If you’ve been studying computer programming then you may want to enhance your career and move to the next level by finding a program that will offer you a scholarship in 2020. There are lots of different scholarships that you can apply for and in this article, Lauren Bradshaw, a professional essay writer from Advanced Writers will take a look at what we think are the top 10 computer programming scholarships for students and also outline what computer programming is for those of you who are interested in learning more.
Top-Rated Scholarships for Computer Science Students
- Microsoft Undergraduate Scholarships. A four-year bachelor’s program at an institution in Computer Science and related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) disciplines. Link for application: https://microsoft.recsolu.com/external/requisitions/2_WCQA60-9FD5UsVQBF3vw
- AISES Intel Scholarship Fund. In partner with Intel, this scholarship is for students of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Alaskan Native heritage. Link for application: http://www.aises.org/scholarships
- Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships. These scholarships are for African high-school students and each scholarship is worth $5000. Link for application: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/blacks-scholarships.aspx
- Google Africa Scholarship Program. This scholarship is for African students and needs to be taken in the United States of America. Link for application: https://www.udacity.com/google-africa-scholarships
- ESA Foundation Scholarships. This scholarship needs to be taken in the United States of America and is worth $3000. Link for application:https://aim.applyists.net/esaf.
- Web Warrior Scholarship Contest. This Scholarship is worth $ 1,000 each for tuition costs and needs to be taken in the United States of America. Link for application: http://www.course.com/webwarrior/rules.cfm
- Joseph James Morelli Scholarship. This scholarship is for High school graduates in the country where it is to be taken. Link for application: http://parkcitycf.org/morelli/
- Judy Shankle Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is to be taken in the United States of America and is worth $500 annually. Link for application: http://ruraltechfund.org/rtf-scholarships/
- Electronic Document Systems Foundation Scholarships. The scholarship award amounts range from $1000 to $5000. Link for application: http://www.edsf.org/what_we_do/scholarships/index.html
- The New Target Internet Scholarship. These scholarships are available to undergraduate African-American students who are currently enrolled at one of the UNCF member colleges or universities. The scholarship award amounts range from $1000 to $5000. Link for application: http://www.newtarget.com/scholarship-fund-alexandria
Computer programming explained
Computer programming refers to the way in which we provide computers with instructions about what we need them to do next. The instructions that we provide computers are more commonly known as ‘ code.’ The job of a computer programmer is to write code in order to perform a task or solve a problem. The overall purpose is to create something such as a piece of software, a picture, or something related to a webpage. As the end purpose can vary so much, computer programming is often seen as a mix of science and art as it’s not just technical, it’s analytical and creative too.
The different computer programming languages
It’s not so easy to decide which computer programming language to learn and it really depends on what you hope to achieve at the end or what issue you hope to resolve. Below we will list some of the most common computer languages that are used:
- JavaScript
- C++
- CSS
- Python
- HTML
- Ruby
- PHP
- SQL
Some of these languages are more desirable than others to learn and are also easier to learn. However, this doesn’t mean that any of these languages are any less useful than another and in fact, it’s better to know as many of these languages as possible in order to help your career.
Why you should study computer programming
If you feel unsure about finding a job in these uncertain times then a career in a technical role is a good choice to consider. Quite often, we view those who work as computer programmers as geeky males and see them as being socially awkward people who like to stay at home playing computer games alone. The good news is this stereotype is now changing and coding is now being used in all kinds of job roles.
Benefits of choosing a career as a computer programmer
Below we will highlight additional benefits of becoming a computer programmer.
- A good salary. If you have a college degree then you will expect to receive a good salary, however, you don’t necessarily need a degree to learn to program. Use books and sites to help you complete a course if you don’t have a degree and not in a position to complete a degree course.
- Problem-solving. If you learn to code then you will become better at problem-solving. You will know how to look at a big problem and break it down into manageable chunks. This then teaches you how to work on these smaller aspects until you have completed all the aspects. As a matter of fact, problem-solving skills in programming that you will learn will also help you in everyday life.
- Creativity. If you can write computer software then you can unleash your creativity as there are lots of things that you can make. You can make things easier and faster for others, solve problems, and also automate manual tasks.
- Remote working. As we use networks when working on computers you will be able to work remotely and not have to be in a specific location.
- Opportunities. It’s hard to find good computer programmers and therefore good programmers can demand good salaries and benefits. As technology continues to change and advance, the opportunities for computer programmers are always on the increase. Therefore, as a computer programmer, you can use these opportunities to enhance your career and get you to the next level.
Improving the skill set. If you already work in a technical role and decide to learn to code, you can add to your current skill set. This will then help when it comes to progressing in your career or even changing your career path altogether.