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Career Opportunities For


Computer Science
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Tori Casados
CSIS 1030-504
Professor Robert Baird
April 20, 2018

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It is no secret that the utilization of technology in our every day life is on the rise, so it

should not come as a surprise that careers within the industry will be one of the most secure and

lucrative. Computer Science graduates have an advantage in today’s workforce as they are

among the highest paid majors, while being employed in companies that offer a wide range of

benefits and perks. Software Engineering, Database Management, Network Administration and

Cyber Security are just a few of the different facets that make up the global $4.8 trillion industry.

For example, the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea boasted the worlds most

technologically advanced games to date. (Natasha Turak, "The Coolest Tech Innovations You'll

See at South Korea 2018 Winter Olympics", CNBC.com) With the help of giant technology

companies such as Intel, LG and Samsung, robots helped guide guests through the olympic

venues by helping translate travel and schedule questions in five languages. Squat bots were

created for the reporters at the games who need to track Olympic news in real-time. Other robots

were programmed to clean high traffic areas and roam event halls offering beverages. (Rose

Minutaglio, "All the Robots Taking Over the PyeongChangvWinter Olympics ,

popularmechanics.com) Autonomous electric cars/buses took game visitors to and from each

venue; while event security used drones to patrol from a birds eye view. Operating and

monitoring the large amount of data involved with the Olympics was managed in a Cloud, which

translated event results to the media in 0.3 seconds. Using 360-degree Virtual Reality cameras,

viewers were able to watch the major events in Ultra-High Definition, four times higher than

HD.

Managing the data capacity of an Olympic event required an innovative approach paired

with next generation networking. The pressing challenges facing the organizers of each Olympic

Games are to further secure operations and contain costs. The 2018 Winter Olympics marked the
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first time all information technology applications were handled within the Cloud. (Natasha

Turak, "The Coolest Tech Innovations You'll See at South Korea 2018 Winter Olympics",

CNBC.com) The variation in data peaks paired with flexibility of Cloud infrastructure satisfied

the unique demands of such an event. All of which utilized technology based upon a computer

science discipline of some sort.

One example of said disciplines is Software Engineering. An engineer working at Intel

receives a starting salary of $70,000 annually and can earn up to $155,000. Samsung offers

$90,000 to $123,000 and LG averages $76,000 to $121,000. Software is deployed in almost all

technology today through applications and computer systems. It can be applied in technology

such as robotics, point of sale systems, tablets, phones, and computers. A Computer Science

graduate taking on a Software Engineering position will be focused on the software

development process; research, design, coding, testing and modifying of a program based off

required specifications. Fluency in one or more core programming language such as C++, Java,

or Python is a skill that they will possess. Seventy one percent of STEM degree jobs are in

computing and twenty seven percent of those are in software. ("Stem Jobs through 2108",

yourblackparachute.com) In comparison, graduates with degrees in Art History, Exercise

Science or Religious studies report low starting and mid-career salaries in the $36,000 to $60,00

range, a stark contrast considering the cost of schooling can be near the same.

Database Administrators tend to be highly trained in structured query language and

computer systems that use specialized software for storing and organizing data. Because data

storage is critical to many companies Data Administrators (DBA’s) are in high demand and can

earn $70,000 per year to start; some senior positions offering six figures. Administrators

responsibilities include the security, functionality, and search-ability of the companies database.

The position may also include planning, installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and data
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recovery. While employers prefer DBA’s to have a bachelors degree, anyone with prior industry

experience or knowledge can earn a certificate through a program that lasts a year. Most

businesses are moving towards a Cloud based storage solution as Cloud storage that can be used

not only as a back-up plan but also provide a solution to reducing costs. These files are stored at

a remote location and can be accessed through an internet connection.

Graduates with an emphasis in Networking can find careers with salaries that range

between $48,000-$88,000 annually. The Network Administrator’s duties begin by analyzing a

businesses system needs and assisting architects in designing and installing a network. They

manage the servers, desktop and mobile equipment, ensuring that communication and data

storage networks are functioning correctly. “PyeongChang was the first Olympics to run on a 5G

network which is expected to revolutionize the broadcasting industry because it is able to deliver

massive amounts of data needed for Virtual Reality or hologram services," Korean website

Yonhap News wrote. While it sounds far out most of the major events were broadcasted in 5G

because they were filmed using VR Cameras. The games were a testing site for a larger roll out

planned to debut in 2021.

The Olympics are meant to showcase each countries best athletes, yet in 2018, South

Korea offered a taste of the worlds technologic future. According to Forbes, the global

Cybersecurity market is expected to reach 170 billion by 2020. The disciplines quick growth is

being stimulated by a collection of technology trends and ever-changing security requirements.

(Laurence Bradford, "What You Need To Know About Cybersecurity In 2018," Forbes.com)

Information Technology is a major component of all business and it’s security is left up to a

unique group of men and women that possess what could be argued as “The most profitable skill

set” based upon industry demand and salary potential. A career in Cybersecurity has the potential
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to earn $96,000 a year with just a bachelors degree and experience. Classic job titles are

recognized as Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Security Administrator, Security Architect

and Security Specialist. Roles in the Cybersecurity field often involve overlapping

responsibilities. Most cybersecurity professionals have all of the skills that a software engineer

would plus an understanding of networking and data management. Because of this their skill set

can be extensive or specialized depending on the individual’s role within the company.

Students looking for a high income career with opportunity for growth should look into a

computer science field. In Code.org’s latest film short film, “What most schools don’t teach,”

Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook and other techies talk about the need for more

programmers. He states “Our policy is literally to hire as many talented engineers as we can

find, the whole limit in the system is just that there just aren’t enough people who are trained and

have these skills today.” Tech companies are competitively looking to bridge the unemployment

gap and are known for showering their employees with perks and by creating an incredible work

environment to recruit top engineers. ("Whats Wrong with This Picture?", Code.org/promote)

Furthermore, as the Olympics were broadcast worldwide the opportunity for a career is the

same. Technology use is not slowing anytime soon and people working in the industry will not

have a hard time finding and keeping a job. Todays Computer Science Graduates are projected to

have the greatest opportunity entering the workforce.

"Computer Science." Google Images, Google, images.google.com/ "5


Works Cited

“ Computer Science.” Georgia Department of Education, www.gadoe.org/Pages/Computer-


Science.aspx.
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“Stem Jobs Through 2018.” Your Black Parachute, yourblackparachute.com/uncategorized/
stem-jobs-through-20/.
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“Atos, IT Provider for Winter Olympics, Hacked Months before Opening Ceremony
Cyberattack.” Cyberscoop, 15 Feb. 2018, www.cyberscoop.com/atos-olympics-hack-olympic-
destroyer-malware-peyongchang/
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“Winter Olympics 2018 Critical Systems Will All Be in the Cloud.” ComputerWeekly.com,
www.computerweekly.com/news/450412629/Winter-Olympics-2018-critical-systems-will-all-
be-in-the-cloud.
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Turak, Natasha. “The Coolest Tech Innovations You'll See at South Korea's 2018 Winter
Olympics.” CNBC, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2018, www.cnbc.com/2018/02/08/the-coolest-tech-
innovations-youll-see-at-south-koreas-2018-winter-olympics.html
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Minutaglio, Rose. “All the Robots Taking Over the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.” Popular
Mechanics, Popular Mechanics, 22 Feb. 2018, www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/
a18463470/robots-winter-olympics-2018/
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Doyle, Alison. “Skills Software Engineer Need.” The Balance Careers,
www.thebalancecareers.com/software-engineer-skills-list-2062483.
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CodeOrg, director. YouTube. YouTube, YouTube, 26 Feb. 2013, www.youtube.com/
watch=what_schools_dont_teach
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“What's Wrong with This Picture?” Code.org, code.org/promote.
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“WHAT IS CYBERSECURITY?” What Is Cybersecurity? - Palo Alto Networks,
www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-cyber-security.
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Bradford, Laurence. “What You Need To Know About Cybersecurity In 2018.” Forbes, Forbes
Magazine, 11 Apr. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/laurencebradford/2018/03/30/why-people-
should-learn-about-cybersecurity-in-2018/.
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Study.com, Study.com, study.com/articles/
Database_Administrator_Job_Description_and_Requirements.html

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