In fact, it’s critical for every tech-related market in operation worldwide! For example, computer science theories influence programming languages, coding projects, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence industries. Teens fascinated by the tech world (particularly research and development) may find this subject particularly rewarding for their studies.
Whether they want to develop apps, explore artificial intelligence, or build their own websites, taking a structured computer science course can help teenagers build the necessary foundation for their career success. But with so many options available, how can students choose the best class for their needs? In the following article, high school students will learn more about computer science as an industry and discover programs that build on their unique skills.
Why Should High Schoolers Learn Computer Science?
Computer science includes a broad range of topics and related subjects that make it one of the most diverse and exciting in the market today. As a result, studying it lays the foundation for many advantageous careers, especially for teenagers obsessed with technology and related topics. However, even students new to the tech world may find this subject worthwhile. Here are a few reasons why mastering computer science is such a brilliant idea for serious students:
- Diverse Uses: Computer science concepts are prevalent in just about every element of society today. Even fields like healthcare need computer scientists to research better networking and security solutions to protect patient information and other details.
- Future-Proof Market: Teenagers who are nervous about artificial intelligence impacting their work should study computer science. This market remains steadfastly future-proof; teens might even research machine learning and artificial intelligence in their courses!
- Adaptable in Other Industries: With technology shaping nearly every industry, understanding programming and computational thinking can lead to exciting career opportunities in software development, cybersecurity, robotics, and more.
- Soft Skills Development: Computer science teaches essential soft skills like problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity. Teens can use these abilities in any aspect of their lives, including in their interpersonal relationships with others.
Considerations for Choosing a Course
High school students ready to jump into a computer science class should step back, talk with their parents, and carefully research each program they find. After all, there are hundreds of courses nationwide, so there’s no need to be hasty. Instead, they should find some class listings, identify what they offer, and gauge their value. To help when selecting a computer science program, high school students must consider the following elements very carefully.
Class Difficulty and Personal Coding Experience
Some teenagers may have prior coding experience and can easily skip courses that may start with basic programming skills. However, others might walk into their program as a blank slate and need a beginner-friendly approach. Whatever their needs, classes are readily available!
Course Format
Teenagers can choose carefully from formats like self-paced classes, interactive coding platforms, and structured instructor-led courses for their training. They should also make sure their program offers recognized certificates that can enhance college and job applications.
Curriculum Focus
Computer science is a broad market covering topics like Python, Java, data science, and web development. Depending on a teen’s interest in these subjects, they must pick a class carefully. Do they want a comprehensive course that covers many things or a more fine-tuned approach?
Hands-On Projects
Teens and parents researching available courses should make sure to find those with real-world applications that reinforce learning. Coding projects, application-building exercises, and portfolio-crafting activities help students walk away more confident in their overall skills.
What High Schoolers Can Do With Computer Science
A better question for high schoolers learning computer science is, “What CAN’T you do?” when mastering this unique subject! With its almost overwhelmingly broad and expansive scope, computer science lays the foundation for tech-related careers throughout the industry in powerful and rewarding ways. In fact, even high schoolers uninterested in tech may benefit from taking a few classes to sharpen their skills. After learning computer science, students can:
- Develop games, mobile apps, and websites, especially using languages like C++, Java, HTML, JavaScript, Python, Go, and even SQL
- Create AI and machine learning models to automate tedious tasks, especially when collecting data for various jobs later in life (such as artificial intelligence careers)
- Compete in coding competitions and hackathons, which is not only a fun way to show off their skills but a powerful method for finding scholarships and other financing tools
- Research unique software and hardware solutions, including teaching at a college level (usually requires a more advanced degree, such as an MA or PhD)
High schoolers might even find themselves pulled to subjects like network security, digital marketing, web design, database management, and information technology (IT) when studying this topic. They all fall within its parameters and, honestly, are just the tip of this fascinating topic’s iceberg. With so many interesting subjects available for teenagers to study, it’s clear that computer science offers learners better career preparation and advancement opportunities.
Balancing High School and Computer Science Learning Demands
High schoolers might look at a computer science bootcamp and feel overwhelmed by the time commitment. After all, they have classes, friends, sports, and other activities filling up their schedules. How are they supposed to make time to study without burning themselves out in the process? While initially challenging, students can integrate computer science into their busy schedules using the following techniques. They can be adapted for specific learning styles.
Creating Study Periods
Teens should try setting aside dedicated study time each week. Even an hour or two after school or several hours on the weekend might be enough. They can also focus on applying coding skills to school projects, such as using machine learning to automate data collection.
Choosing Course Types Wisely
Some teens may find that using self-paced courses gives them increased flexibility, making learning easier. Others might need more structured environments, including hands-on professors, to walk them through all their lessons and reinforce their general skills.
Finding a Study Group
Teens can easily find coding clubs, forums, or communities with whom they can practice their skills. Creating a network of like-minded learners makes it easier to stay focused by generating an engaging social atmosphere. It also prepares students for hands-on work environments.
Taking Summer Courses
While signing up for summer classes might be a tough decision for many teens, it often gives them the time they need to master computer science. They’ll study up to 40 hours a week for a month or more, which can solidify their skills and help them walk away more confidently.
Jobs Available After Learning Computer Science
After completing their training, high schoolers might be ready to jump into a computer science job. Well, they might be prepared for an entry-level position but not anything too advanced. However, after completing more advanced training in college, they’ll be ready to do almost anything in this market! That’s the big thing to remember about these bootcamps: they’re great for career and training prep and can help learners get ready for jobs as diverse as:
- Software Engineer: As a Software Engineer, learners will use diverse computer science skills to develop high-quality programs. Average salaries hit around $130,000 annually.
- Web Developer: A Web Developer creates webpages and sites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other computer science skills and earns around $93,000 annually.
- Back End Developer: A career as a Back End Developer involves Python, Java, SQL, and other skills. They focus on syncing websites to databases and networks properly.
- Python Developer: As a Python Developer, teens use this popular coding language for back end development, data science, product development, and other careers.
- Computer Scientist: A Computer Scientist position focuses heavily on researching and developing new computer-based concepts, including software and hardware.
- Java Developer: Using Java (a very popular coding language), a Java Developer produces web applications and Android apps for general use and sale.
Benefits of Taking a Computer Science Bootcamp
While teens can learn computer science by using multiple class types, there’s something about the bootcamp experience that works well for teenagers. Their uniquely arranged approach fits the high school life and provides extra levels of mentorship that may help struggling teens more deeply understand this topic. In this way, computer science bootcamps for high school students stand out from other course types and can provide a myriad of unique advantages, such as:
- Structured learning with guided lessons that gradually work learners through their training and build more substantial and more impressive skill sets
- Mentorship from experienced instructors who can correct common mistakes, direct students towards better work methods, and reinforce their overall skills
- Collaborative projects that mimic real-world scenarios, which help teenagers better understand computer science on a practical and hands-on level
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals, which can quickly turn into a chance for a real-world position with transformative potential
Why Taking a Computer Science Course is Better Than Learning for Free
Teenagers trying to save themselves and their parents money might be understandably tempted to use YouTube videos, free seminars, and other low-cost bootcamp alternatives to master computer science. Unfortunately, these tools don’t offer a comprehensive enough experience. Put simply, they’re designed as supplements to a class, not a replacement. As a result, they’re good to keep around when teens get stuck during their more focused, expert-led sessions.
Paid courses provide students with benefits like accountability and motivation. After all, if they spend money on their class, they’re more likely to finish it to make their parents happy. They also complete practical projects that offer hands-on experience to build confidence, instructor feedback for more personalized guidance and better understanding, and community support through forums and peer discussions that can further enhance a student’s learning experience.
Financing Options for Computer Science Courses
Computer science classes might cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, which many teens may struggle to justify. After all, they’re either paying that money themselves or asking their parents for the cash, which is always a tricky situation. However, most schools offer high-quality financing opportunities that reduce a student’s initial expenses. These work well for people from all walks of life and can make their program more affordable. A few options to consider include:
- Scholarships: High-achieving students or those with a heavy financial need may qualify for scholarships, significantly decreasing their initial class costs.
- Financial Aid: Most schools offer short-term loans at reasonable interest and repayment rates to help teenagers pay for their initial computer science training more efficiently.
- Payment Plans: Those who don’t qualify for scholarships or who want to avoid loans may set up payment plans, typically over a few months, to pay for their courses.
- Free Trials: Some learning platforms offer short-term, free trials that let teenagers try out computer science studies to decide if it’s the right subject for their needs.
Skills High Schoolers Learn in Computer Science Courses
During their intensive computer science studies, students will master a broad range of skills to bolster their resumes and walk away more confident with their abilities. These include hard and soft skills focused heavily on computer research and development alongside web and app production. Most courses build on these techniques logically, basing each lesson on previously mastered concepts. Here are a few things teens can expect to learn in computer science.
Programming Knowledge
In their initial studies, teenagers will learn all about coding languages like Python, Java, C++, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals to build their foundation for future studies. Knowing these essential tools can help students transition into more complex and advanced topics.
Data Structures and Algorithms
After mastering basic computing concepts, students will move on to algorithms, which are essential for problem-solving. Within this topic, they’ll also learn about data structures and how these impact their programs, particularly tools like arrays, libraries, and dictionaries.
Web and Mobile Development
The diverse world of computer science also includes web and mobile development, a market that sees teens building phone applications. They’ll also study version control, including using Git and GitHub for real-time collaboration to produce high-quality and effective apps.
Cybersecurity Basics
Any job in the cybersecurity market requires extensive computer science knowledge. For example, teens interested in studying digital security should know underlying data science theories, coding languages, machine learning, and threat detection before finding a job.
How Easy Is It to Learn Computer Science?
Computer science can be challenging to master, especially for teens without a strong backing in tech-related fields. That said, beginner-friendly courses with interactive exercises and hands-on projects make it easier to grasp. High schoolers will work hands-on with their professor, work through various exercises, build new techniques, stack on previously learned concepts, and master an array of computer science skills to prepare themselves for a new, better career.
How Long Will It Take To Learn Computer Science?
The innate complexity of computer science means it will take serious learners at least one year to feel comfortable with its basic tenets. Some teens might need two years of serious study to transition into a career. Thankfully, most bootcamps offer a foundational education that makes it easier to identify areas where a student shines. Even better, their project-based approach further enhances skills to keep high schoolers on the fast track to success in their market.
Best Computer Science Courses for High Schoolers
Mastering computer science in a high-quality bootcamp will allow teenagers to expand their knowledge, prepare for exciting careers, and take on entertaining projects in many different industries. With hundreds of potential programs available for serious learners, knowing which works best can be challenging. Thankfully, the following schools and programs offer a fantastic, hands-on experience that will advance a teenager’s skills in powerful and satisfying ways.
NextGen Bootcamp
NextGen Bootcamp is a renowned training team focusing on summer tech bootcamps for teenagers. By centering on these vacation months, these courses help students quickly build their skills and prepare for college courses and even careers. Classes feature hands-on projects, 1-on-1 mentoring, high-quality curriculums, and live online sessions that make it easier for high schoolers to master computer science and feel comfortable in this rewarding field.
Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online
Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online provides comprehensive training in Python and Java, two of the most popular programming languages in the world today. Students also study computer science fundamentals alongside data science to expand their skills even further. Sessions occur entirely online, with a live professor offering feedback, encouragement, and assistance as learners complete a portfolio of high-quality computer science projects.
Java Programming Summer Program Live Online
Java Programming Summer Program Live Online is a beginner-friendly course that takes the same information from the first part of Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online and reinforces it. Students learn about object-oriented programming, talk about classes, learn more about the AP Computer Science Exam, and study online with a professor who will direct them through their lessons smoothly to build on their previously mastered lessons.
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Education was founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers to offer 1-on-1 research opportunities for students interested in expanding their careers. Learners will pair directly with a PhD mentor to learn about tech-related subjects, including computer science. Teenagers can choose individual research programs or guided classes that reinforce their knowledge using theory exercises and practical, hands-on work to bolster a teenager’s budding tech career.
Computer Science Individual Research Program
Computer Science Individual Research Program offers intensive lessons to help high schoolers master this industry quickly and efficiently. They’ll start by meeting with a mentor, choosing a topic, exploring a research question, writing a research paper with their mentor on computer science subjects, editing their results, and graduating after making adjustments for publication. This exciting approach allows motivated high schoolers to thrive in an exciting field.