As stated on the Computer.Org Web site, computers are used in almost every aspect of our lives: in car engines, microwave ovens, video games, watches, telephones, desktops at home and work, mainframe computers in government and industry, and supercomputers expanding the frontiers of science and technology. The computer industry is one of the fastest growing segments of our economy and that growth promises to continue well into the next century.

Career opportunities are available in many computer-related fields, including artificial intelligence, information technology, software engineering, web development, operating systems and networks, education, and more.  An exciting field of growth and opportunity is bioinformatics, roughly defined by Bioinformatics.Org as “any use of computers to handle biological information.  In practice, the definition used by most people is narrower; bioinformatics to them is a synonym for ‘computational molecular biology’ or ‘computational chemistry’---the use of computers to characterize the molecular components of living things.”

Good communication and interpersonal skills are a must in the computer and math fields.  CIS majors are encouraged to take a math minor and/or a business minor.  A minor or double major in biology or chemistry would also be a good background for this field.  Selected career titles include:

·         Computer programmer

·         Database manager

·         Software developer

·         Robotics programmer

·         Computer marketing/sales

·         Web design/developer

·         Computer teacher (requires the M. Ed)

·         Bio-informatics specialist

There are many Web sites devoted to careers in the computing profession, including Computer Work, Computer Jobs, and Computer Careers.

Those interested in more information regarding engineering should visit NU’s Pre-Engineering Web site.

Visit Niagara University's Graduate Studies Web site for more information regarding graduate studies and, for more information regarding career planning, visit Niagara University's Career Development Web site.

See also the College of Arts and Sciences Career Planning page; especially see the sections devoted to Computers & Math, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math, and the CIS Links page, particularly these sections: Graduate/Professional Education; Careers