some entry-level computer science positions may be open to graduates from bootcamps or certificate programs, whereas others require a college degree. Freelance computer science pros with demonstrated experience can often find additional work on the strength of their portfolios and online reviews from satisfied clients.

Read on to learn more about the many options available for computer science beginners.

What is a Computer Scientist?

The expression Computer Scientist refers to a broad category of computer science roles, including numerous titles. Positions for Computer Scientists can include titles like:

  • Applied Scientist
  • Computational Scientist
  • Computer Vision Scientist
  • Cybersecurity Research Scientist
  • Machine Learning Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Staff Scientist

These are a few of the many titles these skilled professionals can hold. It can be challenging to determine which online job listings are not Computer Scientist if they have the word Scientist in them. However, here are some of the commonalities among Computer Scientist roles overall:

Typical Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for Computer Scientists vary, depending on level, industry, and title. Computer Scientist roles can require research, communication, mathematics, innovation, and writing for publications. Their tasks can relate to software, hardware, networks, and computer programming languages.

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Reporting Structure for This Position

Many Computer Scientists work on large projects for teams, although some may work independently for research and development. They may work in business, medicine, government, system administration, data science, or other fields. Computer Scientists may report to management or team leaders.

Typical Working Environment

While there is no typical working environment for Computer Scientists due to the diversity of positions, a team approach is the most common. In addition to their combination of technical skills, Computer Scientists of all types should expect to use multiple soft skills (communication, time management, attention to detail) to work well with managers, engineers, programmers, and other specialists.

What Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

The tools needed to get started in computer science depend on multiple factors—from your current skill set and previous experience to the type of job you want. However, some essential tools a Computer Scientist needs are applicable across multiple career paths in nearly any industry. Consider the following:

  • Object-Oriented Programming Languages (OOP) - If you plan to work in computer science, there is a better-than-average chance you must master one or more object-oriented programming languages. Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, and C++ are all examples of top languages in the field.
  • Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) - An integrated development environment is essential for many tech professionals developing software codes. Examples of popular IDEs include Visual Studio (VS) Code, PyCharm, Eclipse, NetBeans, and Xcode.
  • Version Control Systems (VCS) - Version Control Systems, or VCS for short, empower development pros to collaborate and secure code management. Top systems include Git, Concurrent Version System (CVS), Mercurial, and Apache Subversion (SVN).
  • Text Editors - Along with integrated development environments and version control systems, computer science pros and coders often use text editors to develop and edit text files. Notepad++ is among the best-known, but other popular text editors include Sublime Text, Espresso, and Vim.

Object-oriented programming languages and their libraries are often free to download, as in the case of Python, a top OOP. Free or open-source IDEs include Netbeans, Eclipse, and Xcode, to name a few. Some Version Control Systems are also free and open source, including Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.

Steps to Become a Computer Scientist

The steps to becoming a Computer Scientist can vary from industry to industry or even person to person. Some who seek a Computer Scientist position will need a degree, whereas others may enter the field with a certificate of completion or certification.

The best path to starting a computer science career requires research: find the requirements for the position you seek. If you know you want a position as a Machine Learning Scientist, the steps you take can differ from those of a Cybersecurity Research Scientist. 

If you have not chosen a field or specific role, consider taking a general computer science bootcamp or certificate program from a respected course provider. For example, the Data Science Certificate from Noble Desktop covers Python, SQL, and machine learning, all topics essential to entry-level data science or Python engineering roles.

Computer Scientist Career Path

The computer science career path begins with research and training. College graduates with computer science degrees may or may not qualify for some entry-level roles, so there is no guarantee that the degree will lead to a coveted role. On the other hand, virtually every computer science position will have unique requirements. Analysts, developers, and engineers of all sorts have computer science training.

Freelancing can be a difficult path for those new to the computer science field. Most freelancers find and keep clients because they have a specialization that other freelancers do not. Additionally, most computer science workers are employees, not freelancers. Running a freelance business while gaining valuable computer science experience holds its own unique set of challenges.

Entering the computer science sector without a degree holds similar challenges. Many Computer Scientists have advanced degrees and years of experience. Competing against them in an ever-changing job market requires intensive training. However, thanks to the high demand for computer science professionals in numerous industries, a certificate of completion from a respected course provider can land a candidate an entry-level role in many instances.

Why Become A Computer Scientist?

Computer science is an excellent career choice, and the reason is simple: variety.

Career paths for computer science professionals can vary even more than the titles they have. Every industry and sector needs Computer Scientists, from government to systems design.

Many advertised positions don’t mention computers in the title because the employer assumes candidates will have computer science skills. Examples include:

  • Cybersecurity Research Scientist
  • Data Scientist
  • Database Administrator
  • Software Engineer
  • Research Scientist

It’s crucial to look beyond titles and check the qualifications listed in job postings. A junior software engineering position might require knowing Python, JavaScript, and the MERN tech stack.

Beyond the entry or junior level, computer science roles can lead seamlessly to senior roles. An experienced Junior Computer Scientist will often move on to a Senior Computer Scientist or comparable position. The most attractive locations for computer science positions include major metropolitan areas like New York City and Chicago. However, salaries for Senior Computer Scientists in cities like Austin, Texas, or San Jose, California, exceed $100,000, with a median income of around $145,000 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Learn the Skills to Become a Computer Scientist at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers multiple training options for students planning to learn computer science, in-person and online through teleconferencing. Topics include web development, data science programming, and software engineering. Consider the following programs:

  • Data Science Certificate - One of Noble Desktop’s most popular programs, this course includes Python training as part of a more comprehensive data science curriculum. Attendees learn Python fundamentals like database analysis, automation, and formatting. You’ll also master other topics like SQL and machine learning.
  • Full-Stack Web Development Certificate - The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate course provides students with intensive, comprehensive front and back-end coding training, teaching them to build and maintain websites. Through hands-on projects, the students will learn CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, SQL, Python, and Django, eventually becoming proficient in designing and developing complete web applications.
  • Python Developer Certificate - The curriculum for this in-depth certificate program includes a 60-hour unit on Python Web Development with Django. In this intensive course, you’ll learn about URL dispatchers, automation, GitHub, and SQL. Attendees should have some experience with HTML and CSS before enrolling.
  • Python Programming Bootcamp - The Python Programming Bootcamp is an intensive course designed to thoroughly immerse students in Python, one of the most sought-after programming languages in the tech industry. Not only will students be introduced to the basics of writing and running Python scripts, but they will also delve into more advanced topics such as file operations, regular expressions, working with binary data, and leveraging the extensive functionality of Python libraries.
  • JavaScript Development Certificate - The JavaScript Development Certificate covers programming and development basics, including object-oriented programming (OOP), variables, arrays, string methods, and more. Tools and techniques include the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node), Visual Studio Code, Git, and GitHub. The course comprises eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and graduates can retake the program for up to one year at no additional charge. Applicants should be familiar with HTML/CSS before enrollment.