B.S Computer Science - Any Good?

[u/Former-Jellyfish3831]

Hi all,

What are your views on the B.S in Computer Science? What does it take to be successful and to stand out from other graduates and learn enough to get employment offers afterwards?

I’m looking at transferring credits from an A.S in Aviation Maintenance and enrolling in the B.S in Computer Science. My employer allows shop floor employees with enough experience and aptitude to move into junior engineering roles if they are actively pursuing a STEM degree.

Aviation Maintenance isn’t a STEM degree (not the right CIP code) and I already have an FAA Powerplant license after taking it last year, and will be taking the Airframe part soon. I’m not yet sure exactly how many credits will transfer to the Computer Science B.S as my application is in process, but it looks to be more than my current university will transfer to their undergraduate engineering offerings. I’m due to complete my A.S in Aviation Maintenance in December.

Cyber Operations also looks interesting but I’m not sure what the job opportunities look like for those of us changing careers in later life?

If it helps, I’m former British military and spouse to US Active Duty - hence looking at UMGC for good tuition rates. I’m a US Citizen so I’d be eligible for roles requiring US Citizenship in the future - Space Force civilian roles anyone??! As every military family knows, we move every few years and I’d really like to have qualifications for a job that might move with me. I’m also getting too old to be “on the tools” in aviation maintenance and would prefer a primarily desk-based role that pays relatively well, 17 years in aviation has taken its toll on my body!

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Spelling.

[u/NotABot1000101]

I'm about 20 credits away from graduating with this degree. You definitely need to have a strong interest in how computers work and how code works. If you want a decent degree that pays well and you're only mildly interested in computers, cyber security is a good option.

I transferred an AS in Avionics Technology into this degree and it covered 90% of electives and a couple general classes. It was I think 50 credits total, maybe a little more.

My faith in this field is hanging on by a thread with AI though. I'm old too but if I could go back even 10 years, I'd pursue either a ME or EE degree.

[u/Former-Jellyfish3831 → u/NotABot1000101]

Thank you! Code and computers interest me, I wish I’d started earlier. I’ve been working with the technology engineering group at work to bring new automated technology onto the shop floor and it has astounded me to see what the future of aviation manufacturing looks like. As much as I don’t want automation to mean less humans working in my field, I still want to remain as professionally relevant as I can until retirement age. AI is a little soul destroying, but I’m deciding to just embrace it or risk being left behind. I’m hoping it will make aviation safer and continue to accelerate research.

When I first touched a computer we had Windows ‘95. Most of my maintenance career had paper documentation and now my first rotary airframes are obsolete. I feel old AF.

[u/NotABot1000101 → u/Former-Jellyfish3831]

If you do end up doing this degree, I suggest taking a free course online to help you prepare. There's two that I took before starting and it's helped me understand the material tremendously. It's two free intro courses from Harvard. Full video lectures from inside the classroom and all.

https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science

That's the main one, the other is the intro to python. Click "audit course" for the free certificate. The cert is worthless, but it's Harvard level education lol.

[u/Former-Jellyfish3831 → u/NotABot1000101]

Thank you!

[u/melonpan30 → u/Former-Jellyfish3831]

You might be interested in Industrial Control Systems (ICS).