Edition: March 22, 2022
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
- Excerpts from article by Melissa Sartore, published on zdnet.com
It may seem like coding skills are essential to find a computer science job, but that’s not true. In fact, non-coding computer science positions play a crucial role in the growth of the technology industry.
Computer science jobs without coding support their coding-centric counterparts, enriching the field.
If you can’t program, don’t like it, or are in the process of learning, computer science jobs are still within your reach. Many of these positions exist in areas like technical writing, research analysis, and project management.
Here are 11 computer science jobs that don’t require coding:
1. Computer Support Specialist
Alternate job titles: Technical support specialist, help-desk technician, computer user support specialist
Education required: Undergraduate degree
Experience required: Computer knowledge and troubleshooting
- Computer support specialists answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and assist computer users and organisations.
- They may test existing computer networks, perform maintenance, and recover data.
- They also set up new software and hardware, train users, and suggest updates and upgrades.
- Many computer support specialists offer remote assistance, too.
- Computer network support specialists may work on-site in organisations and companies.
2. Market Research Analyst
Alternate job titles: Consumer research analyst, survey researchers, market trend analyst
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: Varies by position
- Market research analysts collect and assess data on supply, demand, and pricing of goods and services.
- They develop analytical processes, conduct surveys and polls, and monitor the market for trends and changes.
- Software is used to analyse and interpret data, transitioning findings to reports, graphs, and tables for clients.
- Market research analysts work independently or as part of a team, identifying and forecasting market trends and behaviours to optimise profits.
3. Network Support Specialist
Alternate job titles: Technical support specialist, network help-desk technician, network and computer systems support specialist
Education required: Undergraduate degree
Experience required: Knowledge of computers and computer networks
- Network support specialists perform routine maintenance, monitor networks, troubleshoot problems, and provide aid to network users.
- These professionals may specialise in local area networks, wide area networks, internet systems, or all three.
- They may work onsite or remotely.
4. Project Manager
Alternate job titles: Project coordinator, team leader, project leader
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: Project management
- Project managers develop budgets, establish timelines, and supervise team members while overseeing projects from start to finish.
- They enact strategies based on project goals and direct personnel and resources.
- They also address challenges and deliver reports to other managers and supervisors.
5. Quality Assurance Analyst
Alternate job titles: Computer systems quality assurance analyst, manufacturing quality assurance analyst, software quality assurance analyst
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: One to two years in the field
- Quality assurance analysts do not write code, but knowledge of programming languages is an important component of their work.
- Depending on their specialties, quality assurance analysts may be familiar with languages such as Java, Python, and Ruby.
- Quality assurance analysts make sure software is working properly.
- They develop and test scenarios for new software, identify and mitigate risks, and document issues.
- They work closely with computer programmers to ensure effective, efficient, and secure coding.
6. Recruitment Specialist
Alternate job titles: Recruitment consultant, human resources specialist, organisational recruiter
Education required: Undergraduate degree
Experience required: One year or less
- Recruitment specialists identify and contact job candidates who fit organisational needs and goals.
- They answer questions and provide job descriptions, compensation information, and contact details.
- They need widespread organisational and field-specific knowledge.
- Some recruitment specialists may conduct initial interviews and screenings in person or on the phone.
7. SEO Specialist
Alternate job titles: Keyword specialist, search marketing specialist, SEO analyst
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: Search engine optimisation
- SEO specialists develop and implement search engine optimisation strategies for an organisation.
- They identify and ensure the use of relevant keywords and tags across search platforms.
- SEO specialists may focus on image, video, or academic searches.
- They identify ways to improve visibility online and implement changes.
- SEO specialists may not code, but they should be familiar with HTML and CSS.
8. Systems Administrator
Alternate job titles: Network administrator, computer system administrator, computer system support administrator
Education required: Undergraduate degree
Experience required: One year or less in systems administration
- Systems administrators oversee the computer functions and needs of organisations.
- They install hardware and software, perform updates and upgrades, optimise performance, and mitigate problems.
- Systems administrators may work with or carry out some of the duties of computer support specialists.
- Programming knowledge can be useful to these professionals.
9. Technical Writer
Alternate job titles: Technical communication specialists, technical communicators, technical document specialist
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: One year or less in the field
- Technical writers transform technical information into instruction manuals, user guides, and other documentation.
- Some technical writers may write grants and research proposals, too.
- They identify essential information, make it accessible to the intended audience, write and revise content, and integrate visuals.
- Technical writers develop documents in multiple media formats.
10. Tech Journalist
Alternate job titles: Digital media tech journalist
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Experience required: One year or less in digital media communication
- Tech journalists write about the technology industry for newspapers, magazines, television, and websites.
- They identify new and exciting trends in technology and write about them for general audiences.
- Some tech journalists review products.
- Technical journalists may also write about the technology industry’s economic, political, and social aspects.
11. UX/UI Designer
Alternate job titles: Interaction designer, product designer, visual designer
Education required: Coursework or undergraduate degree
Experience required: One year or less in the field
- User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers focus on human-technology interaction.
- A UX designer researches customers’ needs and preferences, then changes existing products or develops new ones.
- A UI designer focuses on the appearance of the websites/apps to ensure efficient, effective communication between the user and the digital platform.
- Both UX and UI designers may complete UX bootcamps.
- In either role, you’ll benefit from familiarity with programming languages like HTML and CSS.
The best computer science jobs aren’t always the ones that require coding.
Coding may not be a skill you’ve learned or something you enjoy, but this need not keep you from pursuing a computer science-based career.
You’ll find companies seeking candidates for these roles on popular job search sites, such as Dice and LinkedIn Jobs.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Education & Career Trends: FOMO gives way to JOMO — The Joy of Missing Out!
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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