Why Choose Computing?
What is computing and what can I do with it?
Overview
The Computing major at Saint Vincent College has concentrations in Information Technology
as well as Computer Science. What are these about?
Information Technology has to do with setting up and
managing networks, servers, software, and other technology for an
organization. You might work for the government, a large or small company, a college or school, etc.
With the rapid changes in technology this is a challenging job that requires creative thinking
and good communications skills.
Computer Science, some think, is about programming. It is, but that is only the beginning.
It includes so much in addition. Computer science includes
artificial intelligence, user interface design, data communications, graphics, and many more areas.
Student Projects
One way to see what computing involves is to see what types of projects our students have done, perhaps as
class projects, senior projects, internships, or paid work done for the department. Here are some examples.
A lot of creative work was certainly done!
- Set up and configure a new 2-processor server, including the setup of its web server, database,
account creation scripts, etc.
- Create a program and database to automate operations for a small retail store.
- Set up a firewall to protect servers from hackers.
- Create a web application/web site to coordinate the collection of charitable donations.
- Create both the client and server software for online chat.
- Create blog software by setting up a database and web application.
- Revise an organization's network design so as to provide greater security and speed.
- Create a program where you navigate through a 3D maze.
- Create an ecommerce web site.
- Create a computer game that is played over the network.
- Create a website to handle online ticketing for a student-run theater organization.
- Create a message board where students can collaborate on a project.
- Write software to create and play audio sequences.
- Set up a cluster of Linux-based computers.
- Create interactive educational software.
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Jobs Held by Graduates
Another way to see what computing is about is to look at where our graduates have gone and what
they have done. Here are some examples:
- One grad does computer security work for a large online retailer.
- One creates solutions for businesses by adapting software
from a major software developer and by writing new software as well.
- Another writes software to mine information from a database on diabetes patients.
In other words, he writes bioinformatics software.
- Several are software developers for defense contractors, companies, etc.
- One is a network technician for a school district, while another does much
the same work for a small college.
- Two graduates work in the networking and security field.
- One does database work for a medical supply company, while another does database
work at a large corporation.
- Several do IT work (e.g. system administration, managing servers,
installing and configuring various types of
technology, etc.) for a number of companies and colleges.
- A couple of our graduates do web development.
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Graduate School & Employers
Our graduates have completed Masters degrees at universities
such as CMU, Pitt, RPI, Robert Morris College, etc.
They have been employed by organizations such as CMU, UPMC, PNC Bank, Northrup-Grummand, Raytheon,
Marconi Communications, Kennametal, IBM, US Steel, Concurrent Technologies, Allin Consulting,
Mellon Bank, Equitable Gas, Latrobe Steel, Westinghouse Specialty Metals, the
Social Security Administration, ProLogic, General Carbide, the R. J. Lee Group, etc.
The Interdisciplinary Bioinformatics Major
Are you interested in computing and biology? If so, then bioinformatics would be a great area
for you to study. According to our college bulletin, "Bioinformatics is the study of biology,
biochemistry, biophysics, medicine, and health, using the discrete analytical tools of mathematics
and computer science." This is an interdisciplinary major that combines several disciplines into a
powerful combination. Two of our graduates in CIS actually write bioinformatics software for a living.
They had to learn their biology on their own, but if you know that you want to work in this field,
it is better to get the needed background as an undergraduate. The college's web page on the
bioinformatics major states that "Students majoring in Bioinformatics can look forward to careers
in the healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as research opportunities
in universities and government laboratories." Note that southwestern Pennsylvania has several
potential employers for bioinformatics graduates.
Links to Additional Information
- According to CNN,
5 out of the 10 fastest growing jobs, both in terms of number of positions and salary,
are in the field of computing! The 5 are: computer systems software engineer,
computer applications software engineer, computer systems analyst, database administrator,
and network systems and data communication analyst.
- Meet Our Alumni
Read what some of our alumni have done. It is a good way to start thinking about what
you might do in a career in this field.
- Computing Careers Information from the
Association for Computing Machinery.
- What about offshoring of jobs? Read the ACM report entitied
Globalization and Offshoring of Software.
The same ACM report indicates that there are more tech jobs now than at the height of the dot com
boom.
- What's the best job in the U.S.?
According to CNN Money in 2006 it's software engineering!
In 2007, CNN Money lists
IT generalist and network administrator among their top 20 jobs for young people. Plus, they
list webmaster and senior database administrator in their hottest salaries section.
- Check out the ACM's Computing
Careers brochure, designed especially for high school students.
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