Careers in computer science
Computer science has many applications, giving you great job security. As computers continue to advance, the need for people with skills in computer science will only continue to grow. But what are some of the jobs and benefits you can have when you go with computer science? Well, let's start by taking a look at some salaries for computer science majors based on area of concentration.
Computer Science Major (Bachelor of Science Degree):
Average Pay:
Computer Science Major (Bachelor of Art Degree):
Computer/Software Engineering and Computer Programming:
Average Pay:
Information Systems Major:
Average Pay:
Career opportunities for computer science majors
| Artificial intelligence | Aerospace engineering | Bioinformatics | Computer science | Computer graphics |
| Computational science | Computer technician | Cognitive science | Database enginering | E-commerce |
| Financial services | Genetic engineering | Help desk technician | Database enginering | Human-computer interaction |
| Information science | Professional IT trainer | Information systems | Operating systems | Security specialist |
| Performance engineering | Public policy and privacy | System/Network administrator | Instructional design | Web services designer |
| Robotics | Knowledge engineering | Web identity designer | Scientific computing | Management information systems |
| Database administrator | Software architecture | Multimedia design | Software engineering | Telecommunications |
| Software engineering | System security | Transportation |
Advice from industry executives
What employers are looking for from college graduates, and suggestions from the WWU bulletin to fulfill those employment needs.
Graduates need to have strong analytical capabilities:
Consider taking the following courses:
- Statistics MATH 206 Statistics
- Discrete mathematics MATH 250 Discrete Mathematics
- Logic PHIL 206 Introduction to Logic
- Calculus MATH 123 Survey of Calculus
- Operations GBUS 366 Operations Management and Production
Good communication skills are necessary.
Consider taking the following courses:
- Writing
- ENGL 121, 122 College Writing
- ENGL 223 Research Writing
- ENGL 325 Writing for the Professions
- GBUS 270 Business Communications
- GBUS 370 Advanced Business Communications
- Speaking
- SPCH 101 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
- SPCH 207 Small Group Communication
- SPCH 310 Interpersonal and Nonverbal Communication
- SPCH 401 Introduction to General Semantics
- SPCH 443 Persuasive Speaking
Employable graduates are flexible and self-motivated in learning new skills and in making transitions both in technology and organizational structures.
While there are no specific courses to meet this recommendation, the broad selection of courses listed in this document and the exposure to a range of technology skills combined with an internship, international experience and a capstone experience with leading edge technology should help to prepare the student to handle change.
Consider taking the following courses:
- Anthropology, psychology, sociology:
- ANTH 225 Cultural Anthropology
- PSYC 130 General Psychology
- SOCI 204 General Sociology
- SOCI 236 Racial and Ethnic Relations
- Foreign language study, international history:
- French, German, Spanish
- HIST 274,5 History of England
- HIST 242 Modern East Asian History
- HIST 284 History of Latin America
- HIST 285 History of Mexico
- International business:
- ECON 488 International Economics
- MKTG 488 International Marketing
- International experience:
- Study abroad, International travel, CSV
- Literature, philosophy, religion:
- ENGL 359 World Literature
- PHIL 205 Introduction to Philosophy
- RELH 403 World Religions
The need is for persons who understand how large organizations function, who understand project management, who can function effectively in teams, and who are adaptable to changing corporate needs.
Consider taking the following courses:
- General economics:
- GBUS 160 Introduction to Business Economics
- ECON 204 Fundamentals of Economics
- ECON 211 Principles of Macro Economics
- ECON 212 Principles of Micro Economics
- Marketing, management, and organizational behavior:
- MKTG 381 Marketing
- MGMT 371 Management and Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 471 Organizational Change and Development
- MGMT 476 Motivation and Leadership
- ENGR 326 Engineering Economy
- ENGR 345 Contracts and Specifications
- ENGR 480 Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Internship:
- CPTR 494 Cooperative Education/Internship
- Teamwork and project management:
- CIS 315 Systems Analysis and Design
- CPTR XX Software Engineering
- CPTR 496-8 Seminar
- ENGR 326 Engineering Economy
- INFO XXX Creative Problem Solving
- MGMT 371 Management and Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 476 Motivation and Leadership
- SPCH 207 Small Group Communication
- SPCH 310 Interpersonal and Nonverbal Communication
The needs are greatest in the area of data modeling, database management, and hands-on database manipulation. Programming skills are fine--it is the management of information where recent graduates are weakest." The following is a core group of information technology skills.
Consider taking the following courses:
- Programming skills:
- CIS 130 Intro Busn App Programming (Visual Basic)
- CPTR 141 Introduction to Programming (C++, Java)
- CPTR 142-3 Data Structures and Algorithms
- Data modeling, database management and manipulation:
- CIS 440 Database Management Systems
- CIS 445 Database Management Applications
- CPTR XX Database Management System Design
- Additional skills:
- CIS 250 Telecommunications
- CIS 290 Intro to Network Administration
- CPTR 221-2 Programming Languages
- CPTR 352 Operating System Design
- CPTR XX Networking