Career Options for Computer Science Majors

There can be no doubt that the computer is an indispensable tool to our fast-paced existence, with limitless choices for its application in industry, service, and institutions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-11, computer systems design and related services industry is expected to grown much faster than average: 24% by 2018.

Since 9/11, the issue of security has been at the forefront of daily life. This issue will be the catalyst for more industry-related jobs in software and antivirus program development, online services, and integration consultancy.

CAREERS AS A . . . CAN BE FOUND IN . . .

COMPUTING PROFESSIONAL

• Computer Programmer
• Software Engineer
• Network Administrator
• Communications Specialist
• Database Administrator
• Scientific Systems Programmer
• Computer Consultant
• Management Consultant

CRYPTOGRAPHER

• NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
• CENTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH (Princeton, NJ)
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• ARMY
• NAVY
• AIR FORCE

ANALYST

• Statistical
• Quantitative
• Financial
• Business
• Computer Systems
• Programmer
• Research
• Data
• Market

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS & SYSTEMS ANALYSTS

POSSIBLE JOB TITLES

• Computer database administrator or manager
• Computer designer or engineer
• Computer product design engineer
• Computer scientist
• Computer support analyst
• Internet developer
• Software applications developer
• Software designer or developer or engineer

POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS

• Manufacturing [including computer manufacturers]
• Banking
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Travel and Hospitality
• Government
• Computer design and installation firms
• Insurance companies

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Actuary
• Programmer
• Consultant
• Electronic Publishing
• Financial or Management or Operations research analyst
• Urban planner

MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS & CONSULTANTS

POSSIBLE JOB TITLES

• Computer consultants
• Management analysts
• Management consultants

POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS

• Federal State and Local governments [majority in DOL]
• Public and private industry specializing by:
• industry or by type of business function [HR, IS]

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Systems analyst
• Economist
• Financial analyst
• Investment banker
• Life scientist
• Researcher
• Sociologist
• Urban planner

OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYSTS

POSSIBLE JOB TITLES

• Operations research analyst
• working in mgmt., research, PR, or testing agencies that do operations research.

POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS

• Large manufacturers
• Retail chains
• Service organizations
• Computer and data processing services
• Banks and savings institutions
• Insurance companies
• Telecommunication companies
• Transportation and Transport Equipment manufacturers
• Government

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Computer scientists
• Engineers
• Mathematicians
• Statisticians
• Economists

COMPUTER OPERATORS & PROGRAMMERS

POSSIBLE JOB TITLES

• Computer operator
• Computer programmer

POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS

• Data processing service firms
• Wholesale trade establishments
• Manufacturing companies
• Financial institutions
• Government

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Computer scientists
• Systems analysts
• Computer service techs
• Data entry keyers
• Secretaries, typists, word processors
• Typesetters and compositors
• Statisticians
• Engineers
• Financial analysts
• Accountants, Auditors, Actuaries
• Operations research analysts

COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE

POSSIBLE JOB TITLES

• Account executive
• Computer account representative
• Computer salesperson
• Computer service person
• Computer technician
• Retail store manager

POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS

FOR SALES:

Vendors or Manufacturers

• Banks
• Insurance companies
• Colleges, universities, school systems
• Accounting and business agencies
• Hospitals and health-care facilities
• Government

Retail Stores

• Computer
• Office equipment
• Department, furniture, appliance
• Independent sales organizations selling directly to industry

FOR SERVICE:

• Wholesalers of computers [3 out of every 5]
• Retail establishments
• Self-servicing organizations

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Travel agent
• Real estate agent
• Insurance agent
• Financial reps
• Advertising account executives
• Electronics repair

ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

• Computer science professor
• Systems integrator
• Artifical intelligence specialist
• Technical writer
• Information designer
• Product communciations analyzer

[2008 median figures from BLS]

ANNUAL SALARY OVERVIEW

• Computer Support Specialist $46.4K
• Computer Programmer $70.9K
• Computer Systems Analyst $78.3K
• Computer Software Engineer, Applications $85.4K
• Computer SoftwareEngineer, Systems $84.6K
• Computer/Information Scientists Research $97.9K

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

Bureau of Labor Statistics

National Association of Computer Consulting Businesses

Association for Women in Computing

American Mathematical Society

Association for Women in Mathematics

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

Mathematical Association of America

Association for Computing Machinery

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Study Abroad Scholarships, Fellowships, and Postdoctoral Awards

Federal Grants

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