Why Get a Computer Science Degree?
Upswing in University Campus, Online Computer Science Graduates
Sep 6, 2009
Three factors can be traced to the moderate rebound:
- Curriculum shifts and technological facilities such as supercomputers that meet broader interests by students and employers;
- A vastly improved job market for computer science graduates and;
- Better marketing and communications to future students about a computer science career
The Computer Research Association’s annual study revealed that computer science degree enrollment numbers have stabilized and are increasing slightly. In 1999, universities pumped out 13,798 computer science graduates. At the peak of the dot-com boom in 2000, the number of graduates grew to 15,958.
Computer science graduates steadily declined to a low of 7,840 in 2006 however, the numbers began to trend up with 7,915 graduates in 2007.
Computer Science Degree Popularity Rebounds With Improved Job Market
The difficulties with the computer science field began in 2000 with the failed dot-coms industry, resulting in a diminished job market. Graduates were suddenly faced with a skills in a field already filled with experienced and qualified computer scientists.
Today, the job market has almost completely reversed as employers scour universities seeking computer science graduates and those with a computer science major to fill positions.
In its employment projections for 2006-2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that IT jobs will have high salaries and more than twice the growth rate as the overall workforce.
Its projections were that five of the 30 occupations predicted to grow faster in that 10-year period are in the information technology field.
Computer Science Graduates Land Lucrative Computer Jobs
The University of Waterloo, a leader in research innovation and computer science education in Canada, lists sample jobs on its website that were secured by recent computer science graduates:
- VP Software, Research in Motion
- Head of Digital Imagery, National Film Board of Canada
- Software Engineer, IBM
- Senior Lecturer, Victoria University of Wellington
- Manager, Animation Research and Development, Pixar Animation Studios
- Research Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- System Design Engineer, Microsoft Corporation
Job prospects for computer science graduates appear rosy and salaries are increasing. Robert Half Technology, in its 2008 IT Salary Guide, notes that chief information officers seeking to hire skilled IT professionals paid 5.3% more than the previous year.
Online, Campus Universities, Colleges Produce High-Paying Computer Science Graduates
Lead application developers, those who manage software development teams and projects, application architects, web developers, network and database administrators appear to be the highest demand, and highest paying computer science jobs.
Computer science degree programs at universities across North America are again popular with students. The enrollment turnaround, while modest, is being felt at not only large, doctoral granting universities but at smaller universities, colleges and institutions that offer online computer science degrees.
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