Careers in Computer Science

Jobs are plentiful for Computer Science majors. Take a look at payscale.com , a website that collects data on jobs and their respective salaries. Taking a look at the link, computer science majors can expect pay ranging from $44,000 up to $117,000! Actuarial positions are always open to Computer Science majors; programming is part of the job description for many actuarial positions. Provided on the side is a listing of common jobs that computer science majors tend to choose after graduation. Keep in mind that this is a tiny portion of jobs that Computer Science majors can fill.

Entry Level

After graduation an entry level programmer can expect to go through some extent of training. Many companies have designed their workflow around specific protocols. You must learn the ins an outs of a companies workflow. Being a good programmer is not only defined by ones personal programming skills. A programmer must know how to work with a team and follow programming contructs put in place to increase efficiency between team members.

Teamwork

Software development is structured around teamwork. It takes many people to create a final product. From the initial design to the final product software development is founded upon teamwork. Team sizes can vary dependant upon the requirements of the project. Teams usually have a project leader who is assigned the task of insuring that the project meets requirments. The project manager typically exchanges thoughts, ideas, and progress reports with the other branches of the project, such as Marketing and Design teams.

It is good to keep in mind that software is not only limited to the programming. Many other aspects must be taken care of to create the right product for a client. The structure of a team is dependant ideals put in place by the company as a whole. This means that each company is different and has varying approaches to completing a project.

The Workplace

The workspace of a software development company is often much more lax than that of traditional buisnesses. The picture above is from the national headquarters of Hyland Software located in Westlake, Ohio. Hyland has become quite well known for the slides that they incorporate into the workspace. The atmosphere of the workplace is often an important factor when people are first deciding upon programming as a profession.

Employers understand the importance of furtering their programmers knowledge in the world of code. Not only do many companies pay for employees to train in new technologies, but often they encourage employees to carryout personal studies during work hours. These experiences can allow for you as a programmer to branch out and learn new technology that you feel are important.