The technology sector is growing and filled with lucrative opportunities, but how does one capitalise on this boom? An advanced degree from the College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE) at Kennesaw State University (KSU) can prepare you for these high-paying and high-demand career opportunities. Just ask Rehma Yash Razzak from Pakistan.
She chose the CCSE, hoping to turn her passion for computers and software into a career. She also hoped to identify a path to excel in for decades to come. The interdisciplinary nature of the Doctoral Degree in Analytics and Data Science allowed her to realise both goals. She could enhance her career options and exercise her curiosity –– not just in laboratories or classrooms, but in the real world as well.
By participating in KSU’s Owl Job Shadow Program, Razzak gained experiential knowledge that will serve her well in the future. She worked at a mobile app company that taught her to debug, deploy, and develop various applications. She also worked as a QA tester for a mobile game company called PlaytestCloud, which screened new games about to be released to the market.
“Thanks to KSU, I have had a lot of hands-on experience due to the number of hack-a-thons and game-jams I took part in,” she explains. “Being exposed to these taught me how to work in a team, manage a team, work under a tight deadline, and be a mentor that others can rely on.”
In the process of developing these crucial skills, Razzak realized her love for research –– asking questions never asked before and finding the answers. She does just that today as a Graduate Research Assistant. The position helped her realize her passion for the healthcare applications of machine learning. She hopes to soon hone her technical expertise in research labs studying Alzheimer’s or autism. With the hard and soft skills she’s developed through a CCSE PhD, there’s no stopping her.
For those looking to follow in Razzak’s footsteps, there’s no pathway more ideal than one of the CCSE’s four Master of Science degrees –– each of which unlocks rewarding career opportunities on their own.
The top-ranked Master of Science in Information Technology offers concentrations in data analytics, IT security, HIT, and enterprise IT management. It also provides four foundation courses to students without an undergraduate degree in IT or computing. Students can apply knowledge by completing an internship online or a capstone project with a Fortune 500 company, small business, or start-up. With this qualification, students will be able to evolve into professionals that bank a national median annual salary of US$91,250, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With a Master of Science in Software Engineering, students learn to solve problems in developing mission-critical software to meet the needs of various businesses. It’s no small task, which is why BLS data show these professionals can take home a median annual salary of US$110,140.
Meanwhile, the Master of Science in Computer Science covers the theory of computation and advanced algorithms. It blends the use of advanced coursework in various topics and practical knowledge with state-of-the-art computing technologies. Of course, concentrations are also available to help graduates infiltrate the specific industries of artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and human-computer interaction. Students prepare for these roles with internship opportunities at Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start-ups.
What these three programs have in common is that they are incredibly flexible. They are facilitated on-site, online, or a hybrid of the two. They are also highly customizable.
Honglai Peng, an MS in Computer Science student from China, credits CCSE’s interdisciplinary approach for allowing him to boast machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning competencies on his CV.
As a postgraduate student, he has been able to apply his knowledge as a Graduate Research Assistant. The position has helped him rack up even more experiences to impress employers.
“I have built an end-to-end AI frame named MFCNN, which can predict all facial features with high accuracy once it looks at faces,” he explains. “Besides that, we’ve innovated a coronavirus tracking website, chatbots to train diplomats, and more.”
Similar opportunities are offered with the on-site Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Analytics (MSAS). The program was designed for professionals and students –– with a background in the sciences, engineering, or business –– looking to utilize cutting-edge applied statistical methods. Using a wide range of commercial software, they spark accurate, meaningful inferences from data obtained from business, industry, government, and health services.
“The number of projects you can involve yourself in at the School of Data Science and Analytics and the variety of industry sponsors it attracts has shown me that data science is everywhere,” enthuses student Alyssa Venn.
“I’ve enjoyed the freedom that comes with finding answers to challenging questions, and it has caused me to reflect on my career path and to think critically about how I can apply my skills.”
If you have a passion or background in technology, nothing will place your résumé at the top of the pile like one of these advanced qualifications from KSU CCSE. To fast-track the career of your dreams, learn more about the rewarding degree programs today!
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