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Undergrad Programs: Computer Science Informatics

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Careers in Informatics

More and more employers are looking for college graduates with information technology (IT) skills. And they're not just looking for programmers or network-support people anymore. They're looking to fill traditional jobs with people who understand the possibilities new technologies promise.

Ask any recent college graduate: IT skills make you marketable. But while there is an incredible demand for this knowledge, employers also want people with good communication and problem solving abilities, the type of skills you'll get with a background in the arts and sciences. A major in Informatics gives you both. The UI's degree program will hone valuable skills that can be transported to a number of job settings:

A technical understanding of how computing systems operate
Ability to adapt/assess and apply new trends in IT
Well-developed problem-solving skills
Ability to work in teams, such as those formed for the senior capstone project
Well-developed communications skills to clearly convey solutions and observations to others.
An understanding of social and ethical principles as they relate to IT issues

Jobs Outlook
An easy job hunt is predicted for Informatics graduates. A study by the ITAA estimates more than 300,000 vacancies in core IT positions, and 600,000 vacancies in IT-related positions, and more than 3.2 million vacancies to be filled in the next 5 years. It is difficult to see that there will not be even greater demand for IT professionals in the future.

Partial List of Job Possibilities

User experience analyst
Bioinformaticist
Data mapper
Webmaster
IT consultant
Multimedia specialist
Chemical informaticist
Database designer
Digital artist
Human-computer interface designer
Network manager
Software developer
Health informaticist
Information architect
Technical writer
Systems administrator
Usability analyst
Interaction designer
Systems integrator

Salary Range and Benefits for Informatics Graduates
A computer support person who is largely self-taught and may not have a college education would probably be in the $10-$20/hour range, depending on expertise and seniority.

An Informatics graduate might start at around $40,000 to $50,000 per year. Besides relatively high salaries, benefits are also usually very good because of the need to lure people to take IT jobs.

Adapted from the website of Indiana University School of Informatics

Last revised 1/25/2006

Last modified: October 26, 2007


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