Page |1

Jared R. Thompson
Salt Lake Community College
Teacher: Robert Baird
Class: CSIS 1030
December 5, 2017

Top Computer Science Careers

If you are interested in having a career in the Information Technology field it can be a

little intimidating with all the different career options. With a little research, I found

information about some of the top computer science careers. I researched career fields such as

software application developer, computer systems analyst, software system developer, we

developer, network systems administrator, database administrator, computer hardware

engineer, computer network architects design, information security analyst, computer

programmer, and computer and information systems manager. I want to learn what each

careers job description is and what personality treats are more suitable for each career.

A software application developer performs a verity of tasks. They design or customize

computer application for software as well as modify existing software to help with efficiency or

correct errors. They also evaluate software requirements and the needs of the user to help

improve or create useable software. The median annual salary for a software application

developer is $100,080 according to a study done in 2016.

If you have strong interpersonal skills considering a career as a computer systems

analyst may be a good fit for you. A computer systems analyst works with managers and

employees to help them adopt to technology solutions that meet organizational needs. They
 Page |2

are responsible for enhancing system compatibility, so information can be shared easily, as well

as improve computer systems and develop system design procedures. A systems analyst need

to continue to grow their knowledge and track trends in technology to keep up with the best

cutting-edge systems. The median annual salary for this position was $87,220 in 2016.

If designing, developing and testing software is interesting to you then considering a

career as a software systems developer might be a good idea. In this field you will create

software programs that allow users to perform specific tasks on various computers or mobile

devices. Software system developers are responsible for the entire development, testing and

maintenance of the software being created. A must for this position is to be fluent with

computer languages for writing the program codes. The median annual salary was $106,860 in

2016.

As a web developer you would be designing, editing and writing page content for web

sites. A web developer also masks sure the web pages are accessible and easy to download

through various browsers and interfaces. Having great communication ability and being

extremely creative are a must for this position. They are also responsible for backing up website

files for immediate recovery in case a problem occurs. Web developers goals are to maximize

the number of page views and visitors to the site. The median annual salary is $66,130 as of

2016.

As a network systems administrator you would focus on installing and supporting the

network system for an organization. Network systems administrators monitor the overall

website functions to ensure performance is not interrupted and they perform data backups in

case of problem occurring. If something did happen they would perform disaster recovery
 Page |3

operations to bring they systems back up. They also add users to a network, as well as update

the security permissions on the network. They can also be responsible for training users in the

proper use of the hardware and software. The median annual salary is $79,700 in 2016.

Database administrators improve analyze and evaluate the data needs of users. They

apply security measures to safeguard information. They coordinate changes and correct any

errors that may occur. Database administrators need to have good problem-solving skills to

correct malfunctions and to modify systems as the users evolve. The median annual salary is

$84,950 in 2016.

Computer hardware engineers need to have a combination of creativity and technical

expertise to perform their duties of designing, developing, and testing computer components,

such as routers, circuit boards and memory devices. To stay on top of the technology they

need to be avid learners and stay on top of all the emerging trends in the applications. They

also oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware and because of this they need

to have perseverance to perform tests of systems again and again to ensure the hardware is

functioning properly. The median annual salary $115,080 in 2016.

Computer network architects need to have analytical skills to help perform their job

duties of designing, implementing and managing networks and data communication systems,

including local area networks. Local area networks include wide area networks, intranets and

extranets. They need to assess data sharing and communication for organizations and evaluate

the products and services available in the marketplace. They also test systems prior to

implementing them and resolve problems that may occur before and after the setup is done.

The median annual salary is $101,210 as of 2016.

 Page |4

Information security analysts are known for creating systems to protect information

networks and websites from cyber-attacks or security breaches. They play a vital role in the

security of our networks and websites. They research trends in data security to anticipate

problems and install systems to prevent the issues before they occur. As a information security

analyst you would need to have strong problem solving skills to investigate breaches,

determine the cause and perform repairs or modify the security systems. The median salary is

$92,600 as of 2016.

Computer programmers write code that enables software to operate as intended by

software developers. They need to be able to communicate well with the developers to insure

the proper result. Computer programmers need to master the computer languages as well as

understand the logic and structures of the languages. Coding is the key part in making an

application run. Computer programmers also debug problems with existing programs as well as

modify them as changes arise. The median salary for a computer programmer is $79,530 as of

2016.

Finding the right career in a computer science field can be challenging with so many

options. I have found that narrowing down the options to the career fields that suite your

interests and best abilities is the most the helpful. I have been learning that I struggle more

with programming then I do with networking. This means looking at careers that are more

focused on networking and security have more interest to me.

 Page |5

Work Cited Page

http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/what-can-you-do-with-computer-
science-degree/
https://www.thebalance.com/top-jobs-for-computer-science-majors-2059634
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172061.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151143.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151122.htm
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/computer-programmer/salary
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm