| CAREERS FOR GRADUATES |
There are many different career options available for Computer Science graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Computer Science graduates have gone on to.
Many students who are enrolled in computer science studies also complete courses/programs in additional disciplines, such as mathematics, statistics, economics, CCIT, management, GIS, biology, etc. Consider exploring careers that combine your computer science studies with other disciplines that are of interest to you.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.
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- *Computer engineer
- *Computer network specialist
- *Computer programmer
- *Computer support
- *Computer trainer
- *Database developer
- *Desktop publisher
- *Graphic designer
- *Inventor
- *Medical imaging technician
- *Scientist
- *Video game developer
- *Web developer
- *Webmaster
- *Website designer
- *Multimedia developer
- *Illustrator
- *Business Systems Analyst
- *Technical sales representative
- *Corporate Trainer
- *Electronics engineering technician
- *Management consultant
- *Pilot
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- *Statistician (e.g., work for the census bureau, in health research)
- *Operations Research Analyst (e.g., for a courier company)
- *Logistics Specialist
- *Research Analyst (Financial)
- *GIS Specialist
- *Lawyer
- *Project Manager
- *Technical Writer
- Software analyst
- Systems architect or analyst
- Information Specialist
- Computer Systems Specialist
- CSIS- Canadian Security Intelligence Service positions (e.g., Communication Analysts, Intelligence Officers, etc.)
- Strategic Planner
- Telecommunications specialist
- E-Commerce specialist
- Network architect
- *High school Teacher
- *Professor
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| Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Career Centre. |
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WHO EMPLOYS COMPUTER SCIENCE GRADUATES?
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- Computer/ software/ telecommunication companies
- Government
- Software/ hardware manufacturers
- Organizations such as banks, insurance companies, retail chains
- Consulting firms
- Graphic design firms
- Engineering firms
- Test Development companies
- Self-employed
- Contract and temporary employers
- Health/ medical/ hospitals
- Universities, colleges, and school boards
…and many others! |
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SKILLS DEVELOPED BY COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJORS
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| Research Skills: |
- ability to analyze and evaluate information
- ability to conduct journal research
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| Technical Skills: |
- write, debug, and test programs
- research, design and develop computer systems
- develop programs: e.g., new computer languages, simulations, systems analysis, etc.
- ability to install software and hardware
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| Problem Solving Skills : |
- ability to think logically and reason
- ability to conceptualize models
- ability to formulate, model, and solve problems from diverse areas
- ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret results
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| Communication Skills: |
- ability to summarize, condense and organize ideas and information (e.g., write a brochure describing a computer product)
- ability to articulate, explain, and teach technical information to others
- ability to question and probe to solve computer problems (e.g., in trouble shooting)
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| Organizational Skills: |
- manage time effectively
- manage multiple priorities during peak times of academic year
- attentiveness to details
- ability to organize and maintain data that is stored
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| SAMPLE JOB LISTINGS FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS/RECENT GRADUATES |
Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.
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- Programmer/Analyst, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board
- Code Control Adminstrator, Scotiabank
- Computer Support/Programmer Analyst, UofT Career Centre
- Software Engineer, Cisco Systems
- Graphic Studio/Technical Computer Repair Assistant, William Ashley
- Computer Science/Computer Engineer, Dofasco, Inc.
- Internet Games Developer, Koei Canada Inc.
- Microsoft Technical Sales, Microsoft
- Data Analyst, Capital One Financial
- Reporting Analyst (SQL), Stryker Canada
- Java Developer, Evertz Microsystems
- Jr. Network Administrator, Truition
- IBM Technology Instruction and Consultant, Astech. Solutions Inc.
- Associate Technical Consultant, Workbrain Inc.
- VB Application Developer, QBuild Corporation
- Tech. Sales Consultant, Novell Inc.
- Helpdesk Analyst – NRT Technology Group
- DBA/System Administartor, Global Maritime Transportation Systems
- Technical Writer, Altera Corporation
- Website & Database Administrator, Association for Women’s Rights in Development
- Software Engineers, Electronic Arts (Canada)
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PEOPLE IN THE FIELD
ALUMNI PROFILES
Learn from U of T graduates and how they transferred their degree to the world of work. We have dozens of alumni profiles in the Career Centre from grads who want to share their experiences and advice. Some examples are included below; check the Alumni Profiles section of our website for more information.
Francis Palattao
Degree: B.Sc.
Major: Computer Science
Year Of Graduation: 2000
Francis Palattao is a Senior Consultant for a top consulting firm. “The pay is good and I travel a lot, but it’s difficult to have a personal life outside of work,” he says. “In my line of work, it’s important to be resourceful, to have initiative as well as good technical writing skills.” Francis previously worked as a Java Developer for one year and a Consultant for two years before landing his current position. [Read more...]
Vivien Chiew Ling Ang
Degree: B.Sc.
Majors: Computer Science, Economics
Year Of Graduation: 1996
Vivien Chiew Ling Ang is a technical consultant with Microsoft Malaysia.
“My role involves designing and building solutions for customers all around the region from plantations, financial industries, heath care, and telecommunications. Specifically, I focus on building business intelligence solutions on the Microsoft platform,” says Vivien.
She says her job requires her to be outgoing, willing to listen, flexible, agile, honest, assertive, logical, responsible, hardworking and technically skilled. [Read more...]
INFORMATION INTERVIEW CONTACTS BINDER
Speak with professionals, many of whom are U of T graduates, willing to talk to students about their careers and eager to share their experiences and advice. Networking contacts available include: Director of IT, Webmaster, President of a software development company. For more information, please visit the Career Centre.
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| HOW TO GET EXPERIENCE |
| Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time, volunteer and internship opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online. |
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ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCE: Work-Study Program
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The Work-Study program provides eligible U of T students with an opportunity to work on campus at U of T Mississauga/St. George during the academic year and gain academic/career related experience. Previous postings have included:
- Help Desk Consultant, U of T Mississauga Computing Services
- Web Manager, U of T Mississauga Centre for Visual & Media Culture
- Software Developer, Communication, Culture and Information Technology
- Junior Web Admin., U of T Mississauga Computing Services
- Security Analyst, U of T Mississauga Dept. of Math and Computational Sciences
- Database Consultant, U of T Mississauga Dept. of Sociology
...and many others! Positions are posted online every September. Click here for more info.
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Professional Experience Year (PEY)
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The University of Toronto's Professional Experience Year (PEY) is your opportunity to turn classroom knowledge into valuable work experience. Gain work experience, clarify your career path, build industry contacts and make money. Lasting between 12- to 16-months, a PEY internship gives you more time and opportunity to gain all the advantages a work placement can offer.
Click here for a description of PEY and further information for students at the Mississauga campus
Click here for the PEY website
U of T Mississauga Computational Sciences Internships: www.utm.utoronto.ca/579.0.html
Computer Science Association of Erindale - An undergraduate student association: http://csae.techsplice.com
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Volunteer to Get Experience (sample of opportunities previously listed via the Career Centre)
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- Web Developer, Undergraduate Commerce Society (U of T Mississauga)
- Data Analyst, Women and Environment International Magazine (St. George campus)
- Database Developer, The Salvation Army
- Graphic Designer, St. Christopher House
- Monitoring Database Officer, Canadian Society for International Health
- Tutors in Computer Lab, Pathways to Education program
- Computer technician, Community Environment Alliance
- Webmaster, Air Pollution Coalition of Ontario
- MS Access Database Developer, Street Outreach Services
- Web Design Internship, Canadian Cancer Prevention Centre
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Part-Time/Summer (Career Centre postings)
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- Programmer/Analyst, UofT Libraries
- Support Analyst, Decartes Systems Group
- Data Analyst, Air Canada
- Web Designer, Mount Sinai Hospital
- Technical Writer, TNS Smart Network
- Database Support Analyst, Toronto International Film Festival Group
- Associate Analyst, TD Canada Trust
- Network Support Analyst/Graphics Person, College Computer Professionals
- Computer Instructor/Facilitator, Taztech Education Centres
- Computer Programmer, Canada Law Book Inc.
- Website and Communication Assistant, Canadian Crossroads International
- Web/Database Developer, Citizen’s Environment Watch
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Summer Employment Program
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Summer Experience Program: A variety of summer positions in the Ontario Public Services, its related agencies and community groups. Examples of former placements include:
- Multimedia Technical Support Assistant, Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities
- Help Desk Analyst Trainee (I&IT), Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- Technical Assistant, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services
- Case Law Database Developer, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services
- Asset Database Coordinator, Ministry of Attorney General
- IT Communications Assistant, Ministry of Community and Social Services
- Database Assistant, Ministry of Culture
- Website Developer/Database/Website Assistant, Ministry of Culture
- Technical Web Assistant, Ministry of Community and Social Services
- Website Developer, Ministry Of Environment
- IT Business Support Assistant, Ministry of Community and Social Services
- Data Analyst, Community and Social Services
- Application Tester, Community and Social Services...and many more!
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Internships (Career Centre Postings)
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- Financial Software Developer Intern, Bloomberg
- Software & Hardware Development Intern, Microsoft
- Internship Opportunities, Google
- Web Internship, Greenpeace Canada
- IT Intern, The Score
- Web Designer/Programmer, Florence Art Lectures
- Programmer/Analyst- Music projects (IT Department), ADP Investor Communication
- Junior Software Engineer, Engineering Services Inc.
- Technical Research Intern, Venture Exchange Network
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| INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS |
Career Edge www.careeredge.ca
Career Edge offers six-, nine- or 12-month paid internships for university graduates in a variety of fields- past internships included: Database Analyst, Bell Canada; Help Desk Analyst, BMO Financial Group; Technical Implementation Intern, C3 Online Marketing Inc.; and many more!
Ontario Internship Program (with the Ontario Public Service, government)
www.internship.gov.on.ca
This is a two-year, full-time, paid professional work experience program in which you gain hands-on experience in different job assignments. Internships are available in a variety of areas:
- Application Services: Develop applications and solutions for business portfolios and provide specialized technical development services and resources
- Business Technology Solutions: Identify business problems and propose potential technology solutions to address
- Computer Operations: Plan and manage the operation of computer facilities to meet requirements for quality IT services; provide IT training to support planning and operational delivery of core businesses
- Information Management: Plan, evaluate and deploy information assets such as documents, data, electronic records etc. to support value-added work by establishing disciplined and consistent practices related to the end-to-end management of information throughout its lifecycle: planning, collection or creation, use and dissemination, maintenance, disposition and evaluation
- Enterprise Architecture: Manage the enterprise’s key business, information, application, security and technology strategies and their impact on business functions and processes, governed by best practices, methods, standards and principles
- Information Security: Administer the virus protection program, including developing standards, guidelines and best practices for security; educate and alert staff to potential security problems; provide guidance, including information on threat and risk analysis
- Infrastructure Management: Operate IT infrastructure; lead and manage the development of common standards and policies, including common application systems, networks protocols, database management systems and protocols
- Network Services: Plan, design, implement and manage integrated network facilities (including voice, data, facsimile, radio and office technologies)
- System Management: Includes the management of disaster recovery, applications management
International Youth Internship Program (work abroad),
Canadian International Development Agency
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/CIDAWEB/acdicida.nsf/En/JUD-121483217-HVQ
CIDA internships offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to gain valuable international development work experience- positions have included: Appropriate Technology Technician (Cuba); Communications Associate (Kenya); Educational Technology Intern (Jordan) and many more! |
| EXTERN JOB SHADOWING PROGRAM |
Extern is a job shadowing program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.
Samples of previous Extern placements include:
Software Developer; System Administrator; Computer Graphic Designer; Computer Trainer/Consultant; Computer Programmer; Systems Analyst; Management Consulting/Venture Capital and more. Click here for more information. |
| ALUMNI CAREER CONNECTIONS |
This program allows you the potential opportunity to speak with alumni in your field of interest. Click here to learn more.
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| INDUSTRY INFORMATION |
WetFeet Industry Profiles
An excellent overview of the specific areas within computer science: web design, web development, programming, system administration, consulting, and more. www.wetfeet.com/Content/Industries.aspx
IT World Canada
An industry website that covers the many sectors within IT, contains articles on trends in the industry, blogs, video links and links to job boards. www.itworldcanada.com |
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Joining professional associations are a great way of gaining industry information and demonstrating your enthusiasm and dedication to your field of interest.
Information and Communications Technology Council: www.shrc.ca/en
Information on career awareness and skills development, as well as labor market information.
Canadian Information Processing Society: www.cips.ca/students
The student resources on this site include an overview of job hunting tips, effective networking, description of their online mentoring program, as well as info. on student membership.
IEEE Computer Society: www.computer.org
Includes a section on “Career Centre Services.” This association’s student membership provides eligibility for scholarships and awards, free distance learning courses, and free access to 300 online books. |
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| CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY |
Resources in the Career Centre's Resource Library include:
- Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide
- Careers for Cybersurfers & Other Online Types
- 100 Jobs in Technology
- Focus on the IT Industry (video)
- Get Your IT Career in Gear
- Get in the Game: Career in the Game Industry
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- What You Can Do With a Science Degree
- Put Your Science to Work
- Career Guide for the High-Tech Professional
- Great Jobs for Computer Science Majors
- Career Information Binders - various career areas: Computer Science and Information Technology, Health Informatics, Consulting, and many more.
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| The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca |
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What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to learn more about our services and see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan, or call us at 905-828-5451 to book an individual appointment with a career counsellor or job coach.
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 Back to Careers By Major Search Page |
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