Running head: TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

Top Ten Computer Science Careers

Veronica Aranda
Salt Lake Community College

TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

Top Ten Computer Science Careers

Veronica Aranda - Salt Lake Community College - CSIS1030
Students, who successfully complete upper secondary education, are admitted to
different institutions of higher learning to pursue professional careers. Higher education
institutions offer a golden opportunity for students to engage in learning that equips them
with special skills. Students often seek prior career guidance about a professional career that
suits them and one that they can successfully complete and thereafter secure employment.
Computer Science is one of the popular undergraduate majors in most colleges. The number
of students enrolling in Computer Science major continues to follow an upward trajectory.
Computer Science attracts some of the highest and well-paying jobs, a factor that contributed
to an increase in the number of students enrolling to undergo special training in colleges.
Computer Science major also offers distinct areas of specialization. Students, who enroll in
colleges, can decide to specialize in one specific area that forms the basis of their professional
path. This paper explores the top ten computer science careers.
The demand for computer science careers has continued to increase over the last two
decades. The top ten computer science careers are classified according to their demand and
remunerations they attract. The following are the top ten computer science careers;
Applications architect
Application architect is a computer science technical manager, who is well versed in a
wide range of technical responsibilities. To a large extent, this type of career is dependent on
broad knowledge of software. An application architect is very knowledgeable in project
management experience, development of senior-software applications. As a technical
manager, an application architect supervises software development, provides professional
guidance to architects, who have specific roles. In addition, an application architect interacts
with developers to offer guidance on how to incorporate architecture aspects in software

TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

programs. This career is ideal for a person, who is knowledgeable in software development
frameworks and programming languages. This career requires an individual, who has at least
five years of experience in related job and has a salary range an application architect is
approximately $112,000 per year ("Software Architect, Applications Salary", 2015).
Applications development manager
An application manger is responsible for supervising software applications that are
designed purposely to be used within a company. Other roles include supervising project
managers, managers of other teams and software analysts. An application manager is also
responsible for providing schedule projects, monitoring timelines and resources used in
software development ("The 50 Highest Paying Jobs in Computer Science - Computer
Science Zone", 2014).One of the minimum requirements is at least five years of senior-level
experience. This career attracts a salary of about $107, 000 per year ("Best Jobs For
Computer Science Majors | PayScale", 2015).
Information security manager
Information security manager attends to security needs within a company and ensures
all systems and networks are protected. The manager oversees the implementation of security
needs, documentation of security policies and managing different security teams within a
company. The salary scale of an information security manager is approximately $103,000 per
year ("Best Jobs For Computer Science Majors | PayScale", 2015). A prerequisite of this
career requires an individual, who is well versed in specific security systems and software.
Software developer/Engineer
In recent years, software developer/engineer career has emerged as one of the most
highly sought computer science careers. The modern world revolves around automated and
computerized system. The brains behind these super systems are the software developers.
Software developers are creative people who play around with lines of codes to produce

TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

applications and systems. They develop systems that can be used by users, who only see the
interface or they can develop an application that can be used to run a device. The salary scale
is about $100,690 per annum ("Computer and Information Technology Occupations:
Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics", 2015).
Network architect
A network architect is responsible for designing different computer networks such as
intranets, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN). Network specialists are
responsible for testing networks, monitor usage and upgrade network requirements depending
on prevailing business requirements. This position attracts a salary of about $100,240 per
annum ("Computer and Information Technology Occupations: Occupational Outlook
Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics", 2015).
Data warehouse manager
This position is becoming popular because of the dynamic and volatile business
environment. The manager is responsible for collecting and analyzing business data. Other
responsibilities include identifying and incorporating relevant business requirements ("The 50
Highest Paying Jobs in Computer Science - Computer Science Zone", 2014).
Data architect
A person in charge of this position is responsible for ensuring that a company has an
effective data architecture that can support all the business processes. A data architect
manages databases, data integration and data access. The salary scale is approximately
$111,000 annually ("The 50 Highest Paying Jobs in Computer Science - Computer Science
Zone", 2014).
Software quality assurance manager
A software quality assurance manager is responsible for ensuring that software
applications designed to meet the required quality assurance requirements. This manager

TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

interacts with other stakeholders involved in the design of software programs to offer
professional guidance regarding quality assurance aspects. Quality assurance manager also
managers role-specific individuals like testers, quality assurance analysts and leads. The
average salary scale is about $101, 817 per annum ("Best Jobs For Computer Science Majors
| PayScale", 2015).
UX designer
The need to design usable systems that improve the user experience is increasingly
pushing the demand for more UX designers. These professionals are responsible for the
designing of software interface and recommending design patterns that are ideal. The salary
of a UX designer is about $72,134 per year ("Best Jobs For Computer Science Majors |
PayScale", 2015).
Database manager
A database manager is responsible for managing data assets a company, database
design, ensuring data access, provide data backup options. In addition, a database manager
supervises other specialists like database administrators.
The above careers are some of the most highly sought computer science careers.
Securing most the careers mentioned requires competency of different aspects and experience
in other related jobs. They attract different remunerations. The demand for these careers will
continue to increase given the current wave of automation taking place. However, the world
of computer science is also dynamic. Some of the careers mentioned may not be in demand
20 years from now.

TOP TEN COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREERS

References
Best Jobs For Computer Science Majors | PayScale. (2015). Payscale.com. Retrieved
3 May 2016, from http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/common-jobs-formajors/computer-science
Computer and Information Technology Occupations : Occupational Outlook
Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015). Bls.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2016, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/
The 50 Highest Paying Jobs in Computer Science - Computer Science Zone. (2014).
Computer Science Zone. Retrieved 3 May 2016, from
http://www.computersciencezone.org/50-highest-paying-jobs-computer-science/