Question about CS grad entry level jobs

[angrynapkin]

Hey guys, I'm a 3rd year computer science at a 4 year university. Because I'm a bachelor of science, I've taken science major calc I and II, statistics, physics I and II, chem, bio I and II, etc. I've heard a lot of complaints from other schools that they deal with mostly theory. Well, all of my CS classes have been and will be held in labs with a machine in front of you, so I feel lucky in that regard. Right now I'm learning C, Assembly, memory, etc. in System Arch, and in other classes it's C#, and other classes it's networking, databases -- in other words, it's extremely broad and I feel like I'm learning an insane amount of material.

I've been looking at some entry level jobs and they seem focused on one skill (with the exception of sys admin, how are their prospects looking anyway?). With such a wide umbrella of learning, I'm not sure what field and where I should be looking. I love my major, so I feel comfortable aiming for a starting salary in the mid 40's or higher (I find the ones that are in CS for the money drop out of the major very, very quickly). I'd also love to get my MBA with some sort of IT certification attatched to it. I'm just confused as to how I'll rank as a prospect after I graduate and what in the world I want to do.

If you guys that have been in the field for a while or recent CS grads could describe what you do and why you I love it I'd really appreciate it. I have advising this afternoon so I'd love to walk in with some detailed, pointed questions.

[nemowolf]

What your learning isnt going to matter so much as what your major is called. Sure your in a lab, but labs are designed in a perfect environment with structured errors and recovery. That does not take it much further passed theory, aka its not real world.

Salary is going to vary by where you are, what kind of company you get into, what job your doing. I make the mid 40s and im doing help desk ... I am also in california so im sure you can figure that for most other states im making way too much.

The problem with giving you advice is its all personal on which route you might want to take. Personally, a year ago i was happy doing help desk and now i want to learn more about infrastructure and the overall engineering/design of networks. Big jump huh? The best recommendation is internships. Get out there and put what you learned to the test and maybe make a buck or two while your at it. You might find that once you start doing something, you hate it because its much different in the real world then in the lab. Explore your options and then start to concentrate.

[jkrohn]

What do you want to do with your degree?

Your college should offer career services, take advantage of them. Also go to the job fairs your college puts on (the ones for CS) and it will give you a better idea of what is out there.

[famosbrown]

You should be able to find plenty of college entry level management/engineer development positions. Companies like Google only hire people with 4 year degrees. Microsoft, the FEderal Government, and many other companies have college graduate recruitment with pretty good pay starting out. Here are a couple of links to the two companies I mentioned.

Microsoft College Careers - Career Opportunities

http://www.dfas.mil/careers/college.html


Do some research...so many opportunities out there!!

[nemowolf]

You should be able to find plenty of college entry level management/engineer development positions. Companies like Google only hire people with 4 year degrees. Microsoft, the FEderal Government, and many other companies have college graduate recruitment with pretty good pay starting out. Here are a couple of links to the two companies I mentioned.

Microsoft College Careers - Career Opportunities

http://www.dfas.mil/careers/college.html


Do some research...so many opportunities out there!!

Google does not ONLY hire people with 4 year degrees. They have a strong preference for finding people with degrees as with any company, but a strong enough work history and experience level will beat that out.

[famosbrown]

Google does not ONLY hire people with 4 year degrees. They have a strong preference for finding people with degrees as with any company, but a strong enough work history and experience level will beat that out.

As I stated in my post...many companies are recruiting college graduates right out college to train them to be the future leaders of tomorrow...another example below for a Federal Government Agency.

http://www.dfas.mil/careers/college/graduates.html

[carolP]

AT&T also has several positions that you might be interested in checking out, check out their technical and engineering jobs they give fairly detailed descriptions of what they require for each position. Good luck to you!

[ronaldmoore]

I am enrolled for a CS degree from California College San Diego, I was pretty much in the same position you are in right now. The theoretical knowledge is sound but the path to be chosen is a bit confusing espeically in these rough economic times. As someone else mentioned on this thread... speak to your college counselor. In my case, the college has a job assistance cell that guides you on what jobs you should apply for or are eligible for and how to prepare for them. I think a counselor would be the best bet for you as well.