A computer engineer major can expect to become integral to any business he or she joins. Computers are central to business. Whether you join a technology company or a local small business, you will be working on systems that the company requires to keep going. Without your help, those systems will not continue to work as needed. Those with computer engineering as a major will quickly become important in keeping central computer systems working as expected. With some experience, you may even get to the point where you are designing the systems from the ground up. The levels you attain are completely up to you.

What do computer engineer major students learn in school? The type of information a student learns depends on the level of degree on which they are working. Those in an associate's degree program will learn the basics of how computers run and how to deal with networking and hardware issues. At the bachelor's level, most students lean towards hardware, networking, or software specialization. They learn the skills necessary to become professionals in these areas. At the master's degree level, the level of specialization is even higher. Many work in the theoretical levels that allow them to start designing systems from the ground up.

What sorts of classes do computer engineer major students take? Throughout the course of studies, students receive exposure to a wide range of subjects. Most start with learning how a computer works. Many will take classes in networking so they can handle LAN and WAN support. Some will take classes in databases to learn how to manage them as well as program for them. Those that want to program software will take classes in programming and database design. There are other classes such as hardware design, architecture, systems analysis, and even project management.

What kind of salary can you expect after graduating with a computer engineer major? Computer engineering major's salaries depend a lot on their location, specialization, experience, and education. Those with an associate's degree will make less than someone with a master's degree will make. Those in smaller rural areas will tend to make less than those in larger urban areas will average. Those that specialize in high demand areas with few experts will make more than in low demand areas will with too many experts. And experience plays a part. Many just out of school make 60-75% of the salary as someone with 5 years of experience.

Who would make a good candidate for becoming a computer engineer major? If you want to work with computers, this might be a good area for you. If you love to learn how things work and want to learn how to maintain computers, you are a good candidate. If you want to learn how software works and how you can make your own, this is a major to consider. The biggest desire must be to work in a demanding industry that requires you to keep ahead of technology. If that sounds good, computer engineering may be a good fit.