Bachelor's Degree In Computer Engineering example essay topic

The career that I choose to research was Computer Engineer. One of the reasons why I choose to research this occupation is because I am very interested in the field of computer science and because someday I hope to work in the field. I also choose this particular occupation because it receives a relatively high salary compared with other occupations in the field, and salary is an important issue for me. I also love using computers, I use my computer almost every day. When one of my family members computer breaks or when our home network is not working, I'm usually the first person to try and fix the problem. Also, many people have told me that computer engineering is growing fast and there will be many good opportunities to come.

"I was told in college that computer programming is the fastest-growing careers there is; that is true, but its not hiring a lot of new people" (Mitch le) In today's competitive economy having a technical advantage over others can be the difference between success and failure. This is where computer engineering come in. Computer engineers design, troubleshoot, and develop programs and computer systems for many different applications. Many engineers are being hired today by companies to build and maintain their networks and computers. Engineers are also in high demand, especially to develop solutions for faster and better computers to aid in business, accounting, telecommunications, and almost any job where you would use a computer. In order to be a good computer engineer you must show that you are fairly competent in certain social skills, complex problem solving skills, and technical skills.

The social skills you must have for this occupation are coordination, and you must work well with other people. The technical skills needed are technology design, testing, troubleshooting, and judgment and decision making. The problem solving skills needed for this occupation are information gathering, idea generation and evaluation. The job outlook for computer engineering, although small, is growing; in 2010 there will be 24.9% more jobs.

"Along with growth in the computer and office equipment industry, consulting opportunities should increase as businesses upgrade and customize complex systems. Much faster than average growth there will be strong demand for software engineers as businesses continue to adopt and integrate new technologies" (Choices). In order to maintain a competitive edge, companies will continue to demand computer specialists who are knowledgeable about the latest technologies and are able to apply them to meet the needs of businesses. Also, many job openings will arise annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions or other occupations or who leave the labor force.

Some schools that I am interested in and have been researching are Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute on Technology, Northeastern, and Boston University. All of these schools interested me because they offer degrees in computer science and because many of these schools are reputable in the technology industry. Also, the chances of getting a good job after graduating with a bachelor's degree are high. Some other factors that influenced my choice in colleges were location, and tuition.

As I mentioned before, one issue that is important to me is salary. When choosing a job specifically looked for jobs that would give me enough money to take part in all the hobbies that I enjoy. Many of the sources that I used estimated the salary of a computer engineer anywhere from $50,000-$90,000. This salary range is for a college graduate with a bachelor's degree; the more education and experience you acquire the more money you will earn. While I was researching the average salaries of engineers I came upon an interesting fact. I found that engineers with a BA sometimes earned more than engineers with a master's degree.

Students who wish to enter the Computer Sciences and Programming field are recommended to take specific courses during high school and college that will teach them the required skills for the job. All of my sources recommend that a student take many math and science courses as possible. It is also recommended that English courses. College students should earn at least a Bachelors degree in computer science or engineering in order to qualify for most engineering jobs. "The rapid spread of computers and information technology has generated a need for highly trained workers to design and to incorporate new technologies" (Occupational Outlook Handbook). Jobs that require more technical knowledge usually require a Master's degree.

"Very good opportunities are expected for college graduates who have at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and practical experience working with computers" (Choices). Computer engineers usually work in offices or laboratories in comfortable surroundings. One common misconception about engineers is that they spend long hours behind a desk and that they work individually most of the time. This is not only false but the exact opposite of what engineers really do. Engineers work as teams to complete goals and communication skills are a requirement. Employers look for people with good communication skills who are effective in working in both large and small groups with a wide variety of people.

In addition to good oral skills engineers must also write well. Without these two skills engineers have little chance of getting good jobs and their chances of promotion to executive positions are slim. When I first choose to do my research paper on computer engineering I made many assumptions about this occupation. Some of those assumptions turned out to be true, but I was surprised at how little I really knew about many aspects of the occupation.

Some discoveries I made dealt with the salary and the chances of promotion of this particular occupation. They turned out to be not as high as I originally expected. Although I am very interested in the general field of computer engineering I am not as enthusiastic about being a full time engineer as I originally thought. In my opinion, this was the most valuable piece of information that I learned from doing this essay.