computer science and engineering
“More Americans are employed in IT than at any time in the nation’s history.”
—InformationWeek, April 18, 2006
At the University of South Carolina, an undergraduate degree in computing provides an excellent starting place for a career field in which substantial growth is predicted. Computing professions draw on a wide variety of talents and interests. For example, scientific computing professionals need a strong background in mathematics, while those working in areas such as user interfaces need a strong background in social sciences and communication.
At USC you can combine a major in computing with a major or minor in another discipline to increase your marketability. These degree options allow you to combine the study of computing with intensive study in another area. For example, a combination of biology and computing provides an excellent background for bioinformatics or medicine.
CNN.com identifies the following five computing jobs as among the top 10 fastest-growing jobs. Salaries shown are median annual salaries according to recent U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- computer systems software engineer, $81,140
- computer applications software engineer, $76,310
- computer systems analyst, $67,520
- database administrator, $61,950
- network systems and data communications analyst, $61,250
There are more jobs predicted in computing than in all other fields of science and engineering combined. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts substantial growth in the following occupational categories:
- computer and information systems managers
- computer software engineers
- computer scientists and database administrators
- computer support specialists and systems administrators
- computer systems analysts.