Careers in Computing and
IT
Luke Riley
Department of Computer Science
http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk
About Myself
www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~luker
Careers in Computing
Why Computing & IT?
Careers in Computing
Understanding the Computational World
Careers in Computing
Our recent graduates
42% go on to graduate
studies of which:
40% at Liverpool
rest in other locations
among which: UCL,
Imperial, LSE, Kings
College London, Lancaster,
Bath, Exeter, Manchester,
York and St Andrews
Of the 58% not going onto
graduate studies, 78% have
found graduate jobs.
Careers in Computing
More than any other university in the North
West and any other member of the Russel
Group
Our recent graduates
42% go on to graduate
studies of which:
40% at Liverpool
rest in other locations
among which: UCL,
Imperial, LSE, Kings
College London, Lancaster,
Bath, Exeter, Manchester,
York and St Andrews
Of the 58% not going onto
graduate studies, 78% have
found graduate jobs.
Careers in Computing
More than any other university in the North
West and any other member of the Russell
Group
Typical Graduate Job Titles
Build Engineer
Business Analyst
Consultant Test Analyst
Cyber Scientist
Government Officer
(Graduate) Software
Developer/Engineers
Graduate Trainee Teachers
Junior Control Systems
Engineer
PHP Programmer
Senior Programmer
Technical Account Manager
Technical Project Analyst
Technology Consultant
Web Developer
Java Programmer
“I was flabbergasted to learn that today computer science isn't even taught as standard in
UK schools”
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt (August 2011)
Careers in Computing
Graduate Job Employers
ADB Multiquote
Apple
BAE Systems Deltica
Bank of America
Beijing Zhangxun Hudong
Bizznet
Chinese Government
Click Consult
Comptel
Crowder Consulting
DSTL
HSBC
Health Intelligene
Hewlett Packard
IBM
Incendia Payyment Solutions
LRDA
Liveling New Media
Careers in Computing
Microsoft
Moneysupermarket.com
Netbuilder Ltd
One Iota
Out Herd Ltd
Rain & Matthew Trade Ltd
Report International
Ripple Effect
Sefton Chamber of Commerce
Sonargaon
Suzhou Biaochi Network
Telefonica Investigation
Telesoft Technologies
Trader Media Group
Travel Jigsaw
Ultamation Limitied
Zen Internet
from
www.payscale.com
Salaries: Key Stats
Large differences in market sectors:
PHP or ASP: 42.5K
Business intelligence/consultancy:
52.5K
Banking or Business Analyst: 62.5K
PostGraduate Degrees lead to better
salaries
Careers in Computing
from
www.payscale.com
Salaries: Key Stats
Careers in Computing
How can a career in Computing and I.T. match
your personality?
Here are some examples….
Careers in Computing
Creative-based Computing
Game Design
Website
Design
App building
Careers in Computing
Psychology/Philosophy-based Computing
Developing A.I.
Communication
Careers in Computing
Developing
Cooperating
A.I
Developing A.I.
Reasoning
Sociology-based Computing
Analysing Social Networks
Careers in Computing
Business-based Computing
Trading in Financial Markets
Auction Design
Internet Economics
Careers in Computing
Engineering-based computing
Developing and Analysing
Robotics
Careers in Computing
Pure Mathematical-based Computing
Optimising Problems
Solving problems previously
unreachable by the
human-mind
Careers in Computing
What do Employers Want?
Java, C, Prolog, OO design, Scripting
Languages, etc.
Technical Skills
Competence on main programming languages
... but also knowledge of programming principles
Analysis & abstraction skills
Employability Skills
Foundations: Algorithms, Network,
Theory of Computation, Game Theory,
Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, etc.
Communication skills, problem-solving, teamwork
Experience
Mac OS X 10.4: 86m SLOC; Debian Linux 2.2:
45m SLOC (~14.000 person-years worth of work)
Exploitation in hands-on projects of the skills
acquired
These are incorporated in University programs:
Final Year Projects, Year in industry placements
Careers in Computing
Year in Industry Placements
To date, placements have lead to permanent job offers
to the majority of students after their degree
Give our students the chance to:
Find, apply for and interview for placements from
a wide selection of UK industrial opportunities
Work for one year (being paid!) within an
industrial environment
Provide our students with:
Hands-on experience in a real-world work
environment
Appreciation of the need to master the principles
covered by our degrees
A significant item in their CV
Careers in Computing
Careers and Employability Service
Help exploring career options
Find part-time jobs and work
experience
Volunteering
Starting own business
Application and interview
techniques
... and much more
Careers in Computing
www.liv.ac.uk/caree
rs/
Some questions to ask about CS university
courses
Is the course accredited (e.g. by
)?
Does the course strike a good balance between
theory/principles and practice?
Does the course include team-based projects?
Is there an opportunity of industrial experience?
Are Final Year Projects included in the program?
Are the lab facilities up-to-date?
How easy is to change courses if my interests change?
Does the University provide a student careers service?
Careers in Computing
Technical Skills
the tools of your career
Programming paradigms and languages
Java, C, OO design, Prolog, Event-Driven
programming, Scripting Languages
Software Development life-cycle and Algorithmic
Foundations
Abstract & Theoretical Principles: “Thinking
computationally”
Networks, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Game
Theory ...
Careers in Computing
Employability Skills
the know-how for applying your tools
Communication skills
Oral, written and presentation skills
Teamwork
Problem solving skills
Thinking logically, analytically, and critically
Careers in Computing
Experience
... learning by doing
Hands-on
Showing proficiency with the tools you master, and the
skills you have (e.g. in team projects) to solve complex
problems
Final year projects, Team modules
Internships during summer, Placement experience
(year in industry programs), Coding clubs
Careers in Computing
Questions?
Careers in Computing