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READY FOR LIFE AFTER CIS? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

READY FOR LIFE AFTER CIS? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW! Jason T. Black, CIS September 22, 2004 Professional Development Forum OUTLINE OF TALK Introduction What IS Computer Science Really? How do I Prepare for CIS Careers? What Jobs are Out There For Me? What do the Salaries Look Like?

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READY FOR LIFE AFTER CIS? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

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  1. READY FOR LIFE AFTER CIS? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW! Jason T. Black, CIS September 22, 2004 Professional Development Forum

  2. OUTLINE OF TALK • Introduction • What IS Computer Science Really? • How do I Prepare for CIS Careers? • What Jobs are Out There For Me? • What do the Salaries Look Like? • Does FAMU’s CIS REALLY Prepare Me? • Conclusion / Questions

  3. INTRODUCTION – Who Am I? • I am “one of you” • Major – CIS Business option • Internships (Life Gets Better) • Clubs / organizations / “College Life” • Graduated 1991 • Masters • Georgia Tech (Software Engineering, 1992) • Ph.D. • Florida State University (Ed. Tech., Dec, 04) • Both M.S. and Ph.D. were in Computer Science Departments

  4. SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE? • Start with what it is NOT: • Not “Study of computers” • Little significance with Computers • Not “Programming” • Has programming at core, but majority of time not spent on programming • Programming taught at Community College • Not “use and application of computers and software” • These are tools used by computer scientists

  5. SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE? • So, What IS it? • Definition (freedictionary.com): • Branch of engineering sciences that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures • Study of algorithms, including: • Formal and math properties • Hardware realizations • Linguistic realizations • Applications

  6. DIFFERENCES IN CIS AND CS • CIS (Computer Information Systems) • Basic core courses same as CS • Exposure to languages • Immediate employment / MBA Program • CIS (Computer Information Sciences) • Same core courses • Exposure to languages and theory of CS • Graduate School / Research • CIS (Science tract) is more related to Computer Science

  7. AREAS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE • Core Areas: • Algorithms and data structure • Programming languages • Computer architecture • Operating systems • Additional: • Software engineering • Database / information management • Artificial Intelligence • Graphics • Network / internet computing • Mobile computing

  8. AREAS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (CONT.) • Areas not really CS, but CLOSE! • Computer Information Systems • Educational Technology • Human-Computer Interaction • Electrical and Computer Engineering • Scientific Computing • All Areas Require: • Problem-solving / reasoning • Creativity • Theory / research

  9. CS CAREERS • Computer Programmers • Application, system, network • Almost 500,000 in 2002 • B.S. degrees almost 50%; M.S. almost 20% • Drawbacks: • Long hours, minimal pay • Limited advancement • Outsourcing • Consultants • Earnings: • Average: $60,290 • 50% between $45K and $78K • Minimum Average: $35K • Highest 10%: $95K

  10. CS CAREERS (cont.) • Software Engineers / Systems Analysts • B.S. degree: almost 80% • Almost 700,000 employed in 2002 • ~400,000 applications; ~300,000 systems • Found in corporate, academic and research arenas • Almost 21,000 were consultants • At least B.S. with experience with systems • Increased focus on Computer Security • Often requires advanced degrees and experience • IEEE certification (training) • Requires STRONG problem-solving and analytical skills, communication • Entry-level: testing; experience controls advancement • Earnings: • Average: $70K • Middle 50%: $55K - $88K • Entry: $44K • Highest: $110K

  11. CS CAREERS (cont.) • Information Management Specialists • Database administrators, Information research specialists, systems support • Employment in 2002: • DB: 110,000 • Research specialists: 23,000 • Systems Support: 192,000 • Increasing employment with Internet providers • Requires B.S. in CS, IS, MIS, or CIS • Increased interest in M.S. in BA (Business Admin.) • Webmasters: associates degree or certification • Research: Ph.D. • Earnings: • Average: $62K • Middle 50%: $49K - $78K • Entry: $39K • Highest: $93K • Federal Govt: $68K • State Govt: 45K • With Grad Degree: $69K to $101K

  12. CS CAREERS • Hardware Engineers • Computer engineers, system engineers, electrical engineers • ~40% work in computer/electronic manufacturing • ~25% work in professional, scientific and technical firms • ~75,000 jobs in 2002 • Competition overseas • Earnings: • Average: $72K • Middle 50%: $56K to $91K • Entry: $45K • Highest: $115K • Semiconductors: $76K • Equipment manufacturing: $75K • Systems design: $74K • With Grad Degree: $65K

  13. CS CAREERS • Hot Emerging Areas: • Computer Security • Mobile Computing / Wireless Programming • Graphics • Artificial Intelligence • Consulting (???)

  14. MEDIAN SALARY COMPARISON • By State (B.S. in CS): • California - $80K • New York - $60K • Texas - $63.5K • Florida - $56K • Michigan - $59K • Virginia - $65.5K • By City (B.S. in CS) • New York - $75.5K • Seattle - $70K • San Fran - $80K • San Jose - $98K • Chicago - $70K • Dallas - $74.2K • Washington - $75K

  15. HOW DO YOU PREPARE (while at FAMU)? • Talk to counselors, teachers • Examine course catalog / Plan WELL! • Department curriculum • Critical thinking courses • Internships • Balance “training” with “good education” • Technical Skills • Oracle, C++, Java, Visual Basic, UNIX, Windows • Non-Technical Skills • Professionalism, etiquette, oral/written skills, clubs/activities • Make contacts with professionals • Keep abreast of new technologies • Interview, Interview, Interview!!!

  16. Words of Warning • Things that can affect employment: • Economy is cyclical • Growth in some areas of minimal • Outsourcing • Government • Focuses in technology • Ways to be ready for down trends • Best credentials • Prepare for worst-case scenario

  17. HOW TO GET A JOB(After FAMU) • Things to consider BEFORE interviewing: • Self-Assessment • Match YOUR skills with the career of your choice • Set your CAREER goals • Once you have an offer: • Weigh Salary .vs. Cost-Of-Living • Examine environment / locale • Opportunities for advancement • Number of minorities • Select company that satisfies all of the above

  18. WORDS OF WARNING (cont.) • Other issues: • Still lack of qualified computer science graduates • Still too few students going to graduate school • Students with college degrees best candidates • Avoid downsizing: • Be BEST-PREPARED • Keep Busy!! • Think in terms of CAREER, not JOB! • Consider Graduate School (Careful!)

  19. SHOULD I GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL? • Benefits: • Increased career choices • Financial • Contribution to the field • Flexibility • Giving back (academia) • But is it right for ME? • Cost • Time • Lifestyle change • Background • Availability • Answer: depends on YOU!

  20. SO, DOES FAMU PREPARE YOU FOR THE NEXT LEVEL? • Industry • Yes, but depends on YOU! • Number of graduates in workforce • Curriculum consistent with needs of corporate world • Graduate School • Again, YES, depending on YOU! • Science tract consistent with most CS programs • Diversity of students in grad programs • Number of M.S. recipients • I AM LIVING PROOF!!! 

  21. QUESTIONS?

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