Thread: What are the cool CS jobs?

I'm currently a Sophomore enrolled in my Universities CS program.

I'm just curious, what are some of the cool CS jobs out there? The whole reason I got into computer science was because I was interested in doing systems/embedded programming. I love working in C and other low level systems languages, but there's just one problem--all my friends think I'm crazy.

All my buddies are C# and Java people, and they're only interested in doing IT and Business apps. Every-time I talk to them, they laugh at me and say that C and assembly are dead languages and have no future.

The thing is, I love C and I love writing code thats close to the hardware. The only reason I got into CS was because I want to take on a job where I can use those low level systems skills.

However, I'm afraid my friends are right... I just can't seem to get any good information on the kind of jobs that require low-level programming and algorithms.

I hear about cool jobs in the news, like AI research, neural nets, OS development, and embedded systems. But where are these job located, and what will it take to work for them?

A couple graduates last year from my Universities CS program managed to get jobs at Boeing working on some kind of new plane. I would love to work for a company like that! The whole, Business and IT world sucks IMO.

My real question is: "Where are some engineering based companies to work for in the CS field, like Boeing, Intel, etc..."

Your friends are not right, you're just in the wrong major.

CS is computer theory, how computers work, and a survey of programming. What you're looking for is embedded design, which is Electrical Engineering. Specifically, I would suggest looking into classes in ANSI standard C as object oriented C++ is frowned upon in embedded systems if it is even supported (in some cases like Avionics, I've been told that the FAA specifically bans it). Also, if you are serious about embedded design, you should look to hardware design languages like VHDL, and Verilog HDL.

In my opinion, C and ASM will never die. The hardware world needs both to survive, unless something incredibly more useful comes around. Also, ASM is used in almost all cases involving anti-virus writing, security and penetration testing, and generally anything that requires research into the basics in order to exploit computer architecture to do the really cool things. Ostensibly, your friends are probably right for people getting a BS in CS, and not moving further. However, if you plan to do serious research, you're going to need more than a BS, and you're going to need to work at a lower level if it involves security, viruses, or hardware platforms.

To your "real question:"

Boeing, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Wyman Gordon, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Sprint, Nextel, Motorola, Compaq, HP, Intel, Dell, LG, Llenovo, Canon, Minolta.... pretty much any company that does anything with computers or digital electronic devices. Shop around, go to career fairs, ask any company that deals in any technology.

Thank you very much for this information, alienmindsinc. As for switching to Electrical Engineering, well, I'm too far into my CS program to throw it away now.

However, I would be interested in getting a Masters in EE. I will pursue it when the time comes. Thanks for you help.

Oh heavens no! Don't even think about switching! Too much work to be redone.

What you should do is argue with your department to allow you to take embedded programming, hardware design, computer architecture and logic classes as electives. Specifically, VHDL, C, and any embedded hardware courses. Things like "Digital Electronics" where you should learn about hardware representations of digital logic.

Originally Posted by alienmindsinc

Oh heavens no! Don't even think about switching! Too much work to be redone.

What you should do is argue with your department to allow you to take embedded programming, hardware design, computer architecture and logic classes as electives. Specifically, VHDL, C, and any embedded hardware courses. Things like "Digital Electronics" where you should learn about hardware representations of digital logic.

This sounds like a great idea to me! In fact, I have taken a digital logic course and loved every minute of it. As for more specifically, embedded and VHDL courses, no, not yet, but I will certainly take your advice and pursue them.

Well if you loved Digital Logic, then VHDL is definitely for you. It is applied digital logic and I would very highly recommend studying it.

wel i live in jamaica and i would love to go in the game industry as a game programmer but no university here nor in the caribbean reall teaches game designing.but i am planning on doing computer science and teach myself so stuff dealing with gaming designing and stuff,...what tips can i have please?

Originally Posted by pep_i

wel i live in jamaica and i would love to go in the game industry as a game programmer but no university here nor in the caribbean reall teaches game designing.but i am planning on doing computer science and teach myself so stuff dealing with gaming designing and stuff,...what tips can i have please?

I wanted to go into games too...but that was before I learned the truth about the game industry. The game industry is one of the most stressful, over-worked, and underpaid jobs there is. The reason is because so many people want to do it, the the companies figure that they can pay and treat there employees less.

But, if you still want to make games, you should teach yourself c++, as it's the #1 programming language used to make AAA games. Gamedev.net is a good place to start learning. Also, gamasurta has job postings and info from industry insiders.