Thursday, February 11, 2021

What's the difference between CS and CE?

With salaries and workforce demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates at an all-time high, two red-hot majors that prospective students must be familiar with are Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Unfortunately, due to overlapping coursework and the wide leeway schools have in developing IT curricula, many prospects are confused about what these programs entail.

What's the difference between CS and CE?

Both majors are heavy in theory and practical application, which is vital for building a strong knowledge base for a range of IT careers, however, the key difference is that computer science focuses on software, while computer engineering is more about the hardware.

Use this side-by-side comparison for a deeper look at the CS and CE majors:

Computer Science Major

Core Curriculum:

Advanced Software Development
Computational Problem-Solving
Data Structures and Algorithms
Operating System (OS) Design
Advanced Mathematics inc. Calculus, Logic, Probability and Algebra
User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) Design
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Data Security/Defensive Programming

Marketable Courses & Concentrations:

Mobile Application Development
Data Mining and Business Intelligence
Web and Multimedia Design
Digital Security/Cryptography
Cloud Computing
Software Testing
Virtualization
Game Theory

Popular Career Paths:

Software Engineer
Mobile App Developer
UI/UX Designer
Computer Scientist
Wed Designer
Data Scientist
Systems Analyst

Avg. Starting Salary:

$79,077 per year (U.S.)

Computer Engineering Major

Core Curriculum:

Electronic Circuit Design
Principles of Modern Physics
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
Essential Software Development
Computer Architecture and Design
Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI)
Microprocessor Design & Interfacing
Embedded Computer System Design
Digital Signal Processing

Marketable Courses & Concentrations:

Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)
Mobile Device Engineering
Sustainable “Green” Energy
Biomedical Engineering
Game Hardware Design
User Interface Design
Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Engineering

Popular Career Paths:

Electrical Engineer
Electronics Architect
Computer Hardware Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Microchip Architect
Mobile Device Engineer
Quality Control Engineer

Avg. Starting Salary:

$69,824 per year (U.S.)

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

What type of work do computer engineers do?

what does a computer engineer do

Employment Outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers

Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. A limited number of engineers will be needed to meet the demand for new computer hardware because more technological innovation takes place with software than with hardware. However, demand may grow for hardware engineers as more industries outside of the computer and electronic product manufacturing industry begin to research and develop their own electronic devices. Thus, although declining employment in the manufacturing industries that employ many of these workers will impede the growth of this occupation, computer hardware engineers should be less affected than production occupations because firms are less likely to outsource this type of work.

An increase in hardware startup firms and the ongoing increase in devices with computer chips embedded in them, such as household appliances, medical devices, and automobiles, may lead to some job growth for computer hardware engineers.

Typical Pay for Computer Hardware Engineers

The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers was $115,080 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $66,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $172,010.

In May 2016, the median annual wages for computer hardware engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing	$124,220
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	123,050
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing	120,530
Computer systems design and related services	116,840
Federal government	109,770

Most computer hardware engineers work full time.

What Computer Hardware Engineers Do All Day

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers.

Duties

Computer hardware engineers typically do the following:

Design new computer hardware, creating schematics of computer equipment to be built
Test the computer hardware they design
Analyze the test results and modify the design as needed
Update existing computer equipment so that it will work with new software
Oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware

Many hardware engineers design devices used in manufactured products that incorporate processors and other computer components and that connect to the Internet. For example, many new cars, home appliances, and medical devices have Internet-ready computer systems built into them.

Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer hardware components work together with the latest software. Therefore, hardware engineers often work with software developers. For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones and other devices frequently are developed at the same time.

Work Environment for Computer Hardware Engineers

Computer hardware engineers held about 73,600 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of computer hardware engineers were as follows:

Computer systems design and related services	26%
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing	14
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing	12
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	9
Federal government	7

Work Schedules

Most computer hardware engineers work full time.

How To Become a Computer Hardware Engineer

Most computer hardware engineers need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited computer engineering program.

Education

Most entry-level computer hardware engineers have a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, although a degree in electrical engineering or computer science also is generally acceptable. A computer engineering major is similar to a major in electrical engineering but with a heavy emphasis on computer science.

Many engineering programs are accredited by ABET. Employers may prefer candidates who have graduated from an accredited program. To prepare for a major in computer or electrical engineering, students should have a solid background in math and science.

Because hardware engineers commonly work with computer software systems, a familiarity with computer programming is usually expected. This background may be obtained through computer science courses.

Some large firms or specialized jobs may require a master’s degree in computer engineering. Some experienced engineers obtain a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). All engineers must continue their learning over the course of their careers in order to keep up with rapid advances in technology.

Other Experience

Some students participate in internships while in school so that they can gain practical experience.

Advancement

Some computer hardware engineers can advance to become computer and information systems managers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Computer hardware engineers use computer programming tools to analyze the digital circuits in hardware to determine the best design.

Critical-thinking skills. These engineers use logic and reasoning to clarify goals, examine assumptions, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions.

Problem-solving skills. Computer hardware engineers identify complex problems in computer hardware, develop and evaluate possible solutions, and figure out the best way to implement them.

Communication skills. Engineers often work on teams and must be able to communicate with other types of engineers, software developers and programmers, as well as with nontechnical team members.

"Computer Hardware Engineers" SOC: 17-2061 OOH Code: U074

Thank you BLS.gov.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Average Salary Information for U.S. Workers

what is the average salary

How much is the average U.S. worker's salary? Salaries vary based on gender, education, occupation, industry, geographical location, ethnicity, and other factors. Learn more information about salaries in a variety of categories and calculators to use to determine the salary for specific occupations.

Average Salary Information for U.S. Workers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for workers in the United States in the first quarter of 2020 was $957 per week or $49,764 per year (assuming 52 weeks of work per year). Wages were 5.7% higher than a year earlier.

What's considered a good salary in one job or metro area may not be in another. For example, workers in professional, management, and related occupations earned the highest pay. In these jobs, men earned a median annual salary of $80,912, while women earned a median annual salary of $59,176. However, in service occupations, men earned a median annual salary of $34,632, while women earned a median annual salary of $29,068.1

Jobs in large metropolitan cities, which have higher costs of living, also tend to pay more than jobs in more rural and suburban areas.

Salary also varies by factors such as gender, education, and more.

Average Salaries for U.S. Men and Women

The BLS reports that, in the first quarter of 2020, men earned a median annual salary of $55,432, while women made a median annual salary of $44,564, or 80.4% of men’s earnings.

Average Salary by Race

Race and ethnicity also play a role in salaries for men and women. For example, White women earned 79.7% as much as their male counterparts, compared with 90.2% for Black women.

However, Black men made a median annual salary of $42,796, which is only 75.1% of what White men earned ($56,992). The difference for women was a bit less; Black women’s median annual earnings were 85% ($38,584) of White women’s median annual earnings ($45,396).The BLS also provides information on Hispanic and Asian wage earners, who earned a median annual salary of $37,544 and $63,492, respectively.

Average Salary by Age

Salaries also varied by age, but men and women had different earnings peaks. For example, men aged 45 to 54 had the highest median annual salary ($64,740). Women, on the other hand, earned the highest annual wages between ages 35 and 44 ($48,984).

Average Salary Based on Education

The BLS data clearly reveals that completing more education pays off. Workers aged 25 and over without a high school degree had median annual earnings of $31,668 over the first quarter of 2020 compared to $39,936 for high school graduates without a college degree. College graduates with at least a bachelor's degree earned a median salary of $72,020 annually.

What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

how much does someone with a a+ certification earn

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

While A+ certification is an entry-level credential, you’ll find salaries vary greatly depending on a number of different factors. Among those factors are years of experience, the city where you’re employed, the actual job role you fill and even your gender. The average salary for a man with A+ certification ranges from $38,248 to $74,186. However, a woman with A+ certification has an average salary from $38,965 to $68,228. A+ certification holders are primarily male – only 7% of those with A+ certification are women.

What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

The potential salary for an A+ certificate holder will vary significantly depending on where you live. For instance, in New York City, you might earn between $39,873 and $77,949. However, in Dallas, Texas, you might earn between $39,005 and $81,867. In Chicago, you have the potential to earn $40,960 and $74,000, while A+ certificate holders in Washington, DC, might earn between $48,011 and $104,506. Finally, those living and working in Seattle, Washington, might earn between $43,505 and $81,811.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

how much can you make with an it certification

You’ve no doubt heard that certifications can boost your salary. And to a large extent, that’s true: For example, Foote Partners LLC has conducted annual studies that show certain certifications in security and systems administration can boost their holders’ market value by roughly a third within a period of six months.

But does that mean every tech pro should spend enormous amounts of time, money, and sweat to earn certifications? According to the Dice Salary Survey, some 47 percent of tech pros have a certification. But another 24 percent said that a certification wasn’t needed for their role, and 29 percent said they didn’t have one for other reasons (for example, a portion said their company refused to pay for one).

Over the years, various pundits have argued against certifications. Some say that software evolves at a rapid pace, quickly rendering technology platforms obsolete. Others question the time and cost relative to the benefits of actually possessing certain kinds of certifications. Still others think the testing around certifications only shows that people can do tests—not that they can respond to the variable, often weird situations that tech pros encounter on a regular basis.

“Recruiters sometimes have trouble determining a developer’s degree of technical experience, and so insist upon certificates or tests to judge abilities,” Dice writer David Bolton wrote in an article about the worthiness of certs. “If you manage to get past them to the job interview, the interviewer (provided they’re also a developer) can usually get a good feel for your actual programming ability and whether you’ll fit well with the group.” In other words, companies can often get a sense of your skills without a certification.

All that being said, there are highly specialized jobs that definitely require a certification; in these cases, employers simply won’t hire tech pros who don’t have one. For example, a company with a tech stack that’s mostly Cisco-based will want network professionals with Cisco certs.

Even if their job doesn’t demand a certification, tech pros certainly want training and education, according to the Salary Survey. Some 71 percent told Dice that they thought education and training benefits were important, even though 40 percent actually received such benefits from their companies (a stunning gap). Tech pros realize that more education and skills can translate into raises and better benefits—whether at their current company, or another one.

In other words, certifications are worth it for specialized tech pros—but not having a certification isn’t an impediment to a successful career in tech for many. If you’re interested in advancing your career, ask your employer if they’re willing to foot the bill for training and classes; you might luck out.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Is an A+ GPA Good?

what is the range for an a+

An A+ is much higher than the national average GPA, which is a B. It’s the highest GPA you can attain, so congratulations!

For high school students

Do everything you can to maintain this GPA, but don’t forget that college admission officers like to see participation in extracurricular activities and a solid standardized test score.

For college students

Well done, you’ve faced the rigorous academic course load and are prepared to succeed in both graduate school and the workforce.

How Can I Raise My GPA?

You can’t! But you must work hard to keep it. Here are some ways to keep your GPA from slipping.

Keep a schedule so you don’t lose track of test dates and assignment due dates.
Help other students study. This will help you really understand the material.
Don’t get complacent! It will be difficult to maintain a perfect GPA.
For more: what is the range for an a+

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Average A+ Salary

comptia a+ certification salary

Introduction

Interested in getting started as an information security professional? There are quite a few potential points of entry, but earning your A+ certification might be an excellent option. Infosec positions are widely available across the U.S., and with the right certification and minimum experience, you can embark on a rewarding career.The right certification will also ensure that you have the ability to move on to higher certs as you build confidence and experience, giving you the ability to earn more and

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

New York City, NY — $39,873 – $77,949
Dallas, Texas — $39,005 – $81,867
Chicago, IL — $40,960 – $74,000
Washington, DC — $48,011 – $104,506
Seattle, WA — $43,505 – $81,811

As expected, earning potential for A+ certification holders increases with additional experience, certifications and responsibilities. Entry-level A+ holders can expect to earn around $40,000 annually. Average salaries for A+ certified professionals based on years of experience are reported below.