The semester is almost over, and in just a few months you?ll graduate with a shiny new degree in computer science, courtesy of Sac State and your own hard work. But once you have your diploma, what types of jobs can you get with it, and where?

There are many types of jobs available for computer science majors. For example, a software engineer does research, design, and develops computer software systems; systems analysts plan and coordinate the development of systems for processing data; computer security specialists design and test security measures for computer networks, and software programmers can find work in fields from government and education to insurance and health care. Other possibilities include Web design, computer repair, hardware engineering, and consulting jobs.

So where’s an aspiring software engineer or programmer to go for a job? The obvious answer might seem to be down Highway 50 in Folsom with Intel, but the recent dip in technology stocks has made many large firms more cautious about hiring new people; Intel currently has a hiring freeze in effect.

State and local government and other public agencies are also looking for people with computer skills.

For example, “Cal-Trans hires a lot of computer science majors,” said Steve Cantime, a graduate student working in the Career Center.

The Sacramento area also has a number of software publishers and developers. The Sacramento Business Journal’s 1998 Top 25 Book of Lists includes companies such as Oracle Corp., which develops management software, and CE Engineering Publishing Systems Inc., which develops desktop publishing and intranet software for the publishing industry.

Also in the Book of Lists are several large electronics firms with local branch offices, such as NEC Electronics, Apple Computer Inc., and Hewlett-Packard Co. Both Apple and Hewlett-Packard have been to the Sac State Career Center recently, looking for interns, says Cantime.

Large corporations not directly involved with the computer industry may also be looking. “Chevron is looking for computer science majors,” Cantime said.

Plus, with rental rates for office space in San Francisco rising, some start-up Internet companies have fled to or set up shop in Sacramento. There are also several local Internet Service Provider companies.

Those interested in more information about what’s available can visit Sac State’s Career Center, Room 2000 of Lassen Hall, on the second floor. Career descriptions and availability information is offered there, along with internship information, which is also available online at www.jobtrak.com, says Cantime.

The Computer Science Department also maintains a Web page with information on jobs, salaries, on-campus recruitment and other information.