Joe Hilton

Job: Software Developer at Cat Squared in Conway

Age: 23

Hometown: Johnston City, IL

Degree(s): University of Central Arkansas — BA in Computer Science

How did you decide on computer science?

I decided to go into computer science after visiting the campus at UCA. During my senior year of high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to get a degree in. While at UCA I was won over by the faculty in the computer science department and decided to try it out.

What was your training/schooling like?

My schooling was very enjoyable and hard. I always had large projects in all of my computer science classes that sometimes spanned the entire semester. Some of my best memories of learning at UCA were hours spent with other students hashing out difficult problems in a computer lab.

What is your job like?

My job is a lot like how school was. I am surrounded by people who know more than me and encourage me to constantly take on larger challenges while giving a guiding hand. The big difference is that I feel like I am actually contributing to something I care about.

What would people be surprised most to learn about your field?

The most surprising thing is the amount of interaction I have with others. It may seem against the stereotype of programmers, but a lot of our time is actually spent speaking with clients and coworkers about projects. We do not sit in a cubicle all day and hammer away at a computer. I don’t even have cubicle. I sit in a room with four desks and members of my team.

Why should students consider this field?

Computer science is an amazing field to get into. You will always face new challenges and have more to learn. As quick as you feel you have mastered a skill, another skillset entirely will be required. It prevents the monotony that is so unbearable in other jobs I have had.

What do you love most about your job?

Anyone who programs can tell you that the best feeling in the world is having a difficult challenge, overcoming it, and looking at something you wrote work flawlessly.

Jobs in Computer Science

Computer scientists use technology to solve problems. They write software to make computers do new things or accomplish tasks more efficiently. They create applications for mobile devices, develop websites, and program software. And you can find them everywhere, from big tech firms and government agencies to startups and nonprofits.

Plus, computer science students have great job prospects coming out of college. A survey published by Looksharp found that 61 percent of computer science students had full-time jobs after graduation, and 31 percent had full-time job offers before graduation.

The major: Computer Science

The job: Software Developer, Computer Programmer, Computer Network Architects

The paycheck: The median annual wage for software developers was $100,690 in May 2015.

See more at Where The Jobs Are (And Who Pays the Most) in Arkansas