Opportunities in Computer Science Andrew Mertz William Slough Nancy Van Cleave Eastern Illinois University Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
What is Computer Science? Computer science spans the range from theory through programming to cutting-edge development of computing solutions. 1 Computer science offers a foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas. 1 computingcareers.acm.org
What is Computer Science? The work of computer scientists falls into three categories: designing and building software developing effective ways to solve computing problems, such as storing information in databases, sending data over networks or providing new approaches to security problems devising new and better ways of using computers and addressing particular challenges in areas such as robotics, computer vision, or digital forensics
Computer Science Leads to Great Jobs The Best and Worst Jobs 2. Of 200 Jobs studied by CareerCast.com, these came out on top: 1 Mathematician 11 Economist 2 Actuary 12 Philosopher 3 Statistician 13 Physicist 4 Biologist 14 Parole Officer 5 Software Engineer 15 Meteorologist 6 Computer Systems Analyst 16 Med. Lab Tech 7 Historian 17 Paralegal Assistant 8 Sociologist 18 Computer Programmer 9 Industrial Designer 19 Motion Picture Editor 10 Accountant 20 Astronomer 2 online.wsj.com/article/sb123119236117055127.html
Computer Science Leads to Great Jobs The Best and Worst Jobs 2. Of 200 Jobs studied by CareerCast.com, these came out on top: 1 Mathematician 11 Economist 2 Actuary 12 Philosopher 3 Statistician 13 Physicist 4 Biologist 14 Parole Officer 5 Software Engineer 15 Meteorologist 6 Computer Systems Analyst 16 Med. Lab Tech 7 Historian 17 Paralegal Assistant 8 Sociologist 18 Computer Programmer 9 Industrial Designer 19 Motion Picture Editor 10 Accountant 20 Astronomer 2 online.wsj.com/article/sb123119236117055127.html
Computer Science Leads to Great Jobs The Best and Worst Jobs 2. Of 200 Jobs studied by CareerCast.com, these came out on top: 1 Mathematician 11 Economist 2 Actuary 12 Philosopher 3 Statistician 13 Physicist 4 Biologist 14 Parole Officer 5 Software Engineer 15 Meteorologist 6 Computer Systems Analyst 16 Med. Lab Tech 7 Historian 17 Paralegal Assistant 8 Sociologist 18 Computer Programmer 9 Industrial Designer 19 Motion Picture Editor 10 Accountant 20 Astronomer 2 online.wsj.com/article/sb123119236117055127.html
Computer Science Leads to Great Paying Jobs as Well MONEY Magazine 3 and Salary.com rate careers on salary and job prospects. Rank Career Growth Average pay 1 Software engineer 46.07% $80,427 2 College professor 31.39% $81,491 3 Financial advisor 25.92% $122,462 4 Human resources manager 23.47% $73,731 5 Physician assistant 49.65% $75,117 6 Market research analyst 20.19% $82,317 7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% $83,427 8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% $66,216 9 Pharmacist 24.57% $91,998 10 Psychologist 19.14% $66,359 3 money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2006/top50/
Computer Science Leads to Great Paying Jobs as Well MONEY Magazine 3 and Salary.com rate careers on salary and job prospects. Rank Career Growth Average pay 1 Software engineer 46.07% $80,427 2 College professor 31.39% $81,491 3 Financial advisor 25.92% $122,462 4 Human resources manager 23.47% $73,731 5 Physician assistant 49.65% $75,117 6 Market research analyst 20.19% $82,317 7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% $83,427 8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% $66,216 9 Pharmacist 24.57% $91,998 10 Psychologist 19.14% $66,359 3 money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2006/top50/
But money isn t everything! In Computer Science there are many... Interesting people Intriguing and relevant problems Connections to global economy Great careers
A Few Computer Science Job Titles Computer Analyst Computer Specialist Database Analyst Technical Report Writer Information Specialist Network Engineer Program Manager Software Designer Software Engineer Support Engineer System Analyst Systems Applications Analyst Systems Engineer/Administrator Telecommunications Engineer Analyst Game Designer Scientific Programmer Business Programmer Systems Programmer Communication and Network Specialist End User Training and Support Technical Report Writer Multimedia Programmers and Specialists Web Master Applications Programmer Cryptographer Security Specialist...
The perception among high school students and their parents is that the game is over that all computing jobs are going overseas. It s an extraordinarily widely held misperception 4. David A. Patterson, President of the ACM CS Professor at UC Berkeley 4 The New York Times, 2/23/06
Top 10 Reasons to Major in Computing 5 Computing is part of everything we do! = valuable knowledge Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems = rewarding and diverse Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world = drive innovation 5 computingcareers.acm.org
Computing offers many types of lucrative careers = high pay and high job satisfaction Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are located = greatest potential for new jobs through 2014 (BLS) Expertise in computing helps you even if your primary career choice is something else = competitive advantage
Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness = elegance and beauty Computing has space for both collaborative work and individual effort = team work is valued Computing is an essential part of well rounded academic preparation = problem solving and logical thinking Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries = make your life s work exciting and real
Undergraduate Computer Science Topics Mathematics discrete math, calculus, graph theory, linear algebra, probability and statistics CS 1 and CS 2 introduction to computer science Data structures Algorithms Computer systems Operating systems Theory of computing Software engineering Special topics: AI, cryptography, graphics, databases,...
Desirable Skills for Computer Scientists Problem solving Abstraction Critical thinking Programming design, coding, testing Writing and speaking skills Mathematics
Highlights of Eastern s Computer Science Program Mathematical focus Accessible professors Research and independent study opportunities Small class size Internship provides industry experience
For More Information... Contact us: Dr. Andrew Mertz: Dr. William Slough: Dr. Nancy Van Cleave: aemertz@eiu.edu waslough@eiu.edu nkvancleave@eiu.edu