The Computer Software Engineering profession will have much faster than average growth through 2016, according to The US Department of Labor. The number of jobs is projected to grow by 37.9% between 2000 and 2010. “There will be strong demand for software engineers as businesses and other organizations continue to adopt and integrate new technologies.”
As of May 2007, there were 18,860 computer software engineers in the applications category in Ohio, not including self-employed workers. Nationwide, the median average earnings are $79,780.
The following information was compiled from http://www.bls.gov/emp/
What’s the Job Like?
Computer software engineers “develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.”
As with most occupations, advancement opportunities for computer software engineers increase with experience. Entry-level computer software engineers often test designs, but ass they become more experienced, they begin to help design and develop software. They can advance to a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer role, especially if they have business skills and training. With several years of experience or expertise, there are lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or independent consultants.
What Kind of Training, Education and Skills are Required?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science and practical experience working with computers. Nearly 85% of job holders aged 25-44 have a bachelor’s degree. The usual college major for applications software engineers is computer science or software engineering. Systems software engineers often study computer science or computer information systems. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex jobs. In 2006, about 80 percent of workers had a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Academic programs in software engineering may offer the program as a degree option or in conjunction with computer science degrees. Because of increasing emphasis on computer security, software engineers with advanced degrees in areas such as mathematics and systems design will be sought after by software developers, government agencies, and consulting firms.
Most employers prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor’s degree and broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies. Students seeking software engineering jobs enhance their employment opportunities by participating in internships or co-ops. These experiences provide students with broad knowledge and experience, making them more attractive to employers. Inexperienced college graduates may be hired by large computer and consulting firms that train new employees in intensive, company-based programs.
People interested in jobs as computer software engineers must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. They also must be able to communicate effectively with team members, other staff, and the customers they meet. Because they often deal with a number of tasks simultaneously, they must be able to concentrate and pay close attention to detail.
To help keep up with changing technology, workers may take continuing education and professional development seminars offered by employers, software vendors, colleges and universities, private training institutions, and professional computing societies. Computer software engineers also need skills related to the industry in which they work.
Where in Northeast Ohio can I Major in Computer Science or Software Engineering?
According to The College Board, the following colleges near Northeast Ohio offer a major in Computer Engineering, Computer Software or Software Engineering:
Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
Bowling Green State University: Firelands College, Huron, OH
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Cuyahoga Community College: Eastern Campus, Highland Hills, OH
North Central State College, Mansfield, OH
Ohio Business College: Sandusky, Sandusky, OH
Owens Community College: Toledo, Toledo, OH
Penn State Beaver, Monaca, PA
Penn State Shenango, Sharon, PA
Stark State College of Technology, North Canton, OH
University of Akron, Akron, OH
University of Toledo Toledo, OH
Wayne County Community College Detroit, MI
Youngstown State University,Youngstown, OH
In exploring these programs, it’s always a good idea to speak directly to the faculty and current or recently graduated students to fully understand:
- Whether the program has an applications or hardware emphasis,
- What the job placement rate is of the graduates
- What specials features, such as internship support, are provided by the college and what the “hallmarks” of the program are.
Academic program rankings are not easy to find, but contacting the professional development department in a trade association is usually a good way to get some unbiased opinions.
Who Employs Computer Software Engineers?
The industries that have the most openings for computer software engineers, in the applications classification, are as follows:
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
168,080 jobs
$41.40 average hourly wage
$86,110 average annual wage
Software Publishers
35,940 jobs
$42.77 average hourly wage
$88,970 average annual wage
Management of Companies and Enterprises
26,610 jobs
$40.93 average hourly wage
$85,130 average annual wage
Insurance Carriers
17,590 jobs
$37.98 average hourly wage
$79,000 average annual wage
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
15,360 jobs
$45.27 average hourly wage
$94,160 averqage annual wage
What are the Job Expectations?
In the Computer Systems Design and Related Services Industry, workers averaged 38.3 hours per week, compared with 33.9 for all industries combined. Many workers in this industry worked more than the standard 40-hour work week—about 19 percent work 50 or more hours a week. For many professionals and technical specialists, evening or weekend work is commonly necessary to meet deadlines or solve problems. Professionals working for large establishments may have less freedom in planning their schedule than do consultants for very small firms, whose work may be more varied. Only about 7 percent of the workers in the computer systems design and related services industry work part time, compared with 15 percent of workers throughout all industries.
Most workers in the computer systems design and related services industry work in clean, quiet offices. Those in facilities management and maintenance may work in computer operations centers. Given the technology available today, however, more work can be done from remote locations using fax machines, e-mail, and especially the Internet. For example, systems analysts may work from home with their computers linked directly to computers at their employer or a client. Computer support specialists, likewise, can tap into a customer’s computer remotely in order to identify and fix problems. Even programmers and consultants, who often relocate to a customer’s place of business while working on a project, may perform work from offsite locations.
Those who work with personal computers for extended periods may experience musculoskeletal strain, eye problems, stress, or repetitive motion illnesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Further information about computer careers is available from:
http://www.bls.gov/emp/
Association for Computing Machinery, 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701, New York, NY 10121-0701. Internet: http://www.acm.org/
National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE., Bellevue, WA 98007. Internet: http://www.nwcet.org/
University of Washington Computer Science and Engineering Department, AC101 Paul G. Allen Center, Box 352350, 185 Stevens Way, Seattle, WA 98195-2350. Internet: http://www.cs.washington.edu/WhyCSE/
Jill Bernaciak
Owner
http://www.whatsyourmajor.net/
440-668-3446
What's Your Major? SM
P.O. Box 321
Berea, OH 44017-9918
My mission is to empower youth with: - The knowledge about career possibilities, and the education and training needed to attain them - The creative-thinking and emotional skills that make for good career decisions and which employers prefer; - And the resilience needed to flourish in life.
