Bachelor of Science degree in technology qualification is enjoying surging popularity in recent years, and that’s reflective of the dominance of technology, which is all around us.
These days, almost every sector uses it, yet more technology is being introduced in the market every now and then. For this reason, technology is said to be one of the fastest-growing fields, compared to other industries.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated in its reports that all computer-related jobs are projected to grow by about 12% from 2018 to 2028. Moreover, some technology jobs will grow as far as 32%.
Want to join the industry? This article will look at the top 10 best jobs that you can do with a bachelor of science in engineering technology.
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Best jobs for technology majors
If you are looking for a career in technology, it is recommended that you should consider entry-level positions. These jobs are often available to people who are just entering into the technology discipline, especially those that have little to no work experience.
With some work experience and a higher degree, you will easily escalate to senior and supervisory positions.
After conducting research, I came up with the top 10 best jobs that you can do with a degree in engineering technology. Let’s get into the occupations.
- Computer Programmer
- Web Developer
- Computer Support Specialist
- Software Developer
- Computer & Information Systems Manager
- Computer & Information Research Scientist
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Computer Network Architect
- Information Security Analyst
- Database Administrator
Computer Programmer
A programmer is a person who specializes in writing various software that an organization or an individual uses to perform specific tasks.
Typically, computer programmers take ideas and turn them into programs. Mostly, these ideas are created by developers as well as software engineers. They are responsible for all the writing and testing of the computer codes.
Once a particular application software has been created and tested, the programmer is supposed to present it to the developer, software engineers, or anyone who came up with the application’s idea. In this case, he/she will walk users through the process of installing and using the software.
In order to succeed as a programmer, you will need to be detail oriented, which will allow you to pick mistakes. You also need to have communication skills since you will likely be dealing with a team of other programmers.
On the technical side, you will need to have an understanding of programming languages, such as C++, Java, and more.
While it may be one of the high-paying careers in the technology field, the job outlook for computer programmers is projected to decline by about 7% between 2018 and 2028, according to a BLS report. That being said, there may not be a lot of opportunities in the next 10 years.
To become a computer programmer, you need to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree either in computer science, information technology or engineering technology. Since most programmers possess a bachelor’s degree- about 74% to be precise (according to CareerOneStop), you are likely to face a stiff competition in the job market. So, having a master’s degree should make you stand out from the rest.
The average salary that programmers make falls at $84,280 per year, with the top 10% earning an average of more than $134,630. For entry level jobs, you are likely to receive an average salary of $48,790 annually.
Web Developer
A web developer is simply defined as an expert specializing in designing, creating, and maintaining websites. Compared to other occupations, web development is one of the most lucrative careers you can pursue in the information technology sector.
As a web developer, your main objective is to create sites are interactive and easy to use. Besides that, you are responsible for the site’s overall look and visual appeal, not forgetting ensuring that the site performs as expected.
The demand for the web development occupation is projected to grow by 13% between 2018 and 2028. This is due to the rise in organizations’ need to establish an online presence through its own website.
The minimum education requirement in this field is only an associate’s degree in information technology or web development. However, if you can opt for a bachelor’s degree in either engineering technology, networking or any other tech-related study, you will have a leg up in the completion.
The average salary that web programmers earn is at $69,430, with the top 10% earning a six-figure income of $124,480. For entry positions, the salary can be averaged at $37,930
Computer Support Specialist
There are many people, whether internal or outside the organization, that may not possess the technical skills or a training in using computers. This is where the need for a customer support specialist comes in.
A computer support specialist is a professional that focus on making the usage of computers easy for other computer users.
As a computer support specialist, you are required to provide help as well as advice on networks and systems. Alternatively, you may need to perform tests and evaluate existing networks, execute systematic maintenance, and troubleshoot systems.
Computer support specialists are supposed to listen to a user’s issues every so often to provide the right troubleshooting requirements and system repairs.
In most cases, computer support specialists find themselves working for computer design and development companies. Others work in academia at universities as well as local schools.
In terms of education, you will need to have at least an associate’s degree in order to qualify as a support specialist. Having a bachelor’s degree will make you a very competitive candidate.
In the field, there is an expected job growth of 10%. This means support specialists will continue to be on a high demand. Then again, the competition will likely get a lot stiffer.
The median salary for computer support specialists is at $62,770. The top 10% receive an excess of $105,770. The entry Level Salary is $38,270.
Software Developer
Software applications developers are people that use their programming experience in order to create applications for computers as well as smartphones.
The amount of work you perform as a software developer depends on the nature of your work. According to the BLS, software developers are categorized into two, namely system developers and application developers.
System developers are more concerned with creating operating systems that support the applications. On the other hand, the applications developers work on researching and analyzing users’ needs to create a computer or smartphone applications that meet those needs.
Often, the applications developer may receive an instruction to make applications that are either fully customized to a specific business or apply to other organizations in similar industries.
A bachelor’s degree in a great place to start if you want to be a software developer. You can either major in computer science or computer engineering.
For software developers, the average salary is at $103,620 per year. The software development job is projected to have a job growth of 26% in a 10-year time frame (from 2018-2028) during which, the number of jobs to be available will be 944,200.
Computer & Information Systems Manager
Computer and information systems managers (also known as IT project managers) are knowledgeable professionals who determine information technology goals in order to form efficient plans to meet those goals.
As a computer and information systems manager, you are required to direct all computer-related work. Your main goal is to define the steps to create a better network and software system.
For the most part, they work on generating long-term plans, delegating projects to subordinates, and organizing stages of an operation, just as any manager does.
To start off your career as a Computer & Information Systems Manager, you are supposed to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in information technologies. It is not unusual to find some employers that prefer a master’s degree.
The job prospects for Computer & Information Systems Managers is very good, especially when compared to other occupations. This career will have a Job Growth of 11%. CIS Managers are said to receive an average annual salary of $142,530.
Computer & Information Research Scientist
With a bachelor of science in engineering tech, you can secure a great position as a computer and information research scientist.
Compared to other career paths in the technology industry, computer and information research scientists are said to be at the forefront of the technology itself.
Computer and information research scientists are professionals that specialize in the establishment of computer systems in organizations.
As a computer and information research scientist, you are supposed to create and design new ways to use technology innovatively. Most of your career involves inventing new techniques for software programs. If you have research skills, this is the part those skills would be most essential.
Besides research skills, you should also possess a high degree of problem-solving skills, especially because you will be dealing with a lot of technical problems that you will need to solve.
Ultimately, research scientist create new technology methods for several industries, such as business or medical fields- just to mention a few
The most satisfying part about becoming a Computer & Information Research Scientist is that you will be able to work in a wide range of fields.
According to statistics, a high fraction (roughly about 28%) of computer and information research scientists work in government institutions, 11% work in colleges and universities.
The career is projected to have job growth of 16%, with the median Salary at $118,370.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Are you that type of person that likes to repair equipment by yourself? With a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology, you could pursue a career as a computer hardware engineer.
Computer hardware engineers are functioning professionals that deal with the physical nature of technology, which includes physical computer components, such as processors, circuit boards, or even routers.
Often, you may be tasked with creating new hardware components that are more proficient.
While computer hardware engineers only deal with the hardware part of a computer, they may regularly coordinate with other professionals like computer programmers, especially when a new hardware component was created to be used with a software that the programmer created.
After developing computer hardware components, they perform various tests using existing software or programs to make the new hardware function.
Alternatively, computer hardware engineers, may update current hardware. In this case, they will be working to make the hardware match the software program’s advancement or update.
Besides having a technology degree, becoming a computer hardware engineer will require a high knowledge of types of computer components, which means you will have to be willing to learn and do your research every now and then.
Computer hardware engineers’ demand is projected to grow to about 6%, creating more than 64,400 jobs in a decade. You should expect to receive around $114,600 per year as a computer hardware engineer in terms of the salary.
Computer Network Architect
Computer network architects are professionals who primarily focus on developing and implementing networking systems in an organization.
As a Computer Network Architect, you are responsible for designing and building data communication networks, which includes both local area networks as well as WANs area networks.
As such, your assembled networking system can be able to connect anywhere from two offices, satellite offices and everything else in between, not forgetting in-house offices.
Occasionally, you may be required to present plans to an administrative or management board, during which you could be requested to upgrade particular systems.
For the most part, you may be needed to research new and emerging technologies and networking components that could be advantageous to the organization’s networking system.
With a job growth of 5%, we are assured that the demand for Computer Network Architect is constantly rising, meaning that you have more opportunities.
However, this sector faces a stiff competition. From planning to the way to implementing network systems, you will be receiving a salary of $109,020 per year.
Information Security Analyst
With the advancement of the IT industry, cyber-attacks and hackers have become widely common around the globe. This brings the need to have a professional that will make sure that the company’s confidential information is kept private.
As an Information Security Analyst, your main go is to ensure that the organization (or a client’s firm) is protected from cyber-attacks as well as unauthorized access.
While many careers in the technology industry often deal with security on different levels, you are 100% devoted to a computer network’s security.
Typically, Information Security Analysts are involved in planning how network systems should be developed, and carrying out of the appropriate security steps to ensure that the implementation goes according to the plan
When implementing such systems, you will be required to monitor the system for any security breaches and investigate when you see any potential threats or when the security has been compromised. One of that information often implements security software programs such as firewalls and encryption programs.
On average, information Security Analysts are said to bring home a salary amounting to $98,350, which is great. With the job growth of 32%, this is one of most lucrative careers that will keep rising in the job market.
Database Administrator
Last on our list is a database administrator occupation. Just as the name states, much of the work of a database administrator revolves around data.
Typically, database administrators are said to use specified technology that allows them to perform functions such as the storing, organizing, and of course, the implementation of the record data.
As a database administrator, you are required to ensure data is available to the people who need it. For the most part, database administrator work with financial as well as customer records, which allow, for instance, the sales staff to use this information as a reference
To become a database administrator, you are required to start your career with a bachelor of science in data science, computer science, or information technology.
The average salary that database administrators receive ranges from $86,349 to around $92,075. The career is projected to have a job growth of about 9%, increasing the number of jobs to 116,900.
How to find a job after graduating
Finding the right job will, without a doubt, start with the level of your education.
Having a bachelor’s degree- either in computer science, programming, or software engineering, opens up more opportunities for you compared to the chances you would have with let’s say, an associate’s degree.
However, you will still be able to land a job with an associate’s degree or any other formal education type.
How to nail the interview
The interview room can be very intimidating to interviewees, especially when it is your first time getting interviewed. You can feel like you are under a lot of pressure. However, job Interviews can be a tough experience for interviewers as well.
When you have been invited for interviews, you have to make sure that you speak clearly and directly about your education and work experience.
When you are explaining these to your potential employer, make sure you emphasize how your education and experience will assist the company.