In these modern times, when you look at the latest video game, start your car, microwave popcorn or even watch the latest footage from the NASA Space Platform, a computer software engineer had his or her work in it. Yes, we’re talking about all manner of hardware, i.e., the machinery itself, but that’s the domain of the computer hardware engineer. The software engineer is the person who gives the machinery its programming and its ability to do what it supposed to do (and sometimes what it isn’t supposed to).
Of all the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) professions, one of the fastest growing, as well as the most exciting, is computer software engineering. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2008, there were over 900,000 computer engineers in the U.S. That the occupation is projected to expand by 21% by 2018 should not come as a surprise to anyone who has been reading the news lately.
It should also be noted that while there are significant gray areas in the field. A computer engineer is not a computer scientist, who concentrates on the more theoretical side. He or she is also not a systems analyst, who use existing application or create new apps primarily for business applications.
Actually, the computer engineering profession then divides into two subcategories: applications engineers and systems engineers.The first group discerns a user’s needs, then creates and maintains software applications and programs. In the second case, systems people are in charge of the construction, maintenance, and expansion of computer systems, both hard and software. They also design and implement system security, data assurance, and internet/intranet.
Computer engineer futures are very promising. When it’s time to enter the workforce, recruiters look for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of a variety of computer systems and tech. An applications specialist’s majors should include a core of computer science, software engineering and/or mathematics courses. Systems software engineers’ core studies should include computer science and/or computer information systems. When one is shooting for more complex or advanced jobs, personnel with Masters or Ph.D.’s are preferred.
Compensation is well above the national norm. Entry level jobs usually have base salaries of a little over $50,000. The average computer engineer should expect a salary of just under $72,000. Top professionals can earn over $135,000. Along with the salaries come some very nice benefits, including health and life policies, profit sharing, other investment and retirement programs, continued education financial aid and other deals.
Everyone from government agencies to private companies are instilling financial aid programs for more of these people. There are scholarships for gifted high school grads to moneys for pros looking to get their Ph.D. Because of the category it falls under, more than the usual Pell and state grants are indicated. Check into such things as the National Science Foundation’s S-STEM scholarship. The occupation’s main certification program, the American Board for Engineering and Technology, is also a handy guide for scholastic assistance, as companies such as Microsoft, Intel and others have their own incentive programs.
In other words, you don’t have to be a kid with a closet full of energy drinks to know the future of computer engineers looks quite bright for some time to come. A wise choice for those interested in this field is to achieve your degree in technology. There’s an incredible need for more of them, and a career path in this profession is one with what looks like a great future. Your next employer will be may find someone with their online it degree a perfect fit. If you think you may be interested in getting into this field and would like to find more information about your STEM degree, check the internet.
Source:http://www.adult-education-online.info/education/become-a-computer-technology-specialist-with-your-associate-of-science-degree/
