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We've all been there: sitting at your desk with an urgent deadline and a wandering mind. Despite your best efforts, things are not progressing. You need to focus on the task in front of you. You're motivated to do it. But you just can't concentrate.

The inability to concentrate on the task at hand is one of the maladies of our time--everyone wants to know how to focus better, how to concentrate. Yet, the benefits of improving concentration and focus make it an issue worth addressing.

Here are common factors that impact, and 15 ways to improve, focus and concentration.

What is concentration?

In Will Power & Self Discipline, Remez Sasson wrote that concentration is the ability to direct one's attention following one's will. Concentration means control of attention. It is the ability to focus the mind on one subject, object, or thought, and at the same time exclude from the mind every other unrelated thought, ideas, feelings, and sensations.

That last part is the tricky part for most of us. To concentrate is to exclude, or not pay attention to, every other unrelated thought, idea, feeling, or sensation. To not pay attention to the numbers, beeps, and other indicators that we have a new message, a new update, a new "like," a new follower!

Our daily routine is dominated by switching in and out of our mobile phones and computer. We get a constant influx of messages from WhatsApp, email, Telegram, and the half-dozen other apps that are somehow critical to our job. We constantly search for information to help solve our daily problems or get our work done.

Frequent distractions affect productivity. It takes longer to finish a task. We don't listen as well. We don't comprehend things as well, whether with our partner or with colleagues, and end up in misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and conflict. It affects memory. We forget things or can't recall information promptly which affects our personal life and professional image.

Why can't I focus?

This is a common question for many. If you find yourself trying to multitask too often or struggling to complete even the smallest of tasks, you've likely asked yourself this question. And often, the answer can be found in your daily activities and some areas you can control. These can include:

These are just a few examples of reasons you may not be able to concentrate. And they largely fall under five primary categories or factors.

5 common factors of poor focus and concentration

These are five common habits and factors that can impact your ability to focus:

1. Distraction

2. Insufficient sleep

3. Insufficient physical activity

4. Poor eating habits

5. Environmental factors

1. Distraction

We are bombarded by a constant flow of information, whether new or old, during the process of doing something. Researchers have found that our brains are so primed for this distraction that just seeing our smartphone impairs our ability to concentrate. We constantly assess whether the information is useful, sufficient, or meaningless. The sheer quantity coming in muddles our assessment of whether we actually need more information to make decisions.

Insufficient sleep

Scientists have found that lack of sleep can lead to lower alertness, slower thought processes, and reduced concentration. You will have more difficulty focusing your attention and may become confused. As a result, your ability to perform tasks especially relating to reasoning or logic can be seriously affected. Chronically poor sleep further affects your concentration and memory. Dr. Allison T. Siebern from the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Centre notes that if you cannot concentrate on what is at hand, it is unlikely to make it to either your short- or long-term memory.

3. Insufficient physical activity

Have you ever noticed how vigorous exercise leaves you feeling more relaxed and energetic throughout the day? When you don't do physical activity, your muscles can become tense. You may feel tightness in your neck, shoulder, and chest and such persistent, low-level discomfort can affect your concentration.

4. Poor eating habits

What we eat contributes to how we feel, including our mental sharpness and clarity, throughout the day. If we don't fuel our brains with the proper nutrients, we start to experience symptoms like memory loss, fatigue, and lack of concentration. Low-fat diets can ruin focus because the brain needs certain essential fatty acids. Other restrictive diets may negatively affect concentration by not providing the nutrients the brain needs or by creating hunger, cravings, or feeling of unwellness in the body that are themselves distracting.

5. Environmental factors

Depending on what you are doing, the environment can affect your focus. Obviously, a noise level that is too loud is a problem, but many people also have difficulty concentrating when it is too quiet. It isn't just the overall noise level but the type of noise that matters: the high-energy, anonymous hum of a coffee shop might bring focus while the overheard conversation of two co-workers derails it. A favorite song quickly has you singing along, happily distracted, while less distinct instrumentals might keep you attuned to the task. Lighting that is too bright or too dim can affect your vision. A room that is too hot or too cold creates discomfort.

All of these elements can affect your concentration. Happily, they are also all addressable.

Conditions related to concentration

If you frequently can't focus your thoughts and are experiencing ongoing concentration difficulties, it may indicate a cognitive, medical, psychological, lifestyle, or environmental cause. Depending on the cause, you may have to temporarily accept that your concentration is low and learn a few tricks to reduce the impact or accept the dips as they come. If you need help with concentration and think your difficulties go beyond the list above, consult with a professional.

Possible broader conditions include:

Cognitive. Your concentration may decrease if you find yourself forgetting things easily. Your memory sometimes fails you, you misplace articles, and have difficulty remembering things that occurred a short time ago. Another way your concentration may be cognitively impaired is if you find that your mind is overactive, constantly thinking of multiple things due to concerns or important events. When thoughts and issues intrude into your mind, demanding attention, it prevents effective concentration.

Psychological. When you are depressed and feeling down, it is difficult to focus. Similarly, when you are recovering from the loss of a loved one during bereavement or are experiencing anxiety, you may have difficulty focusing on a single task.

Medical. Medical conditions like diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and low red blood cell count can affect our concentration. Some medication also makes you drowsy or bleary and severely impair concentration.

Environmental. Poor working conditions, shared spaces, and intense or negative work dynamics may also contribute to a lack of concentration. When we are experiencing burnout or stress from work or personal life, we will find it difficult to concentrate due to emotional exhaustion. Similarly, the environment can create discomfort to our body with effects that we're aware of (heat, light, noise) and others that don't fully register (tension, negativity, monitoring).

Lifestyle. Fatigue, hunger, and dehydration can derail concentration. Lifestyles that involve too many missed meals, rich foods, or excessive alcohol consumption can challenge our memory and ability to concentrate and focus.

15 Ways to improve your concentration

Now you know why you need help with concentration. What can help you to focus better? There's no one answer for how to improve focus, but the following tips can help.

1. Eliminate distractions. How do we focus better if we are always bombarded with information? Make a practice blocking time in your schedule to do a specific task or activity. During this time, request that you be left alone or go to a place where others are unlikely to disturb you: a library, a coffee shop, a private room.

Close social media and other apps, silence notifications, and k eep your phone hidden from sight in a bag or backpack. As described in HBR, researchers found that cognitive capacity was significantly better when the phone was out of sight, not just turned off. Keep Your primary focus is to complete what you need to do. Shutting off both internal and external disturbances can help you to concentrate.

2. Reduce multitasking. Attempting to perform multiple activities at the same time makes us feel productive. It's also a recipe for lower focus, poor concentration, and lower productivity. And lower productivity can lead to burnout. Examples of multitasking include listening to a podcast while responding to an email or talking to someone over the phone while writing your report. Such multitasking not only hampers your ability to focus but compromises your work quality.

3. Practice mindfulness and meditation. Meditating or practicing mindfulness activities can strengthen well-being and mental fitness and improve focus. During the meditation process, our brain becomes calmer and our whole body becomes more relaxed. We focus on our breath during the process so that we will not be distracted by our minds. With practice, we can learn to use our breath to bring our attention back to a particular task so that it can be done well even if we get interrupted.

4. Get more sleep. Many factors affect your sleep. One of the most common is reading from an electronic device like a computer, phone, or tablet or watching your favorite movie or TV show on an LED TV just before bedtime. Research has shown that such devices emit light towards the blue end of the spectrum. Such light will stimulate your eye retina and prevent the secretion of melatonin that promotes sleep anticipation in the brain. Use a filter or "blue light" glasses to minimize such blue light or avoid all electronic devices before bed. Other ways to improve sleep include avoiding exercise late in the day, staying hydrated throughout the day, using journaling or breathing exercises to quiet the mind, and creating a predictable bedtime routine and schedule.

5. Choose to focus on the moment. It might feel counterintuitive when you feel unable to concentrate, but remember that you choose where you focus. It's tough to concentrate when your mind is always in the past and worrying about the future. While it isn't easy, make an effort to let go of past events. Acknowledge the impact, what you felt, and what you learned from it, then let it go. Similarly, acknowledge your concerns about the future, consider how you are experiencing that anxiety in your body, then choose to let it go. We want to train our mental resources to focus on the details of what matters at the moment. Our minds go in the direction we choose to focus.

6. Take a short break. This also might seem counterintuitive, but when you focus on something for a long time, your focus may begin to die down. You may feel more and more difficulty devoting your attention to the task.

Researchers have found that our brains tend to ignore sources of constant stimulation. Taking very small breaks by refocusing your attention elsewhere can dramatically improve mental concentration after that. The next time you are working on a project, take a break when you begin to feel stuck. Move around, talk to someone, or even switch to a different type of task. You will come back with a more focused mind to keep your performance high.

7. Connect with nature. Research has found that even having plants in office spaces can help increase concentration and productivity, as well as workplace satisfaction and better air quality. Finding time to take a walk in the park or appreciating the plants or flowers in your garden can boost your concentration and help you feel refreshed.

8. Train your brain. Scientific research is starting to amass evidence on the ability of brain training activities to enhance cognitive abilities, including concentration, in adults. Such brain training games for concentration can also help you develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills. Examples of such games include jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, chess, and brain-stimulating video games.

9. Exercise. Start your day with simple exercise and get your body moving. According to the May 2013 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch, regular exercise releases chemicals key for memory, concentration, and mental sharpness. Other research found that exercise can boost the brain's dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels and all these will affect focus and attention. Individuals who do some form of exercise or sports perform better on cognitive tasks when compared with those who have poor physical health. Physical movement helps relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.

10. Listen to music. Music has been shown to have therapeutic effects on our brains. Light music may help you to concentrate better, but some music may distract you. Experts generally agree that classical music and nature sounds, such as water flowing, are good choices for concentration while music with lyrics and human voices may be distracting. Multiple apps and services offer background music and soundscapes designed for different types of focus and work needs.

11. Eat well. Choose foods that moderate blood sugar, maintain energy, and fuel the brain. Fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods can keep your blood sugar levels even. Reduce sugary foods and drinks that cause spikes and dips in your sugar levels make you feel dizzy or drowsy.

Your brain needs lots of good fat to function properly. Nuts, berries, avocados, and coconut oil are all great ways to get healthy fats into your diet and help your brain run more smoothly. Research has found that foods like blueberries can boost concentration and memory for up to 5 hours after consumption due to an enzyme that stimulates the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain, helping with memory as well as our ability to focus and learn new information. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach contain potassium which accelerates the connections between neurons and can make our brain more responsive.

12. Set a daily priority. Write down what you want to accomplish each day, ideally the night before, and identify a single priority that you commit to accomplishing. This will help focus your brain on what matters, tackling the big jobs first and leaving the small stuff till later. Break large tasks into smaller bytes so that you will not be overwhelmed. Identifying true priorities can help relieve distracting anxiety, and achieving small daily goals can wire your brain to achieve success.

13. Create space for work. Create a calm dedicated space for work, if possible. Not everyone can have a well-appointed office, but desk organizers, noise-canceling headphones, an adjustable monitor, and adjustable lighting can help. Clear clutter out of sight, make it as ergonomic and comfortable as possible, and try to keep your space neat and ventilated.

14. Use a timer. Train your brain to hyper-focus on a task by using a timer or phone alarm. First, decide what task you want to complete. Set your timer for 20 minutes (generally not more than 30 minutes) and concentrate on the task. When the alarm rings take a short break for 5 minutes. You can either take a walk and do some stretching exercise, then reset the timer and start again. This technique has shown to be effective to improve your concentration.

15. Switch tasks. While we may want to concentrate on a particular task, sometimes we get stuck and our brain needs something fresh to focus on. Try switching to other tasks or something you love to do. Switching tasks can help you stay alert and productive for a longer period.

Improving focus and concentration takes time

Learning how to improve focus and concentration is not something you can achieve overnight. Professional athletes like golfers, sprinters, gymnasts take plenty of time to practice (and usually have a coach) so that they can concentrate and get the right move at the right moment to achieve excellence.

The first step to strengthen your concentration is to recognize how it is affecting your life. If you are struggling to meet commitments, constantly sidetracked by the unimportant, or not moving toward your aspirations, it is time to get help with concentration so that you can focus on what matters most to you.

Learning how to concentrate at work is essential for succeeding in your career and life. By improving your concentration, you will find that you can accomplish more of what you value and feel better doing it. It's not just about accomplishing tasks but about making time for joy and happiness so that you can achieve a meaningful and satisfying life.

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How to Improve Your Focus and Concentration Skills: 15 Tips

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Knowing how to improve your focus and concentration are key to excelling in all walks of life. Learn how to improve them and the factors that may affect them.

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Turn friend connections into influential ones

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Turn friend connections into influential ones

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Early in my career while working in Washington, DC, it seemed like every day, I'd receive an invite to an event, panel discussion, or happy hour. Unfortunately, the thought of attending all (or any) of these events made me cringe.

I've always been a pretty strong introvert, and networking can be painful for me. I'd attend an event only to find myself leaning against the wall and scrolling through my phone; anything to avoid talking to people.

For months, I avoided networking altogether. But that summer, I saw examples of how networking was paying off for my peers:

My roommate found a new job through a mutual friend.

My mentor had one of his friends write a $5,000 corporate check to sponsor a new program to bring business opportunities and jobs to an emerging neighborhood.

A coworker used her contacts in media and PR to run a campaign that got millions of impressions for our nonprofit.

Whatever I felt about networking, people around me were using their networks and reaping the rewards. And so I decided to figure out a way to grow my network in a way that was true to my personality.

With a lot of research and some uncomfortable experimentation, I developed a system that works for me. Here's what I figured out:

Most events aren't worth your time

Over the course of eight months, I read nearly 20 books on networking. As I tested the more traditional advice of attending events and bringing lots of business cards, I found that it wasn't always how I could benefit from networking with many of the people I was meeting, or how I could be a professional resource to them, as well. As a result, the people I met at events rarely turned into long-term connections.

There's a couple reasons why I think that's the case:

People at events are excited and distracted.

At events, there are a dozen other things to pay attention to besides you. With people walking past, new faces entering the room, and the excitement of the program, most of the people you meet will be distracted. Much better to meet someone in a relaxed setting where you can get to know one another.

The quality of your relationships outweighs quantity.

Events are all about how many people you can meet. Encounters rarely go deeper than small talk and exchanging business cards. You can try following up after the event if things go well, but when I tested this approach it yielded lackluster results.

Of all the supportive, long-term relationships I have in my network, not one of them came from meeting someone at an event.

You want deep relationships where people remember you, look to you for help, and help you when you need it. Events aren't always the best place to begin these relationships.

If you have to attend an event like an annual meeting or a big conference, focus on the ways you can provide value to your new connections. In your conversations, you should try to listen and ask questions 80% of the time and only talk about yourself 20% of the time. Always focus on the other person.

Even if you meet someone more experienced than you, you can still provide value by asking what they're working on, offering to volunteer, giving your feedback on a project, offering to write a testimonial, or following up on how the project is going in a few weeks' time.

In general, these in-depth conversations about programs are difficult to have at an event. More likely, you'll need to find another time to grow your network in a more relaxed and focused way.

If you don't go to events, where do you meet people?

I've found there are two main ways to meet interesting people and develop strong professional relationships.

Method #1: Project-based networking

The first way is to have an interesting project you're working on and ask for help on a specific problem. You can approach your friends, colleagues, and mentors to tell them about the problem. Ask them to point you in the right direction with something along the lines of, "Do you know anyone who might be able to help me with this?"

Once you've got recommendations, you can reach out via email. Here's the outreach template that I use:

"Hi [First Name],

[Referrer's Name] recommended we get in touch. I'm currently working on [project title], with a lot of great [benefits of your project]. It's still in the early phases and I'd love to get your input since you know so much about [their expertise/industry].

In the past, I've worked on [previous past accomplishment]. My work has been featured/awarded in [name any awards/press/conferences/recognition you've gotten - to show that you're legitimate and not just another person asking for their time].

I'm writing to see if you'd be willing to answer a few questions I have about [specific problem]. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes, and it would help me out a ton. Can we schedule a 20 minute meeting when you have some availability? I'd be happy to come to you if that makes things easier.

Hope to hear from you soon,

[Your name]"

As you can see from the template, a good email is short, establishes your credibility, mentions a connection you have, and has a specific ask at the end. It shouldn't take more than two minutes for the recipient to read the email. In addition to my template, Idealist has 13 helpful email templates you can use while job searching.

The benefit of what I call "project-based networking" is that you won't have to come up with icebreakers or conversation topics when you meet the person. You have a clear topic at hand; working on the project or problem. You also have a built-in reason to follow up with the contact, letting her know how the project is going and how her advice helped. Follow-up like this is key to building a strong network.

The hard part about this approach is you have to have a project worth talking about, and it shouldn't be something personal. If you don't have an interesting project at work, you can start your own project on the side to give you some networking fodder.

The key to this approach is the ongoing follow-up. When you receive advice, let the person know you used the advice and how it went. It can result in making your coaches and new connections feel valued and invested in the project.

Method #2: Meet people by volunteering

The second way I've found to build my network is to volunteer to work on a committee, event, or project.

Event organizers and industry associations are always looking for volunteers to help with committees and events. This can be great ways to show off your expertise and work ethic while working on a team with more seasoned professionals.

I personally know people organizing events right now at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Red Cross, and the International Economic Development Council.

Depending on your expertise you might try contacting United Way, the American Cancer Society, or your local nonprofit housing association.

There are also numerous academic and trade associations spanning from the American Marketing Association to the African Studies Association that would likely welcome help with their events and programs. Just find an organization in your niche or that fits your interests and see if they need help!

By volunteering for an event, meeting, or committee, you'll get access to event attendees as well as the speakers. In this way, you get to interact with experts and key professionals. When you help out, introduce yourself to everyone and work hard to make a distinctive contribution. There's no special trick to this method, just consistent effort. When you volunteer to help organize a conference or sit on committees, you have the opportunity to show other successful people that you're good at what you do. They will remember you for that.

When I started implementing these systems, my network grew in quality relationships. I soon became more invested in these relationships, and began offering testimonials for programs, serving as a reference for a job application, and helping others create LinkedIn accounts. Although I was meeting fewer people, I found that over time the people I did meet offered me mentorship, access to their own networks, and even job opportunities.

Did you enjoy this post? There's plenty more where this came from! Subscribe here for updates.
About the Author | Bennett Garner runs Comfortable Conversation where he writes about how to land a new job, talk to anyone, and build a career you love. For Idealist readers, Bennett is offering free access to his insider's toolkit, which includes a Networking Checklist with step-by-step instructions to implement the tactics in this post.

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Network to a New Job: How to Meet Influential People

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Early in my career while working in Washington, DC, it seemed like every day, I'd receive an invite to an event, panel discussion, or happy hour. Unfortunately, the thought of attending all (or any) of these events made me cringe. I've always been a pretty strong introvert, and networking can be painful for me.

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It's great to have fun in the workplace. Whether you're discussing baseball with your colleagues or shooting the breeze over lunch, fun times can make going into work a pleasure.

However, you also need to be productive at work. After all, employers hire you to work, not to have lunch.

Now, some fun is productive - you could learn valuable information about your job in a conversation that starts with your love of Bono and U2, for example. It's also important to get along well with your colleagues.

But if your managers see you talking to people too much while you're supposed to be working, or heading out to happy hour before the workday is done, they may see you as not productive enough.

You need to balance productivity and fun to be seen as a good employee. Here's some tips on how to do that.

1. Put work first

It can be tempting to put work-related fun first. Don't do that. Prioritize work while you're at work

Remember an employer pays to have work performed. Get your assignments done before stopping by someone's desk to chat. And when you do stop by someone's desk to chat, don't stay there 30 minutes or more. Make it short and sweet. Make sure your supervisor sees you working diligently, not goofing off.

2. Don't use company email for personal chats

If you're thinking of using company email to share jokes, funny GIFs, or awesome videos...don't. Don't use it to share personal information, either.

The company's email belongs to the company, and it's for company business. If you use it for personal fun, you might be viewed as unproductive. You could even be viewed as unprofessional.

Many employers also keep an eye on what's being said and shared on their email system because of security concerns. Don't think what you're sharing will only be seen by the person you've sent the email to.

There's one exception to this rule. In some companies, it's part of the culture to send around jokes and everyone participates. Don't assume, though, that's part of the company culture where you are unless you see people doing it regularly.

3. Have fun during lunch or after work

Have fun when appropriate! In many companies, groups of people go to lunch regularly or head out for happy hours after work. It's totally acceptable to participate and have fun here, because company productivity is not affected.

Participating in out-of-work gatherings with colleagues can not only be fun, it can positively benefit your job. You get to know people, become part of the group, and enlarge your network.

While it's important to have fun on the job, it's even more important to be productive. Balance your work-fun quotient with these 3 tips.

For more information on how we can help you with your staffing needs, contact Nesco Resource today!

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Nesco Resource is a national firm offering services in staffing, direct hire, and a host of other staffing and recruiting solutions. Through its branch office network, Nesco Resource offers clients and employees services ranging from Temporary Staffing, Permanent Placement, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Onsite Management Services and more.

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Every year, thousands of fresh college graduates grapple with a simple yet hugely important question, " What's next?" If you're seriously considering earning a Computer Science degree, you're probably hoping to have an idea of the answer to that question before diving in.

The good news is that jobs in the computer and information technology industry are projected to grow much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ¹ As new devices come on the market and technology continues to evolve, companies across the globe are looking to hire graduates with a strong understanding of computer science.

If you're curious about the entry-level computer science jobs that could be waiting for you after graduation, read on for a brief introduction to eight exciting options.

8 of the best computer science jobs for recent grads

One positive aspect about a computer science degree is its versatility. A computer science education can lay the foundation for pursuing several different technology careers. We're profiling some of the most common opportunities so you can get a better understanding of the job duties, career outlooks and earning potentials. The BLS provides data on median annual earnings for these positions, but keep in mind that computer science starting salaries will likely be less than these benchmarks. Generally speaking, compensation tends to increase along with experience.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the roles seeking computer science graduates. We used labor market analysis software to examine more than 135,000 job postings from the past year that were seeking candidates with a computer science degree and zero to two years of experience. ² Read on to learn more about these entry-level computer science jobs.

1. Software developer

Software developers analyze users' needs and then design and develop software to meet those needs. In their work, they'll collaborate with a team of developers to design and enhance a software program or application. These programs can range from practical, like an inventory tracking system, to fun, like a mobile game. This role requires strong programming and collaborative skills as the team works together to build and troubleshoot all elements of the program they're tasked with creating.

2. Computer support specialist

Computer support specialists, sometimes called tech support or IT specialists, are tasked with answering questions from users about computer equipment or software. It's their job to identify and solve software or hardware application problems in person, via phone or through email. They may also set up equipment, install programs and carry out minor repairs to hardware.

3. Web developer

Web developers design, build and maintain websites for clients and companies. Depending on the web development role, their work may focus on either the appearance and design of a website or the internal "back-end" code that ensures it works properly. They must work closely with the client or internal team to prioritize needs, develop content and identify solutions.

4. Computer systems analyst

Computer systems analysts are responsible for merging business and IT initiatives. They analyze data-processing problems to improve computer systems, enhance system compatibility and develop procedures and quality standards. They must also consult with business leaders to determine the role of the IT system.

5. Computer systems engineer

Computer systems engineers are tasked with creating solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues or network concerns. They must connect and communicate with clients about system needs and collaborate with software developers to identify appropriate design solutions. They also provide advice on project costs, design concepts or design changes.

6. Information security analysts

Information security analysts spend their workdays planning, implementing, upgrading and monitoring security measures that are put in place to protect computer networks and information. This can include performing risk assessments, executing tests of data processing systems, documenting computer security policies and procedures, training users, and encrypting data transmissions to conceal confidential information.

7. Business intelligence analyst

Business intelligence analysts work to produce financial and market intelligence by analyzing competitive market strategies through examination of related product, market or share trends. They'll often collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports or purchased sources. Armed with this intel, these tech pros identify industry or geographic trends paired with business implications.

8. Database administrator

Database administrators are responsible for overseeing the software and hardware that houses an organization's data. This includes testing databases to identify and correct errors, coordinating and implementing security measures, specifying user access levels, and directing programmers and analysts to make system modifications.

Get your start in one of these entry-level computer science jobs

Now that you have a better understanding of some common entry-level jobs seeking computer science graduates, perhaps you're starting to identify one or two that would be an ideal fit for you. The good news is there are several options out there for those equipped with a Computer Science degree.

Learn more about how our program can set you up for success in our article " 8 Things You Didn't Know About the Rasmussen University Computer Science Program."

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [accessed February 2021] www.bls.gov/oes/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
²Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 135,362 job postings seeking candidates with a computer science degree and 0-2 years of experience, Feb. 01, 2020 - Jan. 31, 2021).

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in December 2014. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2021.

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8 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs for Students to Explore

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Every year, thousands of fresh college graduates grapple with a simple yet hugely important question, " What's next?" If you're seriously considering earning a Computer Science degree, you're probably hoping to have an idea of the answer to that question before diving in.

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While buy low and sell high is a strategy that has resulted in big accumulations of wealth, this isn't how the professionals find their success. Instead, a savvy investor strategically deploys their money in order to allow it to work in more than one way-they multi-task their money.

The retail investor who is accustomed to working with stocks can simultaneously put their money to work in three ways:

Price action-The stock will hopefully rise in value.

Dividend-The fee a company pays you in exchange for using your money.

Call revenue-The money an investor pays you when you sell a covered call against your stock.

Price Action Strategies

If investing were a game, the way you'd win would be to buy a stock at a low price and sell it at a higher price, at a later date. If you own a home, you understand this concept in a very practical way.

In order to make a profit on your investment, it's often best to use one of two strategies to do that. The first is called value investing. Stocks, just like the products you purchase every day, go on sale from time to time and value investors wait for that sale price. This makes it even easier to make a profit, because stocks that are undervalued (on sale) have more room to grow.

Your favorite stock may not work for this strategy, because it must pay a dividend, it must have a price that is cheap enough that you can purchase 100 shares, and it must trade a lot of shares each day; at least 1 million shares of daily volume is best. Remember that a company's value is not based on its price. There are a lot of high-quality stocks that are under $30 per share and there are a lot of low-quality stocks that trade above $100. Stocks between $15 and $30, with at least a 2% dividend yield, are ideal. Finally, you don't want a highly volatile stock. If it has wild price swings, that will be much tougher to manage.

This is where you put your stock research and evaluation skills to work. Once you find your stock, assuming that you want to value invest, look for this name to be in the middle, or towards the bottom, of the trading range for the past 52 weeks. If it isn't there now, either wait for it to give you a price that you want, or find another company. There are plenty of worthy candidates for this strategy.

The second way is momentum trading. Some investors believe that the best time to buy a stock is when it continues to go higher, because just as we learned in grade school, an object in motion tends to stay in motion. The problem with momentum trading is that it tends to work better for shorter-term investors. For our strategy, we want to think long term. The more years you hold the stock, the better your potential returns could be.

Invest for Dividends

In a high-tech stock trading world, investing for a dividend might be considered boring, but dividends can be a big income source for the long-term investor.

The dividend gives us two advantages that help our money work for us in more than one way. First, it gives us a stable income. Sure, a company can choose to pay or not pay a dividend, as they would like, but for a high-quality company, with a low payout ratio, there is a lower chance of the dividend on a quarterly payment getting cut. Secondly, it lowers your cost basis for the stock you purchased.﻿﻿

Let's assume that you did your research and decided on stock XYZ. You bought 100 shares for $30 per share, which at the time had a three percent dividend yield.

$3,000 x 3% = $90 each year.

Not only are you making $90 each year, but since a dividend is paid to into your account as cash (most of the time), each year that you own your 100 shares, you can apply that dividend payment to what you paid for the stock and, in this case, subtract 90 cents per share. After just five years, your stock that cost you $30 per share, goes down to $25.50 per share. Many long-term investors reduce the price they paid for a stock to $0, just from the dividend.

Use a Covered Call

Covered calls are a little more complicated. If you don't feel confident with this leg of the strategy, buying a stock and collecting the dividend as it goes higher will still be an impressive gain.

Before we sell the covered call we have to make two important decisions:

What is the strike price?

How many months into the future do we want our contract to expire?

Strike Price

A covered call is an options contract strategy that gives the holder of the contract the right to purchase your 100 shares, if it is at or above the strike price. Presumably, you don't want your shares taken from you, although you may change your mind in later years, so your strike price needs to be high enough that the stock doesn't rise above the strike price, but low enough that you can still collect a healthy premium for the risk you're taking.

This decision is tough. If your stock is in a downtrend, you can probably sell an option with a strike that isn't much higher than the stock's current price. If the stock is in an uptrend-for the sake of safety-consider waiting to sell the call until you believe the move up has run its course, and the stock will soon go the other way. Remember, when the stock rises in value, the value of your option falls. This also adds the benefit of the covered call acting as a hedge.

Expiration Date

The further into the future you take your option, the more of a premium you will be paid upfront, to sell the call, but that's also more time that your stock has to stay below the strike price, to avoid having it " called away" from you. For your first contract, consider going three months into the future.

The covered call will make money for you as soon as you sell it because the premium that the buyer paid is deposited directly into your account. It will continue to make money for you if the price of your stock falls. As the price falls, so does the premium. You can purchase the contract back from the buyer at any time, so if the premium falls, you can purchase it for less than you sold it. That equals profit. On the other hand, if the stock rises above the strike price, you can purchase the contract for more than you sold it and incur a loss, but it saves you from having to give up your 100 shares.

One of the best ways to use the covered call is for the collection of the premium at the beginning, and although you can buy the option back if it goes up or down, save this for severe circumstances. Also, remember that the money you collect by selling your covered call can also be subtracted from the price you paid for the stock.﻿﻿

The best way to learn a complicated investing strategy, like the covered call, is by using a virtual platform where you don't have to worry about losing real money. You can still purchase the stock and collect the dividend, but wait to sell the covered call until you're comfortable with how it works.

The Bottom Line

For most investors, putting money in high-quality stocks for long periods of time, while harnessing dividend income, is the best way to make money in the market. Later, once you understand how to use the covered call, you can significantly increase your yield. Although the fixed income side of investing isn't as thrilling to watch, it is the most appropriate for retail investors and as we can see, the numbers can add up fast.

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3 Ways to Increase Your Investment Performance

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While buy low and sell high is a strategy that has resulted in big accumulations of wealth, this isn't how the professionals find their success. Instead, a savvy investor strategically deploys their money in order to allow it to work in more than one way-they multi-task their money.