Spotlight on top majors: Computer Science

Computer science is Mount Holyoke’s fastest-growing major and that doesn’t surprise department chair Valerie Barr ’77 one bit. 

“Once they take that first class and realize the relevance of computing to many fields, students want to take more,” Barr says. 

That’s because learning computer science is incredibly empowering, says Audrey St. John, who specializes in theoretical computer science. 

“When students first learn what's sitting under the hood, they find technology demystified,” she says. “Programming, the core tool that allows us to automate our solutions, can feel like magic. Type some text into a file and suddenly you’ve made a game! It's attractive to get to work on exciting applications, and there can be very immediate rewards.”     

Perhaps the best part about studying computer science at Mount Holyoke is the ease of combining it with other subjects across campus. 

“I love working with students to help them marry together multiple interests — computing and politics, data science and dance, you name it,” Barr says. “I love the opportunity to work with faculty from across the campus on how they incorporate computing into their courses.” 

“Our students never cease to amaze me with their dedication, intellectual curiosity and passion to pay it forward,” says St. John. “They are capable beyond what they imagine and incredibly grounded, often downplaying their accomplishments. It’s so rewarding to get to see students move through their tech journey, particularly when I get to witness a student transform from being a little dubious to becoming so passionate they innovate a new way of inspiring others.” 

Combine the opportunities for research with faculty and internships at places like Google, Microsoft and YouTube; throw in the Fimbel Maker & Innovation Lab and the student-founded HackHolyoke, the first hackathon to achieve gender parity — and you’ll find the opportunities are endless. 

The lucrative job market for computer science majors is one of the attractions, of course. A high percentage of graduates go on to six-figure jobs right after college, and not just at Amazon, Google or Facebook. 

“We say that every field is a tech field and our students experience that in the work world,” says Barr. “They can find jobs across a wide range of fields — health care, business, finance, beverages, sports and more. Some go on for an advanced STEM degree, drawn to a future in academia, where they can inspire the next generation.”