Computer Science Education in Illinois
If you live in Illinois, computers are of an interest to you, and you're looking for new career opportunities, then a computer science degree could be the answer you're seeking. Although the city of Chicago is losing population, the rest of the state is maintaining its population of roughly 13 million. Out of those millions of people, roughly 150,000 people work in the computer science industry, of which 7,000 are computer programmers.
The average salary for those working in the computer science industry in the state of Illinois is $100,000. This salary is achieved after several years of work experience and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. In the case of those who work in information technology, they have achieved several certifications. However, that does not mean that someone with only a two-year degree cannot make a decent salary in the industry, it depends on the company and what the company needs. When it comes to computer science in Illinois, there is good news and bad news. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for computer programmers has decreased due to global competition. Many companies find it more cost-effective to hire companies from other parts of the world to provide certain computer science needs. However, the overall need for people in the computer science field is expected to increase over the next 10 years, mainly because not everything can be outsourced. So, if you're thinking that you would like to work with computers in some aspect, then this is a good time to jump into the field.
Below, you will find information regarding how to get into the computer science field including education, directions, and types of careers in the computer science industry. This is far from the exhaustive list, but it should give you an idea as to whether or not you want to pursue this path and if you choose to what to expect while you're on your journey.
Find Your Online Computer Science Program
As with many industries, there are several levels of education a person can achieve. Although it’s possible to achieve some success without any formal education, attaining a degree can only help you succeed. The more education you have, the further you can expect your career to go. Below are examples of degree levels a person can achieve, the courses they might expect to take, and how long each program takes to complete.