Do computer-related degrees still yield high paying jobs?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Vinceoe, Mar 15, 2011.

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  1. Vinceoe

    Vinceoe New Member

    At a high enough rate to make the degree worth it? I really want to work with computers as I always have. I am not sure there is much opportunity out there, though. Any examples, or advice from experience would be great.
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I would recommend Computer Science degree. Especially you can get any Information Technology jobs (i.e: Software Development, Oracle Database, Computer Networking, System Engineering (Unix, Linux, Windows), Information Security, and etc.).

    Successful in IT Career: Experiences + Degree + Industrial Certifications (Information Security: CISSP, Digial Forensic Investigator (CGFA); Network Engineering: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE; Database Administrator: Oracle Certification; Project Management: PMP; System Engineering: Microsoft MCITP, LPI, RedHat, and etc).

    So, to answer your question, "Do computer-related degrees still yield high paying jobs?" No, only if you have 5 or more years experience. If you don't have any experience...you would start with an entry level with a degree (Salary Average: $40,000.00).

    Other members might disagree with my input, but I respect their opinions.
     
  3. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    Depends on what you mean by high paying. Is is still possible to make a decent living in IT? Yes, if that's what you like and you are good at it. Also keep in mind that you'll likely earn more in, say, software engineering or project management than you will doing PC repair.

    I agree with Tekman: you need certs, a degree, AND experience in order to be really successful. Plus a little bit of luck.
     
  4. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Tekman nailed it but I'll add a piece.

    If you're willing to travel around for the first five years of your career it will benefit you greatly.
     
  5. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    You got some good advise here.

    One more thing that can help is if you change your name to Indian sounding maybe Kumar or Balaji, Satish will do. You will have a good chance to accelerate the hiring and start gaining the necessary experience. :)

    Just kidding

    Seriously , there is work in IT, IS, SE, and it pays well. Many who are employed in this field are able to provide for their families. And as mentioned earlier if you are flexible as far as travel or relocation goes then you have a good chance for a rewarding career.
     
  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Once upon a time people used to use the term "itinerant farm worker." This was typically an illegal immigrant who moved from place to place harvesting crops as they ripened. It can be a "Grapes of Wrath" thing too. So are you guys saying that there's this population of IT people migrating around the country, working for one place for a year or two then moving to another area and doing the whole "rinse and repeat" thing? Some Sociologist ought to write a book.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 16, 2011
  7. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I would say, "YES." If you live in Casper, Wyoming...there is no way you can get an IT job. So, you have to move to Denver to get a decent IT job...then if you want to get more out of it. You have to move to Silicon Valley, LA, NYC, or Washington D.C. :)
     
  8. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    OK, I can easily believe that's true. My question is, once a person has moved from Casper to Denver, do they then need to move to some other city in order to move up the food chain? or can they stay in one place? obviously some places are better than others but does a new grad have to move and then move and then move in order to move up? Not my field. Just curious.
     
  9. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    I'm in Tampa and it is not a metropolis but we do have a good range of pay to offer here. As a computer programmer that knows how to write some good solid business oriented code you can expect to start at 40k and move up to 80k within four years or so. Most jobs are looking for three years of experience though since they can. That is the problem, getting your first break in a non growth economy like this. We are having a hard time finding talented people though right now so if you have the experience and skills you will not have a problem staying employed in a mid sized city.
     
  10. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Good news and bad news for you. The good news is that a computer related careers are in high demand as the economy becomes more automated and relies heavily on IT to run it. The bad news is that all the design and engineering work of IT is going to India, China and other nations because it is just cheaper.

    So to answer to your question, it is becoming harder to find those 100K+ jobs for programmers and engineers that were so common in 2000. The only high paying IT careers are in management nowadays which basically means a BSc in IT coupled with an MBA from a top school.

    Many students are not choosing IT not so much because is a bad choice but because Accounting and Finance seem to be doing better. A CPA has a much higher return of investment than an BSc in IT.

    There is also the issue of keeping up in IT, I have about 5 IT certifications and all became obsolete in a span of 10 years and took me about 3 years to get them. By the time you finish one, another one is in demand so you will find yourself getting new certifications all your life.

    My suggestion to new kids is to go for management IT oriented careers that demand less IT certifications and provide more work stability. Most programmers are only hired to do a project and let go as the project ends, managers tend to have better job security in my opinion but also vulnerable to economic turn downs.
     
  11. jaer57

    jaer57 New Member

    On the same topic, but a different "flavor" of computer job; computer engineering jobs pay pretty well, and there are plenty of them. Nearly everything seems to be becoming "smart" these days, and the computers inside them are usually referred to as embedded systems. Computer and electronic engineers design and program these embedded systems.

    Just the other day I started working on a design that runs Angstrom Linux on a ARM-based CPU. This tiny PCB I'm designing will be a full-fledged linux based computer for one of my company's products, and I'll work with a computer engineer to get it to do what it has to do. Other avenues include robotics, industrial controls, signal processing, process controlling, etc. All of these rely heavily on computer "systems on a chip" which not only require hardware but software engineering to get them to work. Anyways, it's just another kind of computer related job to consider. Not to mention it can also be a fine hobby if you're into tinkering with electronics; check out Arduino microcontrollers or BASIC Stamps to get started. Good luck in your endeavors!
     
  12. Beagle412

    Beagle412 New Member

    Well, I don't even have a computer-related degree (BA-Biology), and I have built a very successful IT career over the last 15 years. I like a lot of the advice given here already. Certifications are good, but their value can be short-lived due to their tendency to be vendor or version specific and thus can outdate themselves quickly. They've been helpful throughout my career as tools to get my foot into a new IT specialty, or to advance within a position I was in. My advice - look at the big picture. Understand how technologies are used to solve business problems, and then master the technologies that interest you, keeping that macro view in mind. The best money to be made in IT, with the most number of domestic jobs, is found in roles like "Architect", "Consultant", "IT Project Manager", "Systems Engineer", etc. Learning what is driving businesses to get the most out of their investments in technology is key to career survival in IT. Software Engineering and development and tech support are often outsourced these days. In the '90's it was getting an MCSE and learning web technologies and e-commerce, today it's social network engineering, IT project management, and virtualization. I've found that the key is being flexible, always learning, and keeping a finger on the pulse of how businesses spend money on technology to stay competetive, solve problems, and maximize their operational efficiency. After a while, you learn to predict the skillset that will be in greatest demand next, and focus your learning and expertise accordingly. With that also will come a greater understanding of the role and importance of technology in the marketplace.
     
  13. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    Also, there is a shortage of high quality people in all fields. These people will always be in demand. Many of the worst developers have lost their jobs to outsourcing but the best and the brightest who keep their skills current and relevant will always find employment. In IT you cannot afford to become lazy and content with your skill set. If you keep learning business and technology and work on your communications skills you will always be valuable as a programmer, analyst or project manager.
     
  14. davidson1120

    davidson1120 member

    Yes, computer related degree is one of the high-paying job for now as we are in the era of new technology and more company is now looking for IT related people.
     

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