Inside and Outside the Computer: The Computer Hardware Engineer

Computers are composed of two separate but critical components: the software that runs the programs on the computer, and the actual physical elements of the computer itself—from the monitor to the power supply to the video card. Without hardware, there would be no computers to use word processors or play games on.

So who keeps the hardware working? Who develops the latest sleek laptop design? Who creates faster and better interior parts such as sound boards and video boards? Computer Science Hardware Engineers, that’s who.

Computers today are found in nearly every commercial, industrial, education, government, health care and research setting. Computer Hardware Engineers are in very high demand throughout every industry and every aspect of industry. So what does a Computer Hardware Engineer do?

Computer Hardware Engineers are responsible for researching, designing, developing, and testing the computer hardware as well as supervising production and installation. What is hardware? Computer Hardware can be all of the following: computer chips, circuit boards, internal computer systems, as well as other important computer parts such as keyboards, modems, and printers. There are elements of a Computer Hardware Engineers job that are similar to that of an electrical engineer, but Computer Hardware Engineers focus exclusively on computer equipment. It is thanks to the innovative work of Computer Hardware Engineers that there are such frequent advances in computer technology.

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Inside the Computer: Becoming A Software Engineer

Computers are a critical component of every day life—both at home and the office. But without software, computers would just be very large and rather useless paperweights. Here is a definition of software:

“Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems. ‘Software’ is sometimes used in a broader context to mean anything which is not hardware but which is used with hardware, such as film, tapes and records.”

Thanks to the rise in reliance on computers, there is a need for highly trained workers to design and implement new software that incorporates all of the latest technology. You’d be hard pressed to find another area in the work force expected more growth.

There are several specializations within the area of Software Engineering. The most common are Systems Analysts (or Programmer Analysts); Network and Telecommunications Experts; and Database Administrators. Of course there are many others, particularly pertaining to the Internet such as web site designers, but they don’t technically fall into the Software Engineering focus. So what do these various types of software engineers do?

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Where Do I Start?

You’ve made the decision; it’s time to get your computer science degree. But how to begin? We’re here to help. Below you’ll find the Who, Why, What, Where and How of earning your computer science degree.

Who

You, of course, that’s who. What made you choose computer science? Do you have a specialty in mind? Do prefer solving problems or tackling programming? What about going to school? Take some time to consider things. What do you do well when it comes to school? Are you a social butterfly or a bookworm? Do you enjoy the classroom, or do you prefer hanging out online? What is important to you? What gave you trouble in school—writing papers, taking notes, or showing up to class prepared?

All of these are important factors to consider before moving forward. A good exercise is to sit down and write down answers to the questions above. Earning a degree can be challenging, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses before you go in is key. Take the time to really dig deep and understand yourself before taking the next step.

Why

This is important: WHY do you want to earn a computer science degree? Are you fulfilling a life-long dream, or simply following the expectations of your parents or friends? Are you hoping for a lucrative career and a computer science degree is the next step down that path, or are you someone who loves tinkering with a laptop? Whatever your reason, if you are doing it for yourself and the dreams you hold for your life, you are more likely to succeed.

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10 Hot Computer Driven Careers

When someone mentions "hot careers", what do you think of? If something in the IT (Information Technology) field pops into mind, that's not surprising. The U.S. Dept of Labor (DoL) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), between them, seem to indicate that the top ten fastest growing, high-demand careers between 2000-2014 show a significant number of IT-related jobs.

But many people go into computer science, get a degree, then realize that they don't really want a traditional computer job as a business programmer, network administrator, database administrator, analyst, tech support person and so on.

These traditional IT careers will probably stay in-demand for the foreseeable future, but don't forget the alternatives. There are many enjoyable and high-demand applied careers that involve computer skills. And new and interesting variations of computer jobs emerge every year.

Here are some of the hottest and most desirable computer-related careers. This list is partially based on the BLS Top 30 fastest growing careers and also with interviews of computer professionals.

Note: This list is not ordered by job ranking.

1. Environmental Simulations Developer

With the worldwide interest in Global Warming - what with ex-Vice President Al Gore's movie and book, An Inconvenient Truth, and resulting awards - there'll be more opportunities for careers in this field. One role that'll play a significant part and involves computer programming skills is Environmental Simulations Developer. Such developers will both develop accurate environmental models and run short- and long-term simulations, and collect data (which will be analyzed by environmentalists). As climate change continues to grow in the public conscience, and as governments continue to take this issue seriously, the demand for climate and environmental simulations developers will continue to grow.

2. Video Game Developer.

With the continued expansion of the video game market into new demographics, especially with the introduction of the Wii, the video game industry continues to need solid game developers. In fact, there is evidence that video games will be entering new domains, such as the health and education industries, on much larger scales. And while video games might have their detractors, gaming has benefits: imparting therapy, teaching hand/eye coordination, planning and strategy, for starters. That said, demands for newer and more innovative video games will continue to grow. It remains to be seen how soon we'll get to holographic gaming, but video game developers and even video game testers will have plenty of opportunities.

Read about the other eight computer driven careers here.

Get Paid to Play: Become a Video Game Tester

Did you know that right now, in offices and living rooms around the country, there are people getting paid to play video games? Not only are they getting paid, they are making a solid living; it's not just a job. It's a career.

Video Game Testing is an important part of the game creation process. Without testers to iron out glitches and snafus, the games would be clunky, unmanageable, and most of all--no fun!

If you are interested in computers and are planning to earn a college degree, majoring in computer science will make you the ideal candidate for this dream job. So if spending your days gaming sounds like the career for you, choose computer science and make your dreams come true!

Starting Salaries for Computer Science Grads

Do you love computers? Do you want a stable, in-demand job that pays upwards of $50,000 a year? Good news! Computer experts are needed in every corner of the business world, and the demand is far out pacing the supply, and the starting salaries of computer science graduates are nothing to sneeze at. So how can you take advantage of this hiring trend? By earning a degree in computer science.

There has never been a better time to major in computer science or information technology. There are programs readily available at most colleges, both on campus and online. Salaries start high and only get higher with experience and education. If working with computers sounds right for you, take that first step toward your computer degree today.

Hot Disciplines in Computer Science

Computers are a critical part of every business (and most households) today, so it isn't a shock that those that work on computers are part of a vibrant and diverse field full of fascinating career options. But what are the hottest computer science careers out there today?

From creating software for hand-held devices to information security to web development, there are a multitude of great careers in computer science out there. If you are interested in computers and are planning to major in computer science, you can rest easy--a fulfilling and rewarding career is waiting for you.