CS Majors/Grads?

[Kilrsat]

I graduated with a BS in CS in May. I had two job offers (both in software development) prior to graduation, and if I felt like waiting around longer there would have been at least one more. So ignore most of the morons that will tell you "I hope you enjoy working in India."

It was my work experience and actual knowledge that got me these opportunities. While my GPA may have given me a nudge to the topside of the pile (it was only a 3.5), I still had to sell the businesses on my ability. Beyond just work experience, play around with fun projects. If you really want to be a software developer, start developing software. Things like application/system design don't get nearly enough attention in the classroom, use that to your advantage. Pick up everything you can from school, pick up as much as you can outside of it, and then sell yourself to the companies on why you're a better option than everyone else with a BS in CS and a 3.7 GPA.

 

[EyeMNathan]

Originally posted by: Kensai
CS Major makes me think Counterstrike Majors..

First reply said that

 

[Casawi]

CpE is the way to go, no need of discrete math and BS like that. You will know all the programming language as a CS najor with more knowledge on the electrical field

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: yassine
CpE is the way to go, no need of discrete math and BS like that. You will know all the programming language as a CS najor with more knowledge on the electrical field

If you think that all a CS major does is learn programming languages, you are very, very misinformed.

The two majors, while seeming similar, are quite different.

 

[Kilrsat]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: yassine
CpE is the way to go, no need of discrete math and BS like that. You will know all the programming language as a CS najor with more knowledge on the electrical field

If you think that all a CS major does is learn programming languages, you are very, very misinformed.

The two majors, while seeming similar, are quite different.

You mean there's more to my job than understanding the basic syntax of a few languages? Oh yeah, there is that other 99% of it.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Kilrsat

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: yassine
CpE is the way to go, no need of discrete math and BS like that. You will know all the programming language as a CS najor with more knowledge on the electrical field

If you think that all a CS major does is learn programming languages, you are very, very misinformed.

The two majors, while seeming similar, are quite different.

You mean there's more to my job than understanding the basic syntax of a few languages? Oh yeah, there is that other 99% of it.

:laugh:

 

[EyeMNathan]

Originally posted by: yassine
CpE is the way to go, no need of discrete math and BS like that. You will know all the programming language as a CS najor with more knowledge on the electrical field

No offense, but I've already picked a major I will enjoy. I was more curious about the practical possibilities of being a college graduate.

I'd prefer if I had the ability to make a liveable salary while doing something enjoyable. I'm willing to move whereever to make this happen. Though my first stab would be at working at Microsoft as they are headquartered in-state and there are some areas I'd love to live in around Redmond. But I'd imagine they are way out of my league.

I know some people with four year degrees who are working minimum wage jobs, their resumes not getting them anywhere.

I do have worries, but its hard to find unbiased information about what the job possibilities are.

 

[EyeMNathan]

I notice Microsoft has an internship program. But given I'm going to school way down here in Southern Washington I don't think that'd do me any good.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan
I notice Microsoft has an internship program. But given I'm going to school way down here in Southern Washington I don't think that'd do me any good.

They might have a satellite campus there, but I haven't checked. They almost certainly do have recruiters there for after you graduate.

To answer your earlier question: you have a very good chance if you make the most of your degree, get a decent GPA and if possible a little work experience. Yes, someone from a higher-ranked school would have the edge if everything else about you looks equal on paper, but that just means you might need to apply a few more places to get your first job.

Once you have experience, your school matters very little if at all.

 

[EyeMNathan]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan
I notice Microsoft has an internship program. But given I'm going to school way down here in Southern Washington I don't think that'd do me any good.

They might have a satellite campus there, but I haven't checked. They almost certainly do have recruiters there for after you graduate.

To answer your earlier question: you have a very good chance if you make the most of your degree, get a decent GPA and if possible a little work experience. Yes, someone from a higher-ranked school would have the edge if everything else about you looks equal on paper, but that just means you might need to apply a few more places to get your first job.

Once you have experience, your school matters very little if at all.

Looking up jobs on places like hotjobs and other sites can be a bit discouraging. Are entry level jobs not advertised the same as higher level jobs? Most i see require _minimum_ 2-3 years experience.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yes, finding that first job can be hard, a local paper might give you a better sense of what's in your own area, and maybe pick up a Sunday Seattle Times to see what's over here.

We're a small company, so we can't afford to hire an entry-level developer. That might seem counter-intuitive, but an experienced developer can fit themselves into a project and get up to speed much more quickly, with a lot less hand-holding from the other people on a project.

Adding anyone new to a project is taking a step back at first, since productive people need to stop part of their work to work with the new person. So it's worth paying extra to minimize the stolen time, as well as gain more work from an experienced new hire later on.

That's why no one wants you at first

Medium and large companies have more "process" in place for dealing with (to be honest) n00bs, so they can better afford to hire them. There are jobs for n00bs, even at some small companies, but you do have to look harder to find them unless you can impress the campus recruiters.

 

[Otaking]

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan
I notice Microsoft has an internship program. But given I'm going to school way down here in Southern Washington I don't think that'd do me any good.

I had a few friends that did internships with Microsoft. I've heard the interviews/test were quite intensive, so good luck.

 

[EyeMNathan]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Yes, finding that first job can be hard, a local paper might give you a better sense of what's in your own area, and maybe pick up a Sunday Seattle Times to see what's over here.

We're a small company, so we can't afford to hire an entry-level developer. That might seem counter-intuitive, but an experienced developer can fit themselves into a project and get up to speed much more quickly, with a lot less hand-holding from the other people on a project.

Adding anyone new to a project is taking a step back at first, since productive people need to stop part of their work to work with the new person. So it's worth paying extra to minimize the stolen time, as well as gain more work from an experienced new hire later on.

That's why no one wants you at first

Medium and large companies have more "process" in place for dealing with (to be honest) n00bs, so they can better afford to hire them. There are jobs for n00bs, even at some small companies, but you do have to look harder to find them unless you can impress the campus recruiters.

Makes sense when you put it that way. I guess the big problem is, there are no local jobs for CS majors. Nothing. Our town was a mill town, now many of them are shutdown and there is huge unemployment. Minimum commute for a job of any kind would be 50 miles each way. (If I found a job in the Portland OR area). And its hard to get a place unless you have a job lined up first, so heh. It seems a bit precarious.

I dont mind relocating at all though. But moving so that I can get a bottom level job will be financially taxing I am sure.

 

[fiip7]

I'm majoring in CSE (Comp. Sci & Eng.) at OSU (OH) and i have freinds who are making anywhere form $48Gs up to $70Gs streight out. I'm planning on working for a large company and getting my MBA or something like that after im working. They will pay for it and it is proven that a Masters is worth your time and money and it will pay off in the end. a PHD is not, but masters is the bast bang for your buck.

 

[amdskip]

I'm a senior CS major. My GPA sucks pretty much, just hope I can land that all important first job and do well in my classes this last year.

 

[Kilrsat]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Yes, finding that first job can be hard, a local paper might give you a better sense of what's in your own area, and maybe pick up a Sunday Seattle Times to see what's over here.

We're a small company, so we can't afford to hire an entry-level developer. That might seem counter-intuitive, but an experienced developer can fit themselves into a project and get up to speed much more quickly, with a lot less hand-holding from the other people on a project.

Adding anyone new to a project is taking a step back at first, since productive people need to stop part of their work to work with the new person. So it's worth paying extra to minimize the stolen time, as well as gain more work from an experienced new hire later on.

That's why no one wants you at first

Medium and large companies have more "process" in place for dealing with (to be honest) n00bs, so they can better afford to hire them. There are jobs for n00bs, even at some small companies, but you do have to look harder to find them unless you can impress the campus recruiters.

Dave just gave you a very important key in selling yourself to a prospective employer. The 2-3 year experience requirement is there because there are skills that you need which they don't teach you in school. The job I ended up taking had a 2-3 year requirment on it, which I didn't meet, but I was able to demonstrate that I wasn't just another CS grad who has no idea how to work in the real world.

I was handling bug fixes and feature implementation for my first project on my second day of work. By the end of the first week the team I was on was clicking on all cyllinders and we pounded through what was remaining on our list. Being able to easily pickup a new project, adapt to whatever style is required, quickly learn from your co-workers, have strong communication skills, and be a productive team member nearly immediately are all skills most people don't acquire until they have their 2-3 year experience.

If you can do those types of things right out of school, you do have a leg up on all the other graduates regardless of where they graudated from.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ well said. That's why any work experience you can get while earning your degree will help you get the first job.

 

[HBalzer]

The CS field is getting new life it was booming before 9/11 and then went cold for a few years but just recently they are in high demand. I graduated last December and had 3 companies practically fighting over me. Even in the Company I went with the department heads were fighting over me. Made me feel good and got a little higher starting pay. I also majored in physics though but am using mostly CS skills.

 

[digiram]

My friend graduated from RIT with a BS in CSE, He got a job right after graduation with Raytheon that started at 60k. Not too shabby .
Be sure to be active while in schoo. Get internships, join clubs, etc. Good luck to you

 

[PandaBear]

Like others said: Work Exp > Internship > Student Project > GPA > Which school you graduate from

I barely survive the last recession, got my 1st job from internship (cell phone firmware developer), got my internship from student project (hybrid electric vehicle), and got my student project by starting early and work hard. $54k / yr

Then the next job I do robot firmware design and control system, got rip off due to recession $35k - $55k / yr for 2 year

Now I do harddrive firmware design, $63k / yr.



I regret not getting better grade back in school because I am having a hard time going into a good Master or PhD program in good school, but I would trade GPA for internship and student project any day. Had I got no intern like my friend with 3.75 GPA (I got 3.15), I would be unemployed like him right now.



Never slack off, you will end up paying for it like I did and regret it later in life.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan
I notice Microsoft has an internship program. But given I'm going to school way down here in Southern Washington I don't think that'd do me any good.

they'll subsidize an apartment in Redmond for you, iirc.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan
I'm currently a CS major (Freshman year. Yeah yeah, I waited until 22.5 years of age to enter college, so sue me.).

I was curious what kind of pay other CS majors are making, compared to other folks in their area.

Another question was, would a Masters degree make any real difference? I suppose I could always get a Masters while working, but I'm curious if it would be worth anything to go for it pre-employment.

You are so doomed it scares me, I re-graduated at 29.

I was a walking stupor and got accepted to Pharmacy at pre-AA.

to be honest your degree will be low on the totem pole...certs are a high priority.

However, if you can come into an interview and solve a problem they have, you will be hired.

If they have a decent financial structure, keep solving them and profit!

Å

in my admittedly brief work experience, i have never seen anybody ever mention certs when deciding whether or not to hire developers.

 

[gopunk]

so i'll just pipe in and say that for my school (u of washington), for the salaries i have heard, the low end was around 45k, quite a few people getting 55-65... some that work for MS or Google make 70-77... and i know one prodigy that got close to 6 figures at MS, but he is obviously an anomaly.

my education in CS has served me well... i'm very satisfied with money i make for the work i do. i can say that in my brief work experience, if you are a good developer (this is more than just doing well in classes... work experience counts for a lot) with good contacts, you will not have trouble finding a job.

 

[EyeMNathan]

Originally posted by: gopunk
so i'll just pipe in and say that for my school (u of washington), for the salaries i have heard, the low end was around 45k, quite a few people getting 55-65... some that work for MS or Google make 70-77... and i know one prodigy that got close to 6 figures at MS, but he is obviously an anomaly.

Washington FTW. I'm at a local college until Junior year when I transfer to WSU.

Cougars > Huskies, btw.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: EyeMNathan

Originally posted by: gopunk
so i'll just pipe in and say that for my school (u of washington), for the salaries i have heard, the low end was around 45k, quite a few people getting 55-65... some that work for MS or Google make 70-77... and i know one prodigy that got close to 6 figures at MS, but he is obviously an anomaly.

Washington FTW. I'm at a local college until Junior year when I transfer to WSU.

FTW?

Cougars > Huskies, btw.

whatever you say