21st Century Computer Science Schools
By Robyn Tellefsen

Paper and pen are so 20th century, right?If that's your philosophy, computer science schools are the perfect places to learn the skills needed to pursue an ultramodern career.

Beyond Bits and Bytes
When you attend computer science schools, you acquire the training and expertise to become a computer specialist such as a database administrator or network systems and data communication analyst.

Database administrators work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize and store data. Data integrity, backup systems, and database security are other important aspects of this job.

Network systems and data communications analysts design, test, and evaluate systems such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the Internet, intranets, and other data communications systems. These professionals perform network modeling, analysis, and planning.

Demonstratable Skills
Computer science training is a wise way to start your career journey. While a certificate may be sufficient for some computer science careers, an associate or bachelor's degree is required for many others.

Once you've completed your computer science training, professional certification is a sure way to demonstrate competence and earn a career advantage. Many employers regard these certifications as the industry standard. For instance, those with computer science degrees may choose to earn certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), or Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), to name a few.

It All Adds Up
In 2008, database administrators held 120,400 jobs, network systems and data communication analysts held 339,500 jobs, and other computer specialists held 149,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment of computer specialists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as technology becomes more and more sophisticated.

Plus, computer science careers can be lucrative.In 2011, starting offers averaged $63,017 for graduates with computer science degrees at the bachelor's level, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

According to the BLS, in May 2008, median annual earnings of database administrators were $66,310, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $104,070. Median annual earnings of network systems and data communication analysts were $71,100, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $110,920.

Turn your age-old computer obsession into a profitable future profession with computer science schools.

Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific program curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.