What can I do with a Computer Information degree?

[twells22]

My college only offers one computer degree and it's Computer Information Management, NOT Computer Science. What can I do with this degree and what should I expect to make?

 

[ck89102]

A person very rarely utilizes his degree major, per se. What do you think all those English or Psycology majors end up doing? Something other than their major, believe me. The degree will just give you a minimum starting point so you can get an interview. But hey, congrats on your degree. Beats being just a H.S. grad. And best of luck.


Added: I looked at your thread & developed websites. Aren't you self-employed? You should be. However, your web skills speak for themselves and you are in demand. I think you could get hired in the Internet field by just about any company in the country that has a web site. Congratulations.
Starting pay depends on the area of the country and the industry. Good luck.

 

[Gerry]

Man, all you gotta do is a little bit of research and homework. Don't worry, they'll teach you that in college:

Here are a couple of good links:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0703/gallery.bestjobs_young.moneymag/5.html

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0703/gallery.bestjobs_young.moneymag/13.html
_________________________________________________________

This is a MUST READ to anyone in a position now to consider degrees and job growth and potential:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20284970/
Where will the jobs be in 2012?
Hot jobs of the future will focus on health care, science, high-tech

Then you will see this link that they give 10 examples.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20283894/

• Organic food producers, retailers
• Computational biologists
• Parallel programmers
• Data technologists
• Simulation engineers
• Boomer companions, caretakers
• Genetic counseling
• Brain analysts
• Space tour guide???
• Robot builders, tenders

Alot of that stuff is kind of bizarre.

Here is one description;

Brain analysts

Using more advanced brain imaging tools, neuroscientists will determine how people feel and react or what they’re capable of, said Terry Sejnowski, a professor at the Salk Institute of Biological Studies and head of its Computational Neurobiology Laboratory. People could detect deception, diagnose mental illness, identify intellectual strengths and collect accurate market research and even get help picking careers best suited to their brains.

The excitement: Change our understanding about ourselves and one another.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, experience in health care and people skills.

Salary: $180,000 to $229,000

I would strongly consider a career in any of the health sciences. Computers and medicine go hand in hand so why not combine both.

There is no shortage of sick people, I have not heard of any hospitals laying people off, and every hospital I know of has a shortage in any and every specialty. Some community colleges (like here in NC) offer 2 year associate degree programs for RN, RRT, Radiology, Sonography, PT Assistant, OT assistant, etc. Some of these specialties make $60-80K right out of school as a new grad. That is RIGHT NOW. Two years from now, it would be more as the "baby boomers" age.

Just looking at this one job listed above, a B.S. in neuroscience? That's it??? Ones that will have the doors open to this emerging field are Radiology techs. They are the ones that typically run the machines. Those machines are all computerized. Imagine coming out in two years with an associate degree in Radiology, making about $60K as a two year grad, then working and taking classes to get your bachelors in whatever. Meanwhile, you finangle your way into the neuroscience departments doing the MRI and CT scans of the brain, get your bachelors degree, and the rest is history.

It should come as no surprise that even in a hospital environment, there are tons of IT people. Congress has passed a law requiring electronic documentation and charting. I would venture to saw that 50% or more of the hospitals in this country are WAY behind.

But I also know hospitals (as well as every other industry) that have laid off IT people as their jobs themselves were replaced by technology. That is so ironic.

I thought the only thing I ever knew and loved was art. When I was serving in the military, after my tour of duty I was so eager to get to college and get a job in Advertising. That is why I got a degree in art, art history, design, illustration, and Marketing and Advertising (and a few other minors). Yup, 5 years of college to get all those degrees and even teaching while I was in college. I even turned down law school in my senior year, a full scholarship at that. I was so eager to get out of college, get married, and get started in my art career.

Once I got out and tackled the advertising world, I grew to hate it.

My point is, if you really like computers...won't you always like computers and messing around with them?

I don't domain for a living. I do it for fun. Now I don't do art for a living. I do it for fun.

Consider combining your likes with another field that will ensure future growth and grow with your career.

Here are some more stats and links:

Occupation New openings Pct. growth

Home health aides 350,000 56%
Network systems, data communications analysts 126,000 55%
Medical assistants 202,000 52%
Physician assistants 31,000 50%
Computer software engineers (applications) 222,000 48%
Physical therapist assistants 26,000 44%
Dental hygienists 68,000 43%
Computer software engineers (systems software) 146,000 43%
Dental assistants 114,000 43%

The first listed is not that great in terms of pay. What you see is projected needs as more and more people want aides to stay with the elderly parents. Usually this only requires minimal CNA training and basically a high school diploma or GED. The pay is not that great but the need will be.

And most of the other medical/dental professions listed are only one year and two year programs in many states. Some less than that. Physicican Assistant is 4 year undergrad plus 2 years grad school. Very difficult to get into in years past but more and more colleges are starting programs. Yup, they typically make exceptionally good money.

These are supplied by the US Dept of Labor and those are the projected biggest needs RIGHT NOW through 2014.

Fastest Growing Jobs:
http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm

Occupations with the largest job growth, 2004-14
http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm

These charts are good in that they give you a glimpse of minimal requirements, job growth projections, as well as pay expectations.

Just wanted to let you know there are options, numerous options, even if you decide to stick with an IT or computer based program. Wearing multiple hats you find yourself in a much better position for future job growth, openings, and earnings.

Good luck on your decision. Hope all this jibberish helped.

How 'bout those domains!

 

[HomerJ]

also consider what jobs or fields will require post-grad schooling (masters or PhD.) with computers you're probably a safe bet for getting work staight away with a BS or BA, but don't think according to whatever article above you can have a bachelors in neuroscience and start out at 180k/yr or whatever, .. surely a joke.

I have a bachelors degree in cognitive science from a very good school, gruaduated highest honors a few .0x shy of 4.0, and guess what, it don't mean squat! there's virtually nothing i can do directly related to that field that doesnt require higher level of education. this doesnt mean my education counts for nothing, i can get jobs in other fields sure, but nothing brain related.

bachelors degree is like what high school diplomas used to be. dime a dozen. not everyone needs post-grad work to get a decent well paying job now, but many jobs require or give precedent to for many fields, and some companies will now help pay or offset tuition because these extra education is so required, almost mandatory for a lot of fields.

my advice: do what you love to do, follow your passion, and you will excel. (unless your passion is underwater basketweaving!! :lol: ) if you pick a crummy major that you hate just because you have dollar signs in your eyes, you just put yourself on the road to midlife crisis.

 

[Gerry]

I have a bachelors degree in cognitive science from a very good school, gruaduated highest honors a few .0x shy of 4.0, and guess what, it don't mean squat! there's virtually nothing i can do directly related to that field that doesnt require higher level of education. this doesnt mean my education counts for nothing, i can get jobs in other fields sure, but nothing brain related.

Perhaps the point was missed.

Someone already in a health related field, like radiology, will have a much better chance at landing a job as described. Knowing and using such systems and equipment already sets them up for snagging such jobs.

There are tremendous options out there. And not all require a 4 year degree. A new nurse graduating from a two year program makes the exact same starting pay as one graduating from a 4 year program. They are called new nurses no matter what the degree says. Experience is the key to advancement and greater opportunity.

I use health related fields as that is what I am in at the moment. Incredible opportunity with nearly any type of degree being needed and wanted, not just medical related. Business, logistics, CPA, IT, IS, programmers, you name it. Most major hospitals are cities within themselves. One hospital my wife works at has 18,000 employees and it's own zip code.

Nearly any and every specialty is needed and vacant in most major hospitals. Add in great pay, great benefits (to include health care, 401K, 403b, long term and short term disability, some offering up to 30 days of "personal days", child care, dental plans, vision plans, employee discount plans like Dell, Best Buy, Hanes, life insurance, etc), market adjustments (to keep up with current pay scales across the hospital comparible...I have personally seen a low of 4% to a high of 9% pay increase year after year...this is called a "market adjustment" that the entire hospital staff receives. And this is NOT your annual pay raise which can be an additional 5% - 10% on top of the market adjusted rate). And, if you are single, WHOA...

So it is about enjoying your work. It is not all about the money. But it is about opportunity for career growth and advancement.

Is is all about decisions made now that may impact you the next few years or the next 30 years.

Look at the stats and projections

 

[HomerJ]

sorry, hadn't actually read your whole post when i commented. but i wouldnt retract any of my statements. final note: i have always found my guidance counselors to be the least helpful people. i apologize in advance to any guidance counselors in the audience.