As an aspiring Computer Scientist, there’s a relatively long road ahead to become adequately equipped for this career. It’s a discipline that’s both broad and deep, encompassing many intricate components that you need to understand in great detail.
So, there’s a lot to learn. But once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll be positioned to enter a prosperous job market with ample opportunities.
There are structured qualifications you could take and work your way through. But if university isn’t a route you want to explore, you’re likely considering independent learning.
In which case, knowing where to start can be a bit tricky.
There are many books and online courses covering Computer Science topics. But they can differ greatly, and it can be hard to know where to focus your attention. To reap the benefits this profession offers, you’ll need to be educated enough to do challenging and innovative work. Not just familiar enough that you can get by without really understanding the rhyme and reason of the entire discipline.
So, you might be asking yourself what’s the first logical step. And then which steps to take after that to make sure you know your stuff before applying for jobs.
To help, we’ve put together a list of the key things you need to focus on. So you can effectively learn Computer Science on your own and be confidently prepared for the job market. Read on for a progressive list of the skills you’ll need.
Programming
An ideal starting point is to learn programming. To do so, you’ll need to pick a couple of programming languages to work with to begin understanding programming concepts. It’s not too important which you choose to work with, as it’s more about the underlying principles. However, Phython and Java are good starting points. This is because they are widely used in the industry and provide a mixture of dynamically and statically typed languages.
The Software Stack
Once you’ve learnt to write code, you need to understand the what’s going on behind the scenes. Learning about each layer of the stack from the code all the way down to the hardware is essential. By studying the software stack, you’ll learn about hardware, compilers, linkers and operating systems plus how to create your own.
Algorithms and Data Structures
Now you know how the hardware will run your code, you have an appreciation for the limited hardware resources available. And the need to utilise them efficiently. You learn how to do this through studying algorithms and data structures. Which teaches you how to write speed and resource efficient code. By learning this you’ll position yourself as a strong programmer.
Networks
In todays world, code doesn’t often run on one isolated computer system. It typically communicates with other computers through localised networks or the internet. Therefore, you need to fully understand how computer networks work. Including the Application Layer, Transport, Network and Link Layers, Wireless and Mobile Networks, Security in Computer Networks and Multimedia Networking.
Operating Systems
You will have a good overview of operating systems from the part they play in the software stack. But it’s imperative you gain a deeper understanding of these in their own right. You need to learn about the functions they use to manage computer hardware and software. Such as the user interface, CPU management, multi-tasking, memory and peripheral management, organisation of files and directories, security and utilities.
Distributed Systems
This is where you take the step away from the nitty gritty details and start looking at the bigger picture. By studying distributed systems, you learn to build and architect scalable software systems that can withstand failures. As opposed to figuring out how to create the individual components.
You’ll be able to make mountable systems that can take on increasing requests and data with ease. All the while protecting these systems in case of machine failure. Hands on work in this subject particularly can help with your learning. So be sure to set yourself a good number of projects to practise your skills.
Machine Learning
An increasingly important component of Computer Science and one that will be immensely valuable to your future career. Machine learning has strong mathematical and statistical underpinnings. By taking a bottom-up approach to learning this subject, you’ll understand the essential concepts before you start coding. It might be a slower approach, but you need to learn to walk before you can run.
Spend time studying machine learning theory before moving onto practical projects. Then you can practice the entire machine learning workflow on real datasets. Which will help you become more intuitive to the types of models which are appropriate for different types of challenges.
Be sure to cover important topics like The Big Picture, Optimisation, Data Preprocessing, Sampling & Splitting, Supervised/Unsupervised Learning, Model Evaluation, Ensemble Learning and Business Applications.
Once confident with these, you can move onto more cutting-edge subfields like Deep Learning, Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing.
Computer Science Study Tips
Now you’ve got a list of topics to learn, you’re in a great position to get started. But there are other things you can do to increase your chances to effectively learn Computer Science on your own.
Don’t work in isolation
It’s important you find a way to work together with others in the same field. For instance, if you’re unaware you’re writing code incorrectly, you won’t know unless someone else points it out. You could consider studying in a co-working space to meet likeminded people. Or submit your work into forums and other online spaces and ask others to review it.
Get building
This would be the same advice if you were studying a degree or not. It’s vital you practice your skills by building as many solid projects as possible. Firstly, because it helps you put theory into practice and gain experience. Secondly, because you need a portfolio to show employers. Mobile apps are a good place to start as they are easy to present to others. You can also contribute to open source projects.
Get some tech experience
If you’re not currently working in a tech-related role, it’s useful to gain as much experience as you can. Obviously, this can be tricky when you are just starting your learning journey. But as you gain more knowledge and skill, you’ll have something to offer. Try to get a side job where possible to get hands-on experience. You could approach start-ups who perhaps don’t have the budget to employ seasoned professionals. Or volunteer your services for free and help out where you can. It all provides experience and references you can use to build your CV.
By following these tips, you will be well prepared to effectively learn Computer Science effectively on your own. If along the way you feel you’d benefit from the guidance and input of a structured course, we can help.
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is a leading UK distance learning provider. With many online courses to help you qualify for a new career path.
Our Computer Science focussed Access to HE Diplomas give you foundational knowledge, so you can study Computer Science at University.
Study these online, from home, around your existing work or family commitments. Allowing you to get the skills you need to become a Computer Science professional, when it suits your schedule.
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