Big Salary Now, No Job Later

Industry a mixed bag for in-demand computer science grads
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 10, 2007 12:17 PM CDT
Big Salary Now, No Job Later
Arizona State University student Fallon Rechnitz, 21, of Tampa, Fla., shows off her video resume in the Coor Building computer lab on the campus of Arizona State University on Friday, April 19, 2007 in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)   (Associated Press)

Computer science majors face rosy job prospects after graduation but a dimmer long-term career outlook. In 2007 the average starting salary offer in the field rose to a seven-year peak of $53,051, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports. But young grads should enjoy the money while they can: Layoffs and "restructuring" await mid-career employees.

A shrinking labor pool, the result of a declining numbers of computer science grads, causes companies to pay more for a smaller supply of qualified employees. As companies look to cut costs to pay these rising salaries, mid-career workers "become a tempting target for budget-cutters." Intel and Sun Microsystems have recently announced major IT staff cuts, and other companies may follow suit. (More job market stories.)

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