What is the Career Outlook for Computer Science and Engineering?
It is an exciting time to pursue a career in computer science and engineering. Demand for computing and technology fields is projected to grow 13% through 2030. Advances in technology and the widespread adoption of cloud services are driving the need for professionals who can build cloud systems, parse data, and secure these systems from cyberattacks. In ZDNet’s assessment of “The Best Science Careers in 2022,” cloud engineers, AI researchers, and data scientists are top of the list for graduates with a computer science degree.
What Are the Top Computer Science and Engineering Jobs by Salary?
Computer science salaries depend heavily on location, education, experience, and field of study. Median pay for computer and information research scientists in the United States is US$131,490 as of 2021 and vary widely around the world. Resources like SalaryExpert allow individuals to explore these averages in more detail. Here are the top fields and salaries for computer science professionals.
| Computing Career Path | Minimum Education | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | Bachelor's Degree | $159,010 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | Bachelor's Degree | $128,170 |
| Computer Network Architect | Bachelor's Degree | $120,520 |
| Computer Programmer | Bachelor's Degree | $93,000 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Bachelor's Degree | $99,270 |
| Information Security Analyst | Bachelor's Degree | $120,600 |
| Computer and Network Systems Administrator | Bachelor's Degree | $80,600 |
What Companies Are Hiring People with Computer Science Degrees?
Many people immediately think of FAANG and Silicon Valley tech startups when thinking about what companies hire people with computer science degrees. However, these are not the only companies out there. In fact, some FAANG companies don’t rank in the top 10 companies hiring computer scientists.
FAANG: Facebook (now Meta), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google.Every computing professional has their dream company or university they’d like to work for. Here are a few additional recommendations for companies you can explore for your future role.
- Quantinuum- the world's largest quantum computing company, focused on developing applications to solve the world's problems.
- Oppo- the world's leading smart device manufacturer and innovator.
- Hitachi- Hitachi commits to helping achieve a sustainable world and people's well-being by utilizing our breadth of digital and green technologies.
- Alibaba- a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, providing services to thousands of enterprises, developers, and government organizations in more than 200 countries and regions.
- Tableau-Tableau helps people see and understand data. As the world's leading analytics platform
- Computer Science Corporation (CSC)- Now known as DXC Technology, DXC delivers IT services company using the power of technology to build better futures for our customers, colleagues, environment, and communities.
- Microsoft- produces software, games, and applications for businesses and homes.
- General Dynamics- an aerospace and defense company producing products and services for aviation.
- Deloitte- offers financial and tax services and consulting for business around the globe.
- Raytheon- aerospace and defense conglomerate.
- Hewlett Packard- a technology company, delivering solutions for personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions
- Northrop Grumman- provides solutions for space, aeronautics, and defense.
- ManTech international- provides cyber, data collection, and analytics to the military.
Explore Fields and Careers in Computer Science and Engineering
As technology continues to expand, so do the career opportunities in computer science and engineering. Whether you’re looking to start a fresh career or aim to change career paths, the Computer Society delivers the resources that help you navigate the landscape.
Education
Enhance your resume with skills that validate and grow your expertise. Computing specialties require continued education in addition to degrees in higher education and/or extensive work experience. Staying up to date with the latest methodology and technology in your field will help you stand out among colleagues. Explore endless content from top industry and academic researchers in your specific field.
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Ways to Advance Your Career in Computer Science and Engineering
To get the most out of your career as an emerging professional, take advantage of the vast learning opportunities to grow your knowledge, network, and portfolio.
Hackathons
Hackathons are a great way to learn and grow by building things. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Hosted by IEEE Computer Chapters
- Devspace 2022- $14,000+ in prizes
- Dev Days 2022- $3,000 in prizes
- RIEEE Spring Hackathon: Codeavengers Assemble!- $220 in prizes
- Machine Learning
- Microsoft Azure Innovation Challenge - $11,000 in prizes
- Filecoin Integration Challenge - $28,000 in prizes
- ML Hacks - $2,140 in prizes
- Cybersecurity
- Microsoft Identity for All - $10,000 in prizes
- Hacking CFTs Challenge - £110 in prizes
- Quantum
- Q-munity Hack-Q-Thon - for high school and university students.
Fellowships
Computer science and tech fellowships are an opportunity for students, recent graduates, and graduate students to gain experience in their related fields. Additionally, fellowships are often paid or provide a stipend. They can also include benefits such as scholarships and funding for your research. Here are a few fellowships to consider:- MLH Fellowship - Learn software engineering through open source projects.
- Code2040 Fellows Program - career accelerator for Black and Latinx computer science students.
- Cybersecurity Talent Initiative - up to $75,000 in tuition assistance
- Columbia University Fully Funded PhD Program in Computer Science
- Meta Research PhD Fellowship Program - tuition assistance, stipend, and conference travel scholarship.
- Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology AI/ML Fellow
Publishing and Sharing your Research
Publishing your research, or future research, in a peer-reviewed journal helps disseminate information and allows the computing community to evaluate your findings.
The IEEE Computer Society publishes 37 journals along with 12 magazines. Here are a few tips to help your research is successfully accepted by a peer-reviewed journal.
The exciting aspect of today’s world is that researchers can now promote their work and easily create their online brand from their own devices. Social media is a great way to accomplish this; it’s easy, personable, and fully in your control. We encourage you to be advocates for your own discovery journey, sharing your contributions, insights, and work with your online community.
Building your online persona by sharing your research can:
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- Broaden Your Network: With the power of social media, you have the ability to connect with people from all over the world. This can include future collaborators, partners, or researchers that can give you more insight about what you’re currently working on.
- Improve Your Discoverability: By using relevant hashtags and connecting with people within your discipline, your work has the potential to reach many like-minded individuals.
- Stay in Tune with New Opportunities: Social media is a great way to connect with potential stakeholders and stay aware of potential funding or grant offers.
- Open Discussion & Feedback: Sharing your work on social media is a quicker way to receive feedback for your research and can open a discussion that may lead you towards new insights that you wouldn’t have gotten from your immediate circle.
Create a caption:
When sharing your work with a broader audience, it’s important to keep in mind that those who see it may be less specialized within your particular field. For this reason, try presenting your work in easy-to-understand terms. Instead of only telling what your paper is about, try being relatable and highlight why these findings should matter to your audience. Remember, there’s a limited character amount. It’s okay if you can’t describe your findings all in one post. You can space out the information, keeping your audience engaged by sharing new content over time, all relating to one subject.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:
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- Include the link to your article from the Computer Society Digital Library or Xplore (C).
- Lead with the most exciting or interesting finding reported in your article to capture your reader’s attention.
- Tie your findings to a provocative question or a compelling vision of the future.
- Share your research results and how it relates to current issues.
- Engage with someone else’s research (and make sure you tag them!)
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Tag relevant accounts and use hashtags:
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- Tag the Computer Society and your co-authors in the post.
- Twitter: @ComputerSociety
- Facebook: @ieeecomputersociety
- LinkedIn: @IEEE Computer Society
- Use #IEEECS and #IEEE to reach the IEEE Computer Society’s network.
- Use keywords as additional hashtags that relate to your article’s topic.
- Use a hashtag tool like hashtagify.me to help find more relevant terms
- Tag the Computer Society and your co-authors in the post.
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Include an image or video:
Even when sharing your research on Twitter and LinkedIn, imagery or videos can help your work stand out amongst the sea of posts from everyone else. Try including an image using the suggestions below:
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- Use the IEEE Social Media and Communications Toolkit for editable templates and imagery.
- Include a figure or graphic from your paper.
- Create a graphic using a template from canva.com
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Pursuing an Advanced Degree in Computer Science
Choosing to pursue a graduate degree in computer science or a related field is dependent on the career path you pursue. If you choose a path in research or academia, then rest assured that a graduate degree and published research will be required to advance. Additionally, in a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, by 2026, jobs requiring at least a master’s degree are projected to grow by 16%. And to no surprise, software engineering is on this list. Get an idea of what current employers require from top-tier candidates by browsing our partners’ job openings.
Soft Skills
Successful engineers are often skilled communicators. Companies have reported that developing soft skills like communication, empathy, and conflict resolution can vastly improve collaboration and work output. We’ve partnered with educators whose specialty is improving the soft skills of computing professionals.
- Build Your Career Webinars Interactive webinars are presented every month allowing live viewers to ask direct questions on their careers and necessary skills.
- Tech News for Career Development Subscribe and follow our blog specifically tailored to help you build your career. Read interviews from top tier professionals like Susan Landau.
- Workshops and Mentorships at Conferences An open secret within professionals is the extensive opportunities provided at conferences. Visit our calendar to find a conference in your field. These often contain essential workshops and mentorship programs everyone in their early career should take advantage of.
- Student & Young Professionals Activities Committee See what the committee is working on and join their micro-mentoring program. You can also check out more resources and benefits on the IEEE YP launch pad.
More Ways to Connect
& Advance
Now is the perfect time to prepare. We think you will find these resources helpful to plan your next big move.
- Search upcoming conferences in your field
- Create a profile on the IEEE CS Career Center and receive a complimentary resume review while you search open job listings.
