A World of Job Opportunities
Whether it’s creating software from scratch, building web pages, animating the next big computer game, working internationally, or networking on a mountain top in the middle of nowhere, a computer science degree offers you many options that you don’t always have in other types of jobs.
And you can have a job with a computer science degree. Because almost every type of industry or company uses people with computer science degrees, you’ll have lots of options of places to work, types of jobs, top salaries, and the flexibility to design your own career. From 2002 to 2012, over a million new jobs are expected for computer specialists 1. That’s an increase of over 35%!
1 Source: 2002-2012 Occupational Employment Outlook compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Show Me the Money!
Okay, a question that everybody has is: “How much money can I make with a computer science degree?” The answer to this question also depends on your college degree, the position you are hired for, and the type of organization, such as a large company, a school district, or a smaller organization.
Average starting salary offers nationally in 2005 for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science were $50,820 and $93,050 for those with doctoral degrees (Ph.D.s), according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Below are average salaries for Oregonians with computer science degrees. For more information on salary trends in each field, how many jobs are out there, and real people in the field, click on the job category below.
Average Annual Wages for Oregon Jobs in 2007
Computer and Info Research Scientists: $118,445
Software Engineers: $95,901
Computer and Information Systems Managers: $100,709
Database Administrators: $69,020
Network Systems & Data Communication Analysts: $61,604
Computer Programmers: $69,615
Support Specialists: $41,188
Systems Analysts: $69,031
Graphic Designers: $41,948
Multi-Media Artists and Animators: $59,023
NOTE: Figures and job titles are based on the on-line Occupation Information System of the Oregon Employment Department report, 2007. For most current reports, go to http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OIC?ccc.
Top Execs Talk Opportunity
Click on the names below to read about opportunities for high-schoolers from top executives of several large Oregon high-tech companies:
Eileen Boerger, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Agilis Solutions
Wally Rhines, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mentor Graphics
James Troisi, Business Alliance Manager, IBM
Morph Your Own Office
Talk about flexibility! Computer science professionals work in many different environments because the “tool of their trade” is portable! While some professionals want to be at a company’s physical site and enjoy the teamwork and interaction this provides, others are able to work from home, in a coffee shop, on the beach, or on an airplane.
All kinds of people benefit from this: those who are more creative when not in an office environment, women or men who want to work at home part-time and also raise their kids, and people who like to move from place to place and manage their own career path.
Click the links below or at the top of this page for:
Science & Engineering Careers, Information Technology Careers, Graphic Design Careers