Working for Big Names

<p>So hi I am not in USA and I have applied to several different universities for Software engineering and Computer sciences. So I just wanted to ask that it is my dream working for Microsoft or apple or google but where do i start, Should i go for software engineering or Computer Sciences I am confused i dont exactly know which field will help me earn more and what has more advantages over another because i have seen some non-engineers earning more then engineers and how is it different from working for big names as compared to Small local software houses? By the way I am not from United States.
Thank You</p>

<p>If you want to just to be a software engineer, i.e., the one that codes everything, then choose software engineering as your major if your school offers it. NOW, very limited amount of schools offer it, it’s normally a subset of their CS program most likely. CS is broader than just coding and making software, although it’s a big part o it. It also branches out into AI, Theory (ooh the joy…), and Systems/Networking. </p>

<p>On the Big Names vs Small Business job experience, there’s other post out there that can elaborate more than me, just just to contribute a bit, in small you’re contributions will be higher to the overall development and also you have more freedom in how to carry out your job.</p>

<p>Studying myself too, but I’ve interned at a small company long enough to tell you that. Good luck!</p>

<p>Just one more thing to ask. There is a college here offering double majors in Computer sciences and economics. Do you think that will increase my chances of getting a big money job or should I just take CS and be perfect in it
Thank You</p>

<p>Many people who major in CS get jobs as Software Engineers, so you don’t have to do a software engineering major if it isn’t available. You can work at any of the companies with that degree. The econ double major or minor may be interesting depending upon what you want to do. You might be interested in Google’s selective APM program, to bring up product managers instead of going the straight engineering route. PM’s make the big bucks. Read “In the Plex”. Similar program now started at Yahoo. MS hires PM’s out of school too.</p>

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Your dream is too just simply work at a company to make a living? You really don’t have much passion for CS clearly, so that will probably reflect in your ability to succeed.</p>

<p>You know what I liked about some of my past assignments?..When I walked into that small workers-compensation firm outside of Philadelphia and they had ALL of there files in paper folders and needed a database system to do all types of trending reports and whatnot. That company looked to me and was like “help please”…and I did.</p>

<p>Since I ended up being their 1-man I.T. shop, they had me sitting a much nicer plush office than my own employer. I almost made my own hours and they gave me rave reviews to my employer (which ended up in raises, bonuses and whatnot).</p>

<p>It wasn’t just so “I CAN SAY”…“I work here”.</p>

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I would recommend going to an internationally recognized school for CS, -or- any of the ABET-CAC accredited four-year institutions with CS programs in the college of engineering. That would put you into the running for jobs at any of these companies. You can improve your odds by getting involved in extracurricular activities like internships, co-ops, professional organizations, open source projects, etc.</p>

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Computer science is the traditional degree program for those who wish to pursue careers as computer programmers, software developers, and other IT professionals like database and network administrators. Software engineering programs are usually a specialization of Computer science programs which focus more on business and management aspects of executing a software project.</p>

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i dont exactly know which field will help me earn more and what has more advantages over another because i have seen some non-engineers earning more then engineers

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For US employment and compensation information, the gold standard is the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. You can find it online and browse various occupations.</p>

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I’ve never really worked for a small shop before, so take this with a grain of salt. My impression is that the difference is making a big splash in a small pond versus making small ripples in the ocean. Sure, you can throw your weight around a lot at a smaller place, but there are simple limits to what you can achieve at a smaller place. At a big place, it’s harder to get noticed - there are lots of big fish in the sea - but if the stars align, there’s plenty of opportunity to claw your way to the top. In terms of compensation, I’d actually bet that overall compensation vs. cost of living about washes out. Employment at big places is usually pretty secure, benefits are great, and pay is decent. At smaller places, pay and awards (stock, bonus, etc.) may be higher, but benefits are typically less impressive and there’s more inherent uncertainty.</p>

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If you require sponsorship and/or relocation, big-name companies may be a better bet from a logistics standpoint. These companies can and do bring in foreign talent all the time. Not sure how feasible this would be for smaller shops.</p>

<p>This has been so helpful, honestly it has answered so many of my questions. One thing that still buzz me sometimes is lets say i am eligible and talented enough to work for Microsoft or apple or any big name in States and they have called me or whatever. So would this help me in getting a Visa or anything or will it still be that difficult to get a Visa for states like it is for normal people in normal days. Aand is working for Microsoft at Redmond any different then working for them at UK or Dubai or any other place?</p>