Why you want a CS + Econ and Advertising degree

CS + X series by Women in Computer Science at Illinois

Big Data Meets the Big Bucks

Economics is the study of scarcity and its impact on distribution and production. Advertising is the study and process of bringing attention to products and services. When we think of these two studies, it is not inherently clear how the field of Computer Science intersects with them; one might wonder, “Where do they fit?” and “Why should they be studied peripherally?”

The answer? CS has huge implications in both Advertising and Economics, and the fields are much more intertwined than largely believed. Everything from big data to artificial intelligence requires a key understanding of the modern economy and how advertisements impact a product's success.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, it is imperative that we study how entire market sectors are being drastically affected by the optimization that computer programs and related products provide. In a similar fashion, companies are also getting smarter at utilizing computer programs to make their advertisements more efficient so that they can do what they need to do most: sell. So what comes from this? CS + Economics and CS + Advertisement.

Why CS + Econ?

CS fits very nicely within the field of economics, especially in the modern day and age where programs like chatGPT are completely changing the way we understand modern economics as we know it. Students like Deepika Rana, a sophomore studying CS + Econ at the GIES College of Business, understand this well. The program offers a sense of intersectionality, with classes tailored explicitly to economics and CS, while allowing students to explore both fields independently. This separates the program from double majoring or minoring; Rana found this very beneficial, stating, “You learn more about each topic individually before learning how they piece together.”

Why CS + Advertising?

CS + Advertising has many avenues, including cloud computing, how mobile technology's rapid and pervasive adoption has created a paradigm shift in the advertising industry, computational advertising, and so much more. CS + Advertising combines classes in Grainger College of Engineering and the College of Media. Saborni Kundu, a freshman in the program, is primarily interested in the balance of creativity and logic that CS + Advertising provides. “It allows me to pursue my passion in Computer Science and blend it with a creative medium.” Courses explore the implications of the digital world on advertisements and how to properly create advertisements in this new and improved online, tech-based world in which standards change rapidly.

What can I expect from classes?

In both programs, the fields are much more isolated during the first half, with classes specifically focusing on either computer science or economics/advertising. This includes ECON 102, CS 124, and subsequent intro-level classes. The same goes for advertising, with courses like ADV 150 and ADV 281. During the latter half of each program, classes begin to intertwine, detailing how each field impacts the other and what this means to how they function.

Rana expressed interest in Technology and Future Jobs, a class in the higher level degree of the CS + Econ program — “while I wish there were more classes like this earlier in the program, this is a course I look forward to because of the duality.” Similarly, Kundu mentioned her excitement in ADV 492 — Tech and Advertising Campaigns — saying, “I get to explore what users are looking for and how to implement what benefits the user technologically.”

Opportunities on campus and what to expect post-grad

Outside of the CS + X program, there are many opportunities on campus to further pursue advertising and economics in computer science. A great option for many students in the econ program is graduate degrees in business and finance, like the MBA program at Illinois. Advertising students can also undergo a post-grad degree, such as an MS in Advertising, through the College of Media.

The university also has many on-campus groups and registered student organizations (RSOs) that bolster the CS + X experience. Some include the Disruption Lab (D-Lab), dedicated to creating positively disruptive technologies to shake up the field and the SWE Tech Team. Rana detailed how she gained experience consulting with clients while participating in the programming team. ACM also has SIGecom, a special interest group on economics and computation.

It doesn’t stop there: the AAF, American Advertising Foundation also has a chapter on campus! This organization is dedicated to helping students in universities across America approach local businesses and help improve their advertisement campaigns. “I was able to utilize my knowledge in CS to help local businesses gain an online presence and widen their scope," said Kundu in regards to her experience in aiding local businesses in Champaign

Job prospects in both careers are vast. In the economic sphere, jobs range from econometrics and economics analysis specializing in the technology sector to data science and policy analysis. Advertising students have job prospects ranging from marketing coordinator to web design to public relations director. The endless possibilities require the intersectional knowledge that CS + X provides!

From the enriching curriculum to the specialized opportunities you gain, CS + Econ and CS + Advertising are two amazing CS + X programs that have impacted students worldwide. They can gain an education tailored to their special interests and participate in organizations that deal with real-world issues. The intersection of passions in both logic and creativity will equip students with the tools to make a meaningful impact on the world of CS and the economy!

Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:

• CS + Advertising
• CS + Economics
• CS + Advertising Sample 4-Year plan
• CS + Economics Sample 4-Year plan
• CS+X FAQs

Articles courtesy of the Illinois Women in Computer Science student group at The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.