HELP WANTED?HELP WANTED?

Job prospects for CSJob prospects for CS

Compensation (show me the money)Compensation (show me the money)

Career networkingCareer networking

US Department of Labor US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook HandbookOccupational Outlook Handbookhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htm

Despite the recent downturn in information Despite the recent downturn in information technology, employment of computer technology, employment of computer software engineers is expected to software engineers is expected to increase increase much faster than the averagemuch faster than the average for all for all occupations, as businesses and other occupations, as businesses and other organizations adopt and integrate new organizations adopt and integrate new technologies and seek to maximize the technologies and seek to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. efficiency of their computer systems.

US Dept of Labor; Bureau of Labor US Dept of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Statistics, (2002-2012 Projections)(2002-2012 Projections)

9 of the 10 fastest growing occupations are 9 of the 10 fastest growing occupations are health or computer (information technology) health or computer (information technology) occupations.occupations.7 out of the 30 fastest growing occupations in 7 out of the 30 fastest growing occupations in the economy are computer-related.the economy are computer-related.2 out of the 30 largest growing occupations in 2 out of the 30 largest growing occupations in the economy are computer-related.the economy are computer-related.

Money Magazine (Nov. 14, 2004)Money Magazine (Nov. 14, 2004)Ranks CS as 6Ranks CS as 6thth among the top 10 degrees in among the top 10 degrees in demand.demand.

Some Computer Science Some Computer Science related specialtiesrelated specialties

Programmers (writing the instructions to tell computers Programmers (writing the instructions to tell computers what to do)what to do)Software Engineers (design, develop, test, and evaluate Software Engineers (design, develop, test, and evaluate software systems)software systems)Systems Analysts (harness technology to solve general Systems Analysts (harness technology to solve general computer problems)computer problems)Network Administrators (ensure interoperability and Network Administrators (ensure interoperability and security of computer components)security of computer components)Database Administrators (organize, store and secure Database Administrators (organize, store and secure data)data)Support Specialists (technical support and advice to Support Specialists (technical support and advice to computer users)computer users)Computer Scientists (theoretical research concerning Computer Scientists (theoretical research concerning technological innovation.)technological innovation.)

Money Magazine Money Magazine (Feb. 2004)(Feb. 2004)

Computer Science ranks in the top 5 of Computer Science ranks in the top 5 of highest paid professionals just out of highest paid professionals just out of college.college.

The average offer for computer science The average offer for computer science majors rose 8.9 percent to $48,656; and majors rose 8.9 percent to $48,656; and more than half the offers surveyed topped more than half the offers surveyed topped $50,000.$50,000.

Recent CS Graduates (BS Degree)Recent CS Graduates (BS Degree)Sample JobsSample Jobs

Accounting/Consulting firm – IT consultant. Specialized development, Accounting/Consulting firm – IT consultant. Specialized development, software integration, and security audits.software integration, and security audits.Carnegie Mellon University – Graduate study in security.Carnegie Mellon University – Graduate study in security.Accenture (Bloomington) – following a semester internshipAccenture (Bloomington) – following a semester internshipAbbott Labs - Software engineeringAbbott Labs - Software engineeringMicrosoft - Testing tools and recruitingMicrosoft - Testing tools and recruitingExpedia - Web site development for online travel resourcesExpedia - Web site development for online travel resourcesArgonne National Laboratory – Integration of new technologies, setting up Argonne National Laboratory – Integration of new technologies, setting up high-speed networkshigh-speed networksApple – Technical writerApple – Technical writerMicrosoft - Software Design EngineerMicrosoft - Software Design EngineerMotorola – Software Development and TestingMotorola – Software Development and Testing

Note: Many federal agencies are needing computer experts to meet new Note: Many federal agencies are needing computer experts to meet new demands related to homeland security, etc.demands related to homeland security, etc.

Examples of UIC-CS Career Examples of UIC-CS Career NetworkingNetworking

COE Career Center: Co-ops, interns, career COE Career Center: Co-ops, interns, career placementplacementDirector: Ralph Pini (Former Senior VP and CTO Director: Ralph Pini (Former Senior VP and CTO of the  Personal Communications Sector at of the  Personal Communications Sector at Motorola)Motorola)Lunch with an Engineer Program (COE Alumni)Lunch with an Engineer Program (COE Alumni)E.g., April 4: Greg Sherwin, Vice President for E.g., April 4: Greg Sherwin, Vice President for Information Technology at CNET NetworksInformation Technology at CNET NetworksIndustry speakers via professional student Industry speakers via professional student organizations such as IEEE and ACMorganizations such as IEEE and ACM

Company visits

Example: Last Fall – Visit byrecruiters from Google