Careers in Computing Dr. Lynda Thomas Department of Computer Science University of Wales Aberystwyth

Why go for a job in Computing? One of the best careers for employment Excellent salaries IT skills shortage reaches ten-year high (13/2/08) Most fun you can have and be paid for Challenging, Lots of variety Opportunities for travel if you want

Types of Employer Business/ Academia/ Government

Types of Employer Business/ Academia/ Government

Industry (1): Users of ICT Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Tesco Lloyds TSB / Citibank / Stock Exchange Manufacturing companies (ICI, Ford, Sony) Armed Forces National Health Service / DSS Local Authorities etc

Industry (2): Software Suppliers IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Apple Microsoft, Adobe, SquareSoft, BroadSword EDS, Logica, JD Technology, FirstEarth Google, Amazon, Hotmail Your local computer shop

Industry (3): Manufacturers of equipment incorporating computers ICI, Kvearner, Control Techniques Medical equipment manufacturers British Aerospace, Ford, McClaren Makers of TVs / CD players / telephones etc

What kind of jobs are there? Old view:

Better view: Variety of jobs in the different types of company Jobs with companies that are ICT users Jobs with hardware/software suppliers Jobs with manufacturers who incorporate computers in their products

Jobs with Users Data analysts Web developers Telecommunications specialists User training Security specialists Database administrators

Jobs with suppliers Development of new applications Operating system level work Bespoke development Human factors Sales / marketing Customer support Consultancy Quality assurance / Project management

Jobs with manufacturers Embedded system design Development of new products Safety critical systems design Jobs in previous two categories…

Getting jobs in Computing Just start doing it! Getting less frequent Often end up studying for degrees later Get a job from school Get a degree in Computing Do postgraduate diploma

My own experience Moved to Canada when I was 14 Did a Pure Maths degree – moved back to Britain Needed a job! Programmer for Coop Systems Engineer for IBM uk Did an MSc to get formal qualifications Worked in Academia since (some consulting)

Some statistics from Aberystwyth 6 months after graduation 92% in work or study (2004) 78% in a ‘graduate role’ Average salary £19,100

Work of our undergraduates (2 years after graduation) 78 % - Technical jobs. These people have titles like “Web developer” or “Software engineer” and are spending most of their time building systems. 8% - Further education. These people have gone on to pursue a further course (MSc or PhD) 14% Managerial. Intending to signify that these people are supervising other people. In all cases, the job still has a technical element, but rather than doing it, they are supervising other people who are doing it.

Typical employers of our undergraduates Computer Engineer, Sony Business Analyst, Hitachi Europe Analyst Programmer, Tyco Electronics Analyst Programmer, HSBC Web Developer, Legal & General Systems Programmer, OpenWorld Internet Systems Engineer, Control Techniques Support Analyst, UBS Warburg Software Engineer, Teleca Software Design, Compaq Computer Ltd Quality Systems Supervisor, Tradewear Network Specialist, Extant Telecomms Development Engineer, NTL Computer Programmer, Logica Computer Programmer, Digital Workshop Associate Consultant, First Consulting Software Developer, Securicor Information Systems

Typical Computing courses Computer Science Software Engineering Internet Computing Computing with a language Business Computing / Information Technology

Questions to ask about university computing courses (1) Is the course accredited by BCS? Does course include professional issues? How much Hardware teaching is there? How much Maths is there? Is there opportunity for industrial experience?

Questions to ask about university computing courses (2) Where do course graduates get jobs? Do the staff have industrial experience? Do the staff do interesting research? What is mix of theoretical/practical teaching? Does the course include any team working? How easy is it to change courses if I choose wrongly?

Finally - a warning! A Computing degree does not necessarily mean you will end up with a job in the computer industry You might end up with an Oscar instead

Any Questions Ask me now! me: Look at the Department’s Web site Look at Careers in Computing web site

My Boss’s experience (1) Did A-levels in Pure Maths, Applied Maths, Physics in 1975 Started Pure Maths degree in Aber, but switched to Computer Science at end of first year Did industrial year at ICI Wrote much of control software for industrial chemical plant Completed degree in

My Boss’s experience (2) Worked for a software company from 1979 to 1986 Two years in a three person team writing an Operating System (one year spent in Italy) One year leading a three person team writing an expert systems shell Three years building Artificial Intelligence systems for user companies

My Boss’s experience (3) Worked on research project at Aberystwyth from Became a lecturer Taught AI and software engineering courses Researched model-based reasoning working with Ford Started company based on research in 1997 Expanded company until it employed 11 staff Sold company to large American company Now back working for Department