I am currently a Computer Engineering major. I love Computers and Robotics and I have been always great at them. Even tutors and professors say I should pursue a career with computers. I was told engineers don’t make that much money. I have been researching and I am also interested in C.I.T. (Computer Information Technology). I was very surprised that they make way more than my engineering career. I am wondering which has better pay, which would be more stable, would I have a better job opportunity with when I graduate, more flexible work environment (I don’t want to work in a factory or anything like that lol), and which would be more on demand. I love my Computer Engineering degree but I hate the work load amount but I guess that is college in general. Which do you think would be better for me or would be a career path? Should I stick to Computer Engineering or should I switch to IT?
Humans are just beginning their lives with computers; AI will cause a huge explosion in all computer-related activity. As long as it has to do with computers, you’ll be fine; choose whatever is the most fun for you.
You know, I want to know who all of these people who are saying various fields/jobs “don’t make that much money.” Because if that’s creeping into engineering now, I want to know who they think DOES make a lot of money.
Engineers are some of the most highly paid professionals. Recent college graduates with engineering degrees make some of the highest starting salaries on average, generally in the $55-65K range but with the potential to go even higher at big companies with deep pockets. By mid-career, engineering majors are average around $90-95K. There aren’t many jobs that consistently pay better than engineering positions.
Information technology/information sciences majors, on average, do not make more than engineers (definitely not WAY more). Recent grads who majored in computer information sciences make $40-50K per year on average; by mid-career they are in the $75-80K range. Respectable, of course, and above-average salaries for sure. But not more than engineers.
This is going to depend a lot on the field you choose, the company you work for, how good your skills are, where your career takes you, etc. Some companies are very flexible and some are not. You are unlikely to have to work in a factory with either major. Both can be in high demand if you have the appropriate skills, although generally speaking the unemployment rate for engineering majors is lower.
Your major isn’t the sole or even primary determinator of what your work environment will look like. For example, I majored in psychology and I work at a large tech company; I work alongside people who majored in all kinds of things.
If you like CSE but want a perhaps more flexible program, look into the CS major (NOT IT)?