READY FOR LIFE READY FOR LIFE AFTERAFTER CIS? CIS? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW! WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Jason T. Black, CISJason T. Black, CIS

September 22, 2004September 22, 2004

Professional Development ForumProfessional Development Forum

OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK

IntroductionIntroduction

What What ISIS Computer Science Really? Computer Science Really?

How do I Prepare for CIS Careers?How do I Prepare for CIS Careers?

What Jobs are Out There For Me?What Jobs are Out There For Me?

What do the Salaries Look Like?What do the Salaries Look Like?

Does FAMU’s CIS Does FAMU’s CIS REALLYREALLY Prepare Me? Prepare Me?

Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

INTRODUCTION – Who Am I?INTRODUCTION – Who Am I?

I am “one of you”I am “one of you” Major – CIS Business optionMajor – CIS Business option Internships (Life Gets Better)Internships (Life Gets Better) Clubs / organizations / “College Life”Clubs / organizations / “College Life” Graduated 1991Graduated 1991

Masters Masters Georgia Tech (Software Engineering, 1992)Georgia Tech (Software Engineering, 1992)

Ph.D.Ph.D. Florida State University (Ed. Tech., Dec, 04)Florida State University (Ed. Tech., Dec, 04)

Both M.S. and Ph.D. were in Computer Science Both M.S. and Ph.D. were in Computer Science DepartmentsDepartments

SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE?SCIENCE?

Start with what it is NOT:Start with what it is NOT: Not “Study of computers”Not “Study of computers”

Little significance with ComputersLittle significance with Computers Not “Programming”Not “Programming”

Has programming at core, but majority of time Has programming at core, but majority of time not spent on programmingnot spent on programmingProgramming taught at Community CollegeProgramming taught at Community College

Not “use and application of computers and Not “use and application of computers and software”software”

These are tools used by computer scientistsThese are tools used by computer scientists

SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SO, WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE?SCIENCE?

So, What So, What ISIS it? it?Definition (freedictionary.com):Definition (freedictionary.com): Branch of engineering sciences that Branch of engineering sciences that

studies (with the aid of computers) studies (with the aid of computers) computable computable processesprocesses and and structuresstructures

Study of Study of algorithms, algorithms, including:including:Formal and math propertiesFormal and math propertiesHardware realizationsHardware realizationsLinguistic realizationsLinguistic realizationsApplications Applications

DIFFERENCES IN CIS AND CSDIFFERENCES IN CIS AND CS

CIS (Computer Information Systems)CIS (Computer Information Systems) Basic core courses same as CSBasic core courses same as CS Exposure to languagesExposure to languages Immediate employment / MBA ProgramImmediate employment / MBA Program

CIS (Computer Information Sciences)CIS (Computer Information Sciences) Same core coursesSame core courses Exposure to languages and theory of CSExposure to languages and theory of CS Graduate School / ResearchGraduate School / Research

CIS (Science tract) is more related to CIS (Science tract) is more related to Computer ScienceComputer Science

AREAS OF COMPUTER AREAS OF COMPUTER SCIENCESCIENCE

Core Areas:Core Areas: Algorithms and data structureAlgorithms and data structure Programming languagesProgramming languages Computer architectureComputer architecture Operating systemsOperating systems

Additional:Additional: Software engineeringSoftware engineering Database / information managementDatabase / information management Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence GraphicsGraphics Network / internet computingNetwork / internet computing Mobile computingMobile computing

AREAS OF COMPUTER AREAS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (CONT.)SCIENCE (CONT.)

Areas not really CS, but CLOSE!Areas not really CS, but CLOSE! Computer Information SystemsComputer Information Systems Educational TechnologyEducational Technology Human-Computer InteractionHuman-Computer Interaction Electrical and Computer EngineeringElectrical and Computer Engineering Scientific ComputingScientific Computing

All Areas Require:All Areas Require: Problem-solving / reasoningProblem-solving / reasoning CreativityCreativity Theory / researchTheory / research

CS CAREERSCS CAREERS

Computer ProgrammersComputer Programmers Application, system, networkApplication, system, network Almost 500,000 in 2002Almost 500,000 in 2002 B.S. degrees almost 50%; M.S. almost 20%B.S. degrees almost 50%; M.S. almost 20% Drawbacks:Drawbacks:

Long hours, minimal payLong hours, minimal payLimited advancementLimited advancementOutsourcingOutsourcingConsultantsConsultants

Earnings:Earnings:Average: $60,290Average: $60,29050% between $45K and $78K50% between $45K and $78KMinimum Average: $35KMinimum Average: $35KHighest 10%: $95KHighest 10%: $95K

CS CAREERS (cont.)CS CAREERS (cont.)

Software Engineers / Systems AnalystsSoftware Engineers / Systems Analysts B.S. degree: almost 80%B.S. degree: almost 80% Almost 700,000 employed in 2002Almost 700,000 employed in 2002

~400,000 applications; ~300,000 systems~400,000 applications; ~300,000 systems Found in corporate, academic and research arenasFound in corporate, academic and research arenas Almost 21,000 were consultantsAlmost 21,000 were consultants At least B.S. with experience with systemsAt least B.S. with experience with systems Increased focus on Increased focus on Computer SecurityComputer Security

Often requires advanced degrees and experienceOften requires advanced degrees and experience IEEE certification (training)IEEE certification (training) Requires STRONG problem-solving and analytical skills, Requires STRONG problem-solving and analytical skills,

communicationcommunication Entry-level: testing; experience controls advancementEntry-level: testing; experience controls advancement Earnings:Earnings:

Average: $70KAverage: $70KMiddle 50%: $55K - $88KMiddle 50%: $55K - $88KEntry: $44KEntry: $44KHighest: $110KHighest: $110K

CS CAREERS (cont.)CS CAREERS (cont.)

Information Management SpecialistsInformation Management Specialists Database administrators, Information research specialists, Database administrators, Information research specialists,

systems supportsystems support Employment in 2002:Employment in 2002:

DB: 110,000DB: 110,000Research specialists: 23,000Research specialists: 23,000Systems Support: 192,000Systems Support: 192,000

Increasing employment with Internet providersIncreasing employment with Internet providers Requires B.S. in CS, IS, MIS, or CISRequires B.S. in CS, IS, MIS, or CIS

Increased interest in M.S. in BA (Business Admin.)Increased interest in M.S. in BA (Business Admin.)Webmasters: associates degree or certificationWebmasters: associates degree or certificationResearch: Ph.D.Research: Ph.D.

Earnings:Earnings:Average: $62KAverage: $62KMiddle 50%: $49K - $78KMiddle 50%: $49K - $78KEntry: $39KEntry: $39KHighest: $93KHighest: $93KFederal Govt: $68KFederal Govt: $68KState Govt: 45KState Govt: 45KWith Grad Degree: $69K to $101KWith Grad Degree: $69K to $101K

CS CAREERSCS CAREERS

Hardware EngineersHardware Engineers Computer engineers, system engineers, electrical engineersComputer engineers, system engineers, electrical engineers ~40% work in computer/electronic manufacturing~40% work in computer/electronic manufacturing ~25% work in professional, scientific and technical firms~25% work in professional, scientific and technical firms ~75,000 jobs in 2002~75,000 jobs in 2002 Competition overseasCompetition overseas Earnings:Earnings:

Average: $72KAverage: $72KMiddle 50%: $56K to $91KMiddle 50%: $56K to $91KEntry: $45KEntry: $45KHighest: $115KHighest: $115KSemiconductors: $76KSemiconductors: $76KEquipment manufacturing: $75KEquipment manufacturing: $75KSystems design: $74KSystems design: $74KWith Grad Degree: $65KWith Grad Degree: $65K

CS CAREERSCS CAREERS

Hot Emerging Areas:Hot Emerging Areas: Computer SecurityComputer Security Mobile Computing / Wireless ProgrammingMobile Computing / Wireless Programming Graphics Graphics Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence Consulting (???)Consulting (???)

MEDIAN SALARY COMPARISONMEDIAN SALARY COMPARISON

By State (B.S. in CS):By State (B.S. in CS): California - $80KCalifornia - $80K New York - $60KNew York - $60K Texas - $63.5KTexas - $63.5K Florida - $56KFlorida - $56K Michigan - $59KMichigan - $59K Virginia - $65.5KVirginia - $65.5K

By City (B.S. in CS)By City (B.S. in CS) New York - $75.5KNew York - $75.5K Seattle - $70KSeattle - $70K San Fran - $80KSan Fran - $80K San Jose - $98KSan Jose - $98K Chicago - $70KChicago - $70K Dallas - $74.2KDallas - $74.2K Washington - $75KWashington - $75K

HOW DO YOU PREPARE HOW DO YOU PREPARE (while at FAMU)?(while at FAMU)?

Talk to counselors, teachersTalk to counselors, teachersExamine course catalog / Plan WELL!Examine course catalog / Plan WELL!

Department curriculumDepartment curriculum Critical thinking coursesCritical thinking courses

InternshipsInternshipsBalance “training” with “good education”Balance “training” with “good education”Technical SkillsTechnical Skills

Oracle, C++, Java, Visual Basic, UNIX, WindowsOracle, C++, Java, Visual Basic, UNIX, Windows

Non-Technical SkillsNon-Technical Skills Professionalism, etiquette, oral/written skills, Professionalism, etiquette, oral/written skills,

clubs/activitiesclubs/activities

Make contacts with professionalsMake contacts with professionalsKeep abreast of new technologiesKeep abreast of new technologiesInterview, Interview, Interview!!!Interview, Interview, Interview!!!

Words of WarningWords of Warning

Things that can affect employment:Things that can affect employment: Economy is cyclicalEconomy is cyclical Growth in some areas of minimal Growth in some areas of minimal OutsourcingOutsourcing Government Government Focuses in technologyFocuses in technology

Ways to be ready for down trendsWays to be ready for down trends Best credentialsBest credentials Prepare for worst-case scenarioPrepare for worst-case scenario

HOW TO GET A JOBHOW TO GET A JOB(After FAMU)(After FAMU)

Things to consider BEFORE interviewing:Things to consider BEFORE interviewing: Self-AssessmentSelf-Assessment

Match Match YOURYOUR skills with the career of your choice skills with the career of your choice Set your CAREER goalsSet your CAREER goals

Once you have an offer:Once you have an offer: Weigh Salary .vs. Cost-Of-LivingWeigh Salary .vs. Cost-Of-Living Examine environment / localeExamine environment / locale Opportunities for advancementOpportunities for advancement Number of minoritiesNumber of minorities

Select company that satisfies all of the aboveSelect company that satisfies all of the above

WORDS OF WARNING (cont.)WORDS OF WARNING (cont.)

Other issues:Other issues: Still lack of qualified computer science Still lack of qualified computer science

graduatesgraduates Still too few students going to graduate Still too few students going to graduate

schoolschool Students with college degrees best Students with college degrees best

candidatescandidates Avoid downsizing:Avoid downsizing:

Be BEST-PREPAREDBe BEST-PREPAREDKeep Busy!!Keep Busy!!Think in terms of CAREER, not JOB!Think in terms of CAREER, not JOB!Consider Graduate School (Careful!)Consider Graduate School (Careful!)

SHOULD I GO TO GRADUATE SHOULD I GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?SCHOOL?

Benefits:Benefits: Increased career choicesIncreased career choices FinancialFinancial Contribution to the fieldContribution to the field FlexibilityFlexibility Giving back (academia)Giving back (academia)

But is it right for But is it right for MEME?? CostCost Time Time Lifestyle changeLifestyle change BackgroundBackground AvailabilityAvailability

Answer: depends on YOU!Answer: depends on YOU!

SO, DOES FAMU PREPARE YOU SO, DOES FAMU PREPARE YOU FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?

IndustryIndustry Yes, but depends on YOU!Yes, but depends on YOU! Number of graduates in workforceNumber of graduates in workforce Curriculum consistent with needs of corporate Curriculum consistent with needs of corporate

worldworld

Graduate SchoolGraduate School Again, YES, depending on YOU!Again, YES, depending on YOU! Science tract consistent with most CS programsScience tract consistent with most CS programs Diversity of students in grad programsDiversity of students in grad programs Number of M.S. recipientsNumber of M.S. recipients I AM LIVING PROOF!!! I AM LIVING PROOF!!!

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?