Hi, my daughter's 18 and just started college on a scholarship. She's majoring in computer science and wants to be a computer scientist some day. Her dream is to earn her Doctorate Degree. She was a bit dissappointed a few days ago when someone told her that she'd probably only make 50,000 to 60,000 a year as a scientist. Is this true? That's a pretty good living but we were under the impression it would be something over 100,000 a year.
Does it depend on what area she goes into with computer science?
Are some area more lucritive that others and if so, which ones would those be? Thanks so much for your help.
2007-01-15 17:44:35 · 6 answers · asked by Gayle 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
The job market in that field is saturated everywhere in the US!!!! I know many people who have had to dumb-down their qualifications in order to get an interview for a lesser paying, lower on the totem pole computer science job. (I live in Austin - we have all kinds of opportunities here from Dell, Apple, Samsung, Intel, Cisco and so many more companies.) If she wants to get a Doctorate degree, she can get it in just about any subject she wishes and still make a great deal of money to support herself and her future family. I suggest going into whatever field will make her happy!! There are people out there that love retail and management that are making WAY more than these well educated computer scientists with degrees from the best Universities - and they have an easier job of getting hired and moving up. If your daughter only wants to make money - save the 8-10 yrs of college and the thousands and thousands of dollars and go become a retail store manager - within those 8-10 years, she should be able to make it up to a Regional or Senior position making over 100k.
Go for what you love and just worry about if it will pay the bills!!! Money can't buy happiness.
2007-01-15 18:36:24 · answer #1 · answered by -L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been in the computer field for about 25 years, working in the private sector, as a university employee, and in government.
Computer Science uses its people hard. Your daughter has got to truly love what she's doing in this field or she's going to burn out hard and fast.
Everybody burns out in this field eventually, because its not something you ever become a master of, like in other fields. Always, you're only as good as what you've done during the last 18 months. Its a high-wire act across a burning pit. What I mean is, you may have 20 years experience in the field, but only the last 18 months are of any value to anybody because that is the typical lifespan for any given technology and/or methodology in this field. It becomes a grind.
The only reason to get a doctorate in this field is to become a professor.
Your daughter should not major JUST in Computer Science. She needs a dual major or some profitable avocation so that she can use her CS skills to maximize her value in the other field.
If I had a child, I would make sure they got a good science-oriented degree (so they knew how to think, how to analyze, and had a piece of paper proving it) and I would also make sure they became a journeyman in some trade like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or automechanics.
And if I were a freshman in college again, I would be majoring in Engineering.
If she wants to go for the money though, she should be going into Finance, become a stock/banking specialist (aka young turk, aka master of the universe), and plan on spending the rest of her working life in the NY, Chicago, or San Francisco areas. Its a ruthless profession, but there's seriously big bucks to be made..(130K+++ after 4 years).
2007-01-16 02:29:59 · answer #2 · answered by Jess Wundring 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Computer Science is one of the best fields for jobs after of course health care. Even a smart person with an undergraduate degree can earn more than $50,000 within 3 to 4 years of experience. A doctorate may earn more but their jobs tend to be scattered and few. For a doctorate you have to be good to earn it and then work to find a suitable job depending upon what field it is. AN undergrad or a master's is a great degree. For doctorate she may end up as a college teacher or get a high position in one of the large companies or for research. Right now let her do the undergrad and cross the bridge when you get there if you want to.
2007-01-16 02:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by Sam P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be that anyone with a degree in computer science would have several job offers lined up by the time the finished school.
However, the job market is so saturated (at least here around Los Angeles) that you have to have your degrees AND certificates AND have significant experiance (usually at least 5 years) in order to get an interview.
As far as money goes you can expect to make between 50 and 75k a year (or perhaps a little more depending on your niche)
2007-01-16 02:14:29 · answer #4 · answered by Robert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best bet would be around 50,000-60,000 too.If she's aiming for more than 100,000 straight,I suggest she takes up something else.
2007-01-16 09:28:14 · answer #5 · answered by jasmine 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's really good to go to college, but it is a risk. What if you can't find a good job when you get out?
2007-01-16 01:52:44 · answer #6 · answered by NoDoubt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋