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June 5, 2008
Following college graduation, some University of Minnesota students may be worried about an uncertain future due to talk of a recession. But the demand for computer science graduates is on the rise and worker shortages the field are making computer science and engineering a hot degree.
“Eight out of 10 employers who recruit on campus are interested in computer science (students),” said Darren Kaltved, associate director of the University’s Career Center for Science and Engineering. In the past few years, he said the demand for computer science students has nearly doubled and students often have three or four jobs to choose from upon graduation.
Derek Straka, a computer science senior who graduated in May, already had a job lined up at Lockheed Martin in Eagan, Minn. He said he went on 14 job interviews and had five offers to choose from before accepting the position at Lockheed Martin. “There is an incredible demand for our students,” said CSE professor Mats Heimdahl.
Available job data supports this demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that of the top six fastest growing occupations, three are computer science related jobs. Also, data from the Computing Research Association's Web site shows that in 2007, computer science and computer engineering jobs ranked in the top five for average starting salary offers to college graduates, with offers averaging $53,051 and $55,920, respectively.
Maryanne Gay, Quality Engineering and Internal Auditing Manager with General Dynamics, said she sees the shortage and is concerned. “I want to be able to retire someday,” she said.
To help address the issue, Gay and a group of industry members, the Computer Science Associates (CSA) are working with CSE on strategies to meet the future demands of industry. “It’s crucial that we have enough computer science workers to meet the future job demands,” she said. For more information about how to get involved, e-mail: industry_relations@cs.umn.edu.
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