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	Vol.7, No 10, September 15, 1999
	Computer jobs hottest in market By Tom Harshbarger Daily Forty-Niner Like it or not, computers are here to stay. In fact, the world relies on them more and more each day.   So it is probably no surprise that computer-related occupations are the fastest growing segment of the job market. These jobs will have grown by more than 1 million between 1996 and 2006, according to the U.S. Labor Departmentís Bureau of Labor Statistics.   "For those people with more sophisticated skills (technical fields), the employers out there are just climbing over each other to get at them," said Paul Fornell, associate director of the Career Development Center. "They will frequently make offers to these folks before they graduate."   The bureau's employment projections in the "1998-1999 Occupational Outlook Handbook" list computer science, including database administration and support, as the No. 1 fastest growing occupation in the nation. The bureau predicts a 118 percent increase in such positions from 1996 to 2006.   Computer engineering is No. 2 on the list, growing 109 percent. And systems analysis ranks third, with a 103 percent increase. All fields require at least a bachelor's degree, but study can be continued all the way up to the doctorate level.   Computer scientists and systems analysts usually need to have a degree in computer science, while computer engineers must major in either computer or electrical engineering, according to the handbook. Engineers create and repair hardware, among other things, while scientists usually program and develop software.    Cal State Long Beach offers bachelor's and masterís programs for all three majors within the College of Engineering.    In 1997, computer engineers with a bachelorís degree earned an average of $39,722 a year to start. Master's holders averaged $44,734, and those with doctorates averaged $63,367 fresh out of school, according to the handbook.    For computer scientists, businesses offered an average of $36,597 for those with bachelorís degrees. The handbook did not list salaries for masterís and doctorate recipients.    Among the top 10 on the projections list are six health-care categories (no doctors or nurses), most requiring on-the-job training as opposed to a degree. No. 8 on the list is desktop publishing, which also requires on-the-job training.   The healthy economy lends itself to greater hiring in many fields. Whatever the career choice, Fornell stressed that hard work is still needed to obtain oneís goals.    "No matter how tight or loose the job market is, the best candidate will still get the position," he said.		Teachers stress improved training Computer jobs hottest in market Package frightens residents Campus moms get support Center answers students' career questions, problems L.B. department aids job seekers Temporary jobs provide experience to students Grad advice eases student confusion A spade is still a spade U.S. owes E. Timor more than money Peruvian artist displays talent Gallo comes home Determination equals victory Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.