In August 2008, Payscale, Inc. released its annual rankings for college majors that result in the highest salaries, based on data from 10 million users.
When looking at private sector jobs (excluding social work and education) and excluding graduate degrees, Computer Engineering is one of the highest paid occupations with the greatest demand. Furthermore, Computer Engineering achieves this salary range in under five years of experience.
The only downside of this occupation is that job growth isn’t particularly high and salaries don’t tend to grow with experience.
According to the College Board, "Computer engineering technology students learn the technical skills they need to help computer engineers design computer hardware and software. Class topics include computer electronics and programming, computer installation and testing, and report writing."
Nearest to Northeast Ohio, the Firelands campus of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Huron offers an associate degree in Computer Engineering. For information, contact:
Admission Office
One University Drive
Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-5560
Fax: (419) 372-0604 fireadm@bgsu.edu
Contact: Debralee Divers Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
According to the IEEE Computer Society:
"Computers are used in almost every aspect of today’s life: in automobile engines, microwave ovens, video games, watches, telephones, desktops at home and work, mainframe computers in government and industry, and in supercomputers extending the frontiers of science and technology. The computer, network and Internet industries are the fastest growing segments of our economy and of the new millennium."
BGSU says that "students who are interested in computer and network engineering technology can pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate degree. Technologists with the bachelor’s degree may work creating scientific and engineering advances or producing high quality products and are more likely than the technician to take on a project-leadership role after a year or two of experience.
A student with a two-year degree can enter the industry as a member of an engineering team working with engineers, technologists and other engineering technicians. Technicians are often involved in the maintenance, repair, installation, industrial application, testing, trouble-shooting, sales and field service of computer and network systems. They are expected to keep up with the latest technological advancements.
Typical job titles include: computer systems specialist, computer support specialist, computer maintenance technician, software engineering technician, installation technician, field engineer, field service representative, systems integrator and applications specialist, and systems support technician."
BGSU's Program Requirements Include:
Communications (6 hours minimum), General Studies (6 hours minimum), Basic Courses (20 hours minimum) and Electronics and Computer Technology Major (37 hours minimum) covering:
Design (DESN 104)Manufacturing (MFG 112) or Basic Computer-Aided Design (DESN 131)Energy, Power, Instrumentation and Control (ECT 191)
Electric Circuits (ECT 240)
Electronic Circuits (ECT 241)
Digital Electronic Components and Systems (ECT 249)
Real Time Microcomputer Systems for Industrial Control (ECT 250)
Programmable Logic Controllers (ECT 310 or ECT 248)
Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation (ECT 247)
Digital Computer Analysis (ECT 349)
Network & Internet Principles (CST 181)
Network & Internet Implementation (CST 281)
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Dept. of Labor expects the computer and network engineering technology career to be the fastest growing field well into the 21st century. According to the latest figures from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, computer support specialists and computer engineers are the top two fastest growing occupations through 2008. Projected growth employment rates exceed 90 percent.
So, knowing the trade-offs in picking a major is critical. If you’re out for the quickest return on your investment in college, and you’re willing to stick out a tough academic program, don’t want to pursue a graduate degree and are fascinated with how computers work, Computer Engineering could be the perfect choice for you!
Sources:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=5304488
http://www.firelands.bgsu.edu/academics/asas_eeet-ect.html
www.collegeboard.com
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