Computer and Information Research Scientists
Create new, theoretical, and applied knowledge at the forefront of technology. Some collaborate with scientists in other fields, and some perform applied research to help people and organizations create innovative solutions to meet their needs; in a way they are technology detectives who sort through “clues” and data to help people and organizations solve their problems.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in 2007 in Oregon was an impressive $118,445 per year, or $56.94 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The total number of Oregon jobs in this specialized field is small, with a total of 188 jobs expected statewide by 2016. New positions are expected to open up in Multnomah, Washington, and Lane County regions.
In 2006, Oregon’s computer and information research scientists worked in publishing, information, and software industries.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely plan on earning a master’s degree if you want to prepare to be a Computer and Information Research Scientist. Related work experience also helps once you enter the job market.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Paul McKenney, Distinguished Engineer at IBM's Linux Technology Center on helping the fastest equipment “win the game.”
Computer Software Engineers
Design, build, experiment with, and assess the computer applications and the systems software that allow them to operate; they study what people need and develop creative, customized solutions, working both individually and as part of teams. Software engineers create anything and everything from computer games to software that keeps the Space Shuttle running properly.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Oregon Software Engineers in 2007 was an impressive $95,901 per year, or $46.11 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Looking for opportunity? Look no further. The number of jobs for software engineers in Oregon is already large and is expected to grow faster than the statewide average, with 2,287 jobs statewide expected by 2016. In fact, total job openings are projected to be much higher than the state average in coming years. Oregon is expected to add 249 NEW JOBS, a total of 12.2% more Software Engineers between 2006 and 2016. The employment department projects 46 job openings per year in this period, including both replacement and new positions. The largest numbers of openings are expected to be in the Portland Metropolitan areas of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties, but positions are expected to pop up in many regions across the state. In 2006, large numbers of Oregon’s Software Engineers worked in manufacturing, computer systems design, and publishing and information. Hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from telecommunications to hosting services to mail-order houses.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely earn a bachelor’s degree if you want to be a Software Engineer. Once in the job market, experience with related work can also help get you in the door.
Show me a real person:
Hear from Diana Carroll, Test Research & Development Engineer at Intel loves “playing with new technologies that aren’t on the market yet.”
Hear from J.J.Cadiz, with degrees in Computer Science and Speech Communicatations. J.J. is a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft and studies the interactions of humans and computers in order to improve software products.