Occupational Possibilities
Study in computer science provides the foundation for diverse occupations in the computer industry ranging from management to design, development, and maintenance. Other graduates move outside the computer industry to careers in areas such as library system design or genetic engineering.
The following list presents a sampling of such positions that computer science majors often accept. Some of the listed occupations may require additional skills, knowledge, or training. Advanced graduate study is generally expected for those positions marked with a * on the list.
Government and Public Sector - Communications control technician
- Public Health Service computer specialist
- Defense Department equipment analyst
- Systems programmer
- *Technical information specialist
- *Auditor
- Foundation information analyst
- *Air traffic controller
- *State budget office analyst
- Health information database designer
| Business and Technical - Technical support representative
- Computer graphics technician
- *Senior applications planner
- Operations manager
- *Research and development laboratory programmer
- Strategic analyst
- Marketing consultant
- Management information systems corporate officer
- Product manager
- Systems analyst
- Corporate security specialist
- *Electrical Engineer
- Telecommunications manager
|
Education and Communication - Editor, technical journal
- Graphic artist, computer aided design
- *Professor
- Training specialist
- Technical writer
- Computer assisted instruction curriculum developer
- *Integrated library software designer
- Artificial intelligence developer
| Research and Development - *Biomedical engineer
- *Expert systems designer
- *Genetic engineer
- Automated systems designer
- *Intellectual properties lawyer
- Applications programmer
- *Research assistant, phototronics
- Demographer
- *Statistician
|
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Skills and Abilities
In addition to developing technical, analytical, and evaluative skills, concentrators in computer science also gain a knowledge of design, systems analysis, and programming. These abilities may be applied to job responsibilities in many different ways. For example, a systems analyst, a high school teacher, and a graphic designer, although working in very different settings, might each frequently plan and coordinate a series of complex tasks. Some examples of skills gained through study in computer science follow.
Analysis - Identifying problems
- Thinking logically
- Conceptualizing complex systems
- Solving problems
- Assessing needs
- Reasoning algorithmically
- Testing solutions
| Communication - Writing documentation
- Explaining processes
- Writing/understanding computer languages and algorithms
- Describing technical information to non-technical personnel
|
Technical - Designing programs
- Evaluating software/systems
- Conducting feasibility studies
- Managing data bases
| Organizing - Attending to detail
- Coordinating tasks
- Working in teams
- Setting priorities
- Planning complex tasks
- Integrating different approaches
|
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Career Planning and Resources
Job Search
Professional Associations
For More Information
...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:
University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624
For information about majors and concentrations in computer science:
Computer Science Department
415 Snow Hall
(785) 864-4620
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