It’s hard to avoid artificial intelligence (AI) these days. If you watch an NBA game or your favorite sitcom, there’s a good chance you’ll see a commercial about how AI is set to upend (for the better) the way companies design, make, and ship products.
While the technology is exciting, its uses extend well beyond commerce. For Robbie Jimerson, a doctoral student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a form of AI known as deep learning is less about the future than it is about preserving the past. That’s because Jimerson is using deep learning to help preserve his native Seneca language, spoken fluently today by fewer than 50 people. “Language revitalization is a huge effort,” he says. “The first step is documenting the language, and within that process the slowest and most expensive part is transcribing audio data.”
In other words, to preserve Seneca and other disappearing languages, someone needs to record fluent speakers and transcribe the conversations. Recording Seneca elders is the fun part for Jimerson. And thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation — and help from colleagues at RIT and other schools — Jimerson is using deep learning to train automatic speech recognizers (ASRs) to understand Seneca as a way to significantly speed up the transcription process. He’s already made substantial progress. “I was able to train a few ASR systems,” he says. “I definitely like the language space and deep learning. Any way I can help my community is what I want to do.” Jimerson’s work is proof that when it comes to promising careers with lots of opportunities, computer science offers many diverse paths. Here in our annual review of top STEM jobs, we focus on several of them.
Software Developer
Eight years ago Netscape founder and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen penned an essay in The Wall Street Journal titled “Why Software Is Eating the World.” Far from a dystopian view of the advance of technology, Andreessen predicted that software would play an increasingly important — and beneficent — role in reshaping whole industries, economies, and societies. It’s hard to argue that he got it wrong. Today, companies ranging from Silicon Valley outfits to century-old manufacturers are, at their core, software companies. So it’s no surprise that software developers who can write the programs that solve problems are in high demand. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for software developers is expected to grow by 24 percent between 2016 and 2026, a rate far faster than average. And these are good jobs: the median income in 2017 was $103,560.
Find Your School
University of Michigan–Dearborn | Purdue University Global | Georgia Institute of Technology
Potential Employers
Accenture | 7th Gear | Phillips
Sample Current Openings
- Uline: Associate software developer
- Liberty Mutual Insurance: Software developer
- IBM: Software developer, Agile
Database Administrator
If you think Big Data is just a catchy marketing phrase, consider this: 90 percent of all the data created in the world was generated in the last two years. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) is only going to quicken the pace. Much of the data — a lot of which is critical to the smooth functioning of businesses, governments, and nonprofits — is maintained, protected, and distributed to the people who need it by database administrators. Companies can differentiate themselves based on how well they maintain and use that information to provide exemplary service. Database administrators play a key role in turning Big Data into smart data, which is why their numbers are expected to grow by over 10 percent by 2026.
Find Your School
University of Southern New Hampshire | DePaul University | Pace University
Potential Employers
Locus Robotics | Cleveland Clinic | JPMorgan Chase
Sample Current Openings
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Database administrator (rheumatology)
- Southern Illinois University: ITTA, database administrator
- General Dynamics: Database administrator (SQL)
Advice from an Intel Recruiter
We asked Lisa M. Smith, the manager of Intel Corporation’s Global Diversity & Inclusion, Scholar Program Office, to share some insights on opportunities for Native STEM students and aspiring professionals at this global corporation.
What is the Intel Growing the Legacy Scholarship Program? In 2016, Intel announced a $1.32 million contribution to AISES to support undergraduate and graduate scholarships for Native Americans. The support is part of a partnership between Intel and AISES to increase the number of Native American students in computer science and engineering fields and foster their success.
The program was a result of a thought-leadership event Intel hosted in partnership with the National Center for Women & Information Technology. The event brought together key leaders in academia; government; tribal nations; nonprofit organizations, including AISES; and the tech industry to facilitate constructive collaboration aimed at increasing Native American leadership in STEM. From this convening, Intel produced a white paper outlining six key recommendations for increasing Native student participation and retention in computer science and engineering. Based on those recommendations, Intel has made a four-year commitment to the Growing the Legacy Scholarship Program at AISES to support 40 Native American undergraduate and graduate students with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per academic year and to provide them with Intel mentors, potential for a paid internship, and an Intel job upon graduation.
Would you say this is a particularly good time to be graduating with computer science skills? The fundamental skills of a computer science degree (i.e., architecture, programming models and algorithms) are essential for unlocking the benefits of today’s Intel architecture and the future architecture to come. Just as researchers and scientists rely on optimized software, programmers ensure that software is secure and agile for moving, storing, and processing data. Because software is key, Intel provides the next generation of scientists and engineers with free software tools, libraries, and code samples to the developer community, as well as special programs for academic researchers, instructors, and students to help teach STEM skills.
Are there specific skills that Intel is looking for? Software developers at Intel make the company one of the most influential software companies in the world. They focus on key areas that enable the Intel architecture across high-performance computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, devices, cloud computing, visualization technology, and more. Because of this Intel architecture portfolio, we have opportunities at various levels of programming (e.g., software applications, firmware and BIOS, RF design, Linux kernel, test and validation). Visit Intel’s Software Careers website for information.
Have Native students who have gone to work at Intel found it to be an easy transition? Intel has established resource groups and leadership councils to build an environment of inclusion and help employees with career development via mentorship and sponsorship programs. Currently, Intel has 32 employee resource groups and five leadership councils organized around race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, sexual preference, gender identity, and other common affinities.
Our Intel Native American Network (INAN) employee resource group and Intel Native American and Pacific Islander Leader Council actively engage members within Intel and with the local community. Employees often gather to volunteer, mentor, or participate as speakers and positive role models for youth. In 2015, INAN logged the highest volunteer hours among all Intel employee resource groups. Employees also have the opportunity to connect with Intel mentors, the leadership councils, advisors, or coaches to help them integrate and develop their career. When new employees or interns join the company, INAN members partner with HR to connect with employees who self-identify as Native Americans and invite them to join INAN to get connected with the members.
Computer Network Architect
Computer network architects work with resources like extranets, intranets, local area networks, and cloud computing infrastructure — what large organizations need for networks to run smoothly. While a large portion of the job entails a sophisticated knowledge of hardware and software, this position also requires connecting technical minutiae to larger business objectives. As is the case with system analysts, network architects need to be able to communicate clearly to nontechnical audiences and stay on top of rapidly changing technologies. Computer network architects typically have at least an undergraduate degree in computer science or engineering. Job growth is expected to be as robust as related professions, with a median income of almost $105,000.
Find Your School
Carnegie Mellon University | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Potential Employers
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital | Harpe Engineering Solutions Inc. | Educational Testing Service
Sample Current Openings
- National Security Agency: Computer systems architect
- Global Strategic Solutions LLC: Systems solutions architect
- Visa: Lead systems architect
Computer Hardware Engineer
Software is hugely important in our digital age. But the reality is that software developers and engineers couldn’t work their magic without computer hardware engineers. These are the men and women who conceive of, design, and test all the circuit boards, routers, and memory devices that are so critical to the gadgets we use each day. This is work that constantly evolves as the opportunities created by AI and virtual reality continue to accelerate. It’s also work that requires constant attention to computing advances, which often necessitate a redesign of existing hardware to work properly with new software programs. With a median income of over $115,000, computer hardware professionals are valued by the tech companies, component manufacturers, and research institutions that employ them.
Find Your School
University of Washington | Marquette University | University of Florida
Potential Employers
Roswell Biotechnologies | Apple | Twitter
Sample Current Openings
- Banner Defense: Hardware engineer
- Penn State University: Embedded hardware and software engineer
- 7-Eleven: IoT hardware engineer
Computer Systems Analyst
Turning abstract potential into tangible benefits is the role of a computer systems analyst, who must be able to see the big picture in terms of the effectiveness of an organization’s technology. It’s of little consequence if big investments are made in computer systems and nobody knows how to use them. Communicating with staff and management and diagnosing changes and enhancements that can deliver more value are all in the realm of computer systems analysts, which means they need a combination of technical savvy and a human touch, along with an undergraduate degree in computer science and likely an advanced certificate from the systems producer.
Find Your School
Northern Arizona University | Colorado School of Mines | Michigan Technological University
Potential Employers
National Security Agency | United Parcel Service | University of Connecticut
Sample Current Openings
- Waterbury Hospital: Systems analyst
- GeneresIT: Computer systems analyst
- Vantis Life Insurance Co.: Systems analyst
Web Developer
The reason a website works well — and looks good — is that it was created by skilled web developers. These specialists are primarily responsible for all the back-end coding that enables websites to function properly. Though some web developers focus exclusively on the technical aspects that ensure easy navigation, others bring a strong design sense to the creation of compelling sites. These days, website development is largely about creating sites that work as well on small mobile screens as they do on large desktops. Given the importance of a strong web presence, it’s no surprise that web developer ranks number six on the U.S. News & World Report list of best technology jobs. Most jobs require at least a certificate or an associate degree, preferably in web design or technologies, and likely a BS in computer programming or science.
Find Your School
Harvard University Extension School | Baker College | Seattle University New and Continuing Studies
Potential Employers
Electronic Imaging Materials Inc. | Hewlett-Packard | Mezmeriz Inc.
Sample Current Openings
- Verizon: Junior web developer
- PacificSource Health Plans: Web developer
- University of Southern California: Web developer
Information Security Analyst
A big dark side to the many benefits of technology is that sophisticated cybercriminals from around the world are targeting all kinds of data — often successfully. Juniper Research estimates that cybercriminals stole 12 billion records in 2018 and expects that number to soar to 33 billion by 2023. Information security analysts are on the front lines of defending networks from always-evolving cyber threats. This work involves everything from educating an organization’s employees to taking security measures to keep computer systems safe. Given both the importance of computer systems to the functioning of the world economy and the increasing velocity of cyberattacks, it’s not surprising that information security analyst positions are growing at a clip far faster than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be a 28 percent increase in the number of jobs between 2016 and 2026.
Find Your School
Johns Hopkins University | University of Texas at San Antonio | Iowa State University
Potential Employers
The TJX Companies | Virginia Hospital Center | Penn National Insurance
Sample Current Openings
- Century Bank: Information security analyst
- Staples: Cyber security analyst
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Information security analyst
Software Engineer
It happens all the time: a company has an idea about how software can help it solve a pressing business challenge, but actually translating the initial concepts into solutions is the job of a software engineer. To develop programs, software engineers apply traditional engineering methods and principles while considering how users will interface with the software, then pinpoint the business and technical information required to make the software effective. Software engineers also shepherd the entire process to completion. Software engineers are in high demand, with an expected increase in job growth of 24 percent until 2026.
Find Your School
Rochester Institute of Technology | McGill University | California Institute of Technology
Potential Employers
Civil Air Patrol | Dell | Fitbit
Sample Current Openings
- The Boeing Company: Software engineer avionics
- Fidelity Investments: Software engineer
- Amazon Robotics: Software engineer
Advice from a Microsoft Recruiter
As a university recruiter for Microsoft, Faby Zuniga has some insights for Native students eager to pursue STEM careers.
You interact with a lot of job candidates. What do you wish they knew that would best position them to land a job at Microsoft? It sounds simple, but I wish more candidates would learn how to be their most true and authentic selves. The majority of students approach me by asking how to fit into the “Microsoft mold,” or how to make sure their resume fits the boxes they think we want to check. The reality is there is no mold or one true equation to get into Microsoft. Our cultural revolution needs candidates who understand that they are culture-adds, not culture-fits. At the end of any interaction with a recruiter, students should feel like they gave more than a robotic script of their achievements. Dig deep. Tell me about your struggles growing up, tell me your story, and show me your unique passions. If I walk away remembering the impact I felt by hearing your story, you know you are on the right track.
Why is this is a good time to be graduating with computer science skills? If you think of the world’s tech giants — Google, Amazon, and the like — roughly 70 percent-plus of all roles are software engineering roles. Couple that with the millennial generation’s focus on issues like homelessness and climate change, and you have a huge focus on technology and its potential to solve problems. When I think about the most impactful software engineers we have, the focus of their work is aligned to the gap they want to fill according to their passions. The Emma Watch is just one example, where Haiyan Zhang pursued her passion in aiding the community affected by Parkinson’s. Using Microsoft and technology as a platform for her dream, she created a watch with vibrations that counteracted hand tremors — thus empowering those affected to write. This is the time not only to explore the computer science industry, but to figure out what you want to fix. As technology advances, so does our social responsibility.
Can you give examples of specific skills Microsoft is looking for? There are two big skills that Microsoft is recruiting for: growth mindset and customer obsession. Growth mindset has become the heart of our cultural revolution; it means turning from a company of “know-it-alls” to “learn-it-alls,” and it’s something we look for in candidates. Are you someone who takes and implements feedback in stride? Do you feel like mistakes define you or do you feel like mistakes are valuable gifts of learning? It’s okay to not have the answer — we deal with a lot of gray areas in the industry, and it’s really important to know that there’s no right or wrong. There’s only learning, and that builds and optimizes the closest we could get to constant, adaptable evolution of our technology. The second skill is customer obsession. Satya [Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella] has led our company in the direction of using our customers as the judges of our products. It’s no longer a prototype team; it’s the individuals who use our products. Do you show the mindset of someone who understands their end user’s needs? Are you someone who takes the time to clarify your client’s ask and feedback? Remember that we serve diverse clients, so the right answer will very rarely fall within your own siloed perception and opinions.
Have Native students who have gone to work at Microsoft found it an easy transition? Are there ways Microsoft tries to integrate Native students into the workforce? As Latina and first-gen, I think that Microsoft, and technology in general, is not an easy transition. Many minorities are underrepresented in the industry, and it’s an opportunity that Microsoft is striving to tackle in our quest for inclusion. We’re dedicated to supporting our ERGs [employee resource groups] — for those identified as Native; we have Native Americans at Microsoft. Summer interns and full-timers alike get to opt into community events and mentorship programs to kick-start and develop their own network. There are other subtle channels, like mental health days, where Microsoft supports taking personal days in hope of ensuring that every employee feels valued, healthy, and included. All in all, inclusion for any group comes down to a matter of voicing concerns and being intentional about what you need from Microsoft to be your best self.
Note: “Find Your School” examples are listed in no particular order and are just a sampling of colleges and universities with departments that prepare aspiring professionals in computer science fields. Employers and job openings were current when we researched this story and are intended to serve as examples only to illustrate the diversity of opportunities in the top jobs in computer science.
