6 answers
Spencer
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
6
Questions
Asked
655 views
Do you benefit more in becoming a Computer Scientist or as an Electrical Engineer?
Are there more advantages/incentives in becoming a Computer Scientist or an Electrical Engineer in a way that helps you earn a higher pay rate? #engineer #scientist
6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Spence both COMPUTER SCIENCE and ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING pay wages much higher than the average median salary in America, hopefuly you'll choose a career you have a passion for rather than automatically choosing a career with the highest salary. It is helpful to think of the difference between computer science and electrical engineering in terms of the layer of technology they focus on. Computer science is more concerned with software and data structures, while electrical engineering is more focused on the hardware, infrastructure and networks that power electronic devices and enable communication. As a result, the coursework in electrical engineering and computer science master’s programs are designed to build different skill sets.
Another question to consider when choosing a degree program is whether you intend to go to graduate school. Electrical engineering is a career path that doesn’t require an advanced degree. A bachelor’s degree will qualify you for entry-level roles in electrical engineering and, if you want to pursue it, a Professional Engineering (PE) license. When electrical engineers go to graduate school, it’s because they choose to earn a master’s degree in order to develop more specialized skills or prepare for leadership roles, not because they must to find a job. On the other hand, computer scientist positions in business and academia typically require a graduate degree - such as a Master’s or Ph.D. For this career path, you should plan on devoting an additional two to three years to your education beyond earning your bachelor’s degree. The extra educational requirement can add a great deal of value to your qualifications, but it also costs time and tuition dollars. If you’re eager to get out into the workforce faster and start earning a salary, an electrical engineering degree could be a more appealing choice than a computer science degree.
So... Spence if you enjoy learning complex theory, then computer science could very well be the choice for you. As a computer science major, you would spend your education taking classes in subjects such as algorithms, computer programming, numerical analysis and computation theory. Computer scientists invent new technologies and capabilities, and they often apply these advances to problems in other fields. This may require computer scientists to work closely with other kinds of specialists, like engineers. Electrical engineering’s emphasis on applying science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles to solving problems related to computer design may make the program more appealing to students who don’t find algorithms and theory to be all that exciting. Electrical engineers work makes a tangible difference in how computers are used from the circuit level to the integration of hardware and software systems.
Hope this is helpful Spence
Another question to consider when choosing a degree program is whether you intend to go to graduate school. Electrical engineering is a career path that doesn’t require an advanced degree. A bachelor’s degree will qualify you for entry-level roles in electrical engineering and, if you want to pursue it, a Professional Engineering (PE) license. When electrical engineers go to graduate school, it’s because they choose to earn a master’s degree in order to develop more specialized skills or prepare for leadership roles, not because they must to find a job. On the other hand, computer scientist positions in business and academia typically require a graduate degree - such as a Master’s or Ph.D. For this career path, you should plan on devoting an additional two to three years to your education beyond earning your bachelor’s degree. The extra educational requirement can add a great deal of value to your qualifications, but it also costs time and tuition dollars. If you’re eager to get out into the workforce faster and start earning a salary, an electrical engineering degree could be a more appealing choice than a computer science degree.
So... Spence if you enjoy learning complex theory, then computer science could very well be the choice for you. As a computer science major, you would spend your education taking classes in subjects such as algorithms, computer programming, numerical analysis and computation theory. Computer scientists invent new technologies and capabilities, and they often apply these advances to problems in other fields. This may require computer scientists to work closely with other kinds of specialists, like engineers. Electrical engineering’s emphasis on applying science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles to solving problems related to computer design may make the program more appealing to students who don’t find algorithms and theory to be all that exciting. Electrical engineers work makes a tangible difference in how computers are used from the circuit level to the integration of hardware and software systems.
Hope this is helpful Spence
Betty Yip, PMP, CSM
Senior Director, Technical Program Manager
72
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Betty’s Answer
Hi Spencer,
There's an online site called PayScale or Glassdoor which has helpful information on salary ranges for a wide variety of professions. It would appear that software engineers make more in general than electrical engineers. The reason is that although the salary range between the two are quite similar, you have to consider the total compensation of a job offer. Total comp includes bonuses, stocks (RSUs restricted stock units and ESPPs Employee stock purchase plans) and employee benefits. At the end of the day, salary is one factor in finding a successful career, but you also need to consider the total satisfaction and reward you get from your job. Hope this helps.
There's an online site called PayScale or Glassdoor which has helpful information on salary ranges for a wide variety of professions. It would appear that software engineers make more in general than electrical engineers. The reason is that although the salary range between the two are quite similar, you have to consider the total compensation of a job offer. Total comp includes bonuses, stocks (RSUs restricted stock units and ESPPs Employee stock purchase plans) and employee benefits. At the end of the day, salary is one factor in finding a successful career, but you also need to consider the total satisfaction and reward you get from your job. Hope this helps.
Brayden Reiland
119
Answers
Corvallis, Oregon
Updated
Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
As others suggested above, focusing solely on the amount of money you make doesn't always result in happiness and its important to find a job that you truly love and enjoy and let the money follow you from there. Now to your question, computer science and electrical engineers both make good money but its because of how challenging the subjects are. As you probably know CS majors focus on writing programs and algorithms that go towards controlling machines and systems. With electrical you serve as the middle man between end user and the equipment. EE tend to focus on figuring out how to get two things to communicate and not as much as to what the devise is saying. Both disciplines require some type understanding of code and electrical circuitry. If you are truly torn on which degree to pursue and salary is the last factor then doing some google searches online will show you average salary's of both jobs. You just have to remember that these are averages and most likely your starting wage will be lower than the listed amounts.
Hope this helps!
As others suggested above, focusing solely on the amount of money you make doesn't always result in happiness and its important to find a job that you truly love and enjoy and let the money follow you from there. Now to your question, computer science and electrical engineers both make good money but its because of how challenging the subjects are. As you probably know CS majors focus on writing programs and algorithms that go towards controlling machines and systems. With electrical you serve as the middle man between end user and the equipment. EE tend to focus on figuring out how to get two things to communicate and not as much as to what the devise is saying. Both disciplines require some type understanding of code and electrical circuitry. If you are truly torn on which degree to pursue and salary is the last factor then doing some google searches online will show you average salary's of both jobs. You just have to remember that these are averages and most likely your starting wage will be lower than the listed amounts.
Hope this helps!
Sandra Flores
Network Engineer
3
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Sandra’s Answer
Hi Spencer:
I agree with my colleagues, while thinking about salary and future earnings is important, your career decision needs to be based on what you actually like to do. Remember you will be doing this for a long time so the more you love what you do the more successful you will be and in turn the better your salary will be.
Engineering in general opens the doors to many different options, computer engineering is "IN" now due to the current technology phase, but that does not mean that Electrical is not good, any engineering field is a good option. During my working years I have figure out that your field of study is a tool that you can apply in different engineering environments, in other words, being an engineer will open many doors to you and how your career and salary progress will be entirely dependent on the decisions you make to learn more, to move to other locations and to take or not opportunities that will come your way.
Good luck!
I agree with my colleagues, while thinking about salary and future earnings is important, your career decision needs to be based on what you actually like to do. Remember you will be doing this for a long time so the more you love what you do the more successful you will be and in turn the better your salary will be.
Engineering in general opens the doors to many different options, computer engineering is "IN" now due to the current technology phase, but that does not mean that Electrical is not good, any engineering field is a good option. During my working years I have figure out that your field of study is a tool that you can apply in different engineering environments, in other words, being an engineer will open many doors to you and how your career and salary progress will be entirely dependent on the decisions you make to learn more, to move to other locations and to take or not opportunities that will come your way.
Good luck!
Dan Seibel, P. Eng
Engineering manager
1
Answer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Hi Spencer,
Adding to Betty's great answer, there can be a large amount of overlap in these fields. Depending on the company you work for Engineers and Computer Scientists can be working side by side doing similar tasks. As your career progresses you may find that you start out in one field but move into others. Engineering and Computer Science degrees can cover a broad scope of career opportunities and in the end, total compensation can be based on a variety of factors also including location and industry.
Adding to Betty's great answer, there can be a large amount of overlap in these fields. Depending on the company you work for Engineers and Computer Scientists can be working side by side doing similar tasks. As your career progresses you may find that you start out in one field but move into others. Engineering and Computer Science degrees can cover a broad scope of career opportunities and in the end, total compensation can be based on a variety of factors also including location and industry.
Gourav Raghuvanshi
Salesforce Consultant
5
Answers
Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India
Updated
Gourav’s Answer
Hello
According to my, Computer Science provides a lot of wages as there is a lot of opportunities, and big MNC's are paying them a lot of wages for CS Engineers. Currently, data scientists, AI, Machine Learning are a boom in terms of wages. You can also look for the wages on glassdoor, payscale.
Good luck.
According to my, Computer Science provides a lot of wages as there is a lot of opportunities, and big MNC's are paying them a lot of wages for CS Engineers. Currently, data scientists, AI, Machine Learning are a boom in terms of wages. You can also look for the wages on glassdoor, payscale.
Good luck.
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