The job of a Software Engineer involves developing and designing software with the end-user in mind. Software engineers must also work closely with computer programmers and technical writers, both of whom translate software first into a logical computer language and lastly the English language that the consumer-layperson can understand.

Curriculum may include programming language, software design, logic principles and data structures, and software testing.

Scholarships

The College of Engineering at San Jose State University has a comprehensive computer and engineering program. There are many scholarships offered by the institution as well as those funded by corporate and private sponsors:

• HP Scholarship is awarded to incoming freshman in the software engineering program. Fund awards vary.
• Intel Scholarship is available to computer and software engineering students.
• Alumni Association Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to the most academically outstanding students in their class.

One of the most coveted programs for software engineering students is the Apple Internship in software engineering, sponsored by University of California-Irvine. Students receive a salary and stipend for the duration.

The University of Montana Scholarship in Computer Software Engineering is awarded to an incoming freshman based on academic merit. Recipient may be awarded $500 per academic year, renewable contingent with academic performance.

Software Engineering Education and Training Conference Scholarships are awarded by the NSF to student-members who are interested in attending the annual conference. Applicants must submit a written letter articulating their career goals related to software engineering and attach a letter of recommendation from faculty.

The Multicultural Engineering Program Scholarships through UCSC, are designed to encourage women and minority students to pursue engineering degrees including software engineering:

• MEP Scholarship is a merit-based award for minorities or women in an engineering discipline. Awards are up to $2500.
• Amy Beth Snader Memorial Scholarship is designed to honor the memory of an engineering student and is awarded to women in engineering, including those enrolled in software engineering. Faculty present nominations for the award and criteria are based on merit and financial need. Up to $1,000 available.
• Silicon Valley Engineering Council Award goes to outstanding students in the engineering department. Academics and extracurricular activities both count toward the scholarship.

Virgil and Georgan Ellerbruch Scholarship is open to students enrolled in the software-engineering program at South Dakota State University. Up to $800 possible.

Network Managers and technicians are responsible for the overall function of a computer network. Types of networks may include LAN, WAN, MAN, even wireless. Network managers may also be responsible for all the components of a network: routers, switches, cabling and conduit. Network specialists may be trained to configure switches and routers, install cabling and configure new networks. They also possess training in network design, network resources and basic security practices.

In the work place a network manager may work alone and "wear many hats" or be part of a network team and specialize in one aspect of a very large network.

Scholarships

Federal Cyber Service Scholarship sponsored by Syracuse University includes those graduate students studying Telecommunications and Network Management. The total award may be $18,000+ for graduate students. The hitch is you owe the federal government a year of your services for each year of scholarship you accept. You do, however, get to work within your field.

Kirkwood Community College Foundation awards students the following scholarships:

• Bradley and Riley PC Information Technology Scholarship is open to students enrolled in a LAN Management program. Applicant must be interested in remaining in the region.
• NSF Technology Scholars Program offers over $3,000 to qualified IT students. Applicants must be pursuing network management or a related degree program. This is a merit and need-based award.
• Rockwell Collins Career Edge Academy Scholarships are awarded to 20 students with an emphasis on underrepresented populations. Awards are $1,000.

Cisco Network Academy Scholarship is offered through DeVry University and gives qualified students $1200 a semester. A prerequisite is the basic Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, which offers basic skills in network management.

ASM Educational Center sponsors the very popular Microsoft certification courses, including the MCSE course that covers the basics of network management and systems management. The scholarship offers up to $2,000 to offset the cost of the course.

Students enrolled in Northwest College Business Network Technician program may qualify for one of the following scholarships:

• Montana-Dakota Utilities Company Scholarship is awarded to a student who lives within the service area and is enrolled in a computer science program, including coursework in network and systems management.
• Dozens of private scholarships are available to Northwest College Students. Smallest awards start with $100 and go up.

Information security and assurance is the study of data security, network security, vulnerabilities and protective procedures that encompass all forms of digital information today. Information security specialists have never been in such high demand.

The term "information assurance" has become synonymous with a suite of Information Technology programs funded primarily by the National Security Agency, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.

Information Assurance - Uncle Sam Wants You!

The National Security Agency in conjunction with the Department of Defense is now funding an immense scholarship program. The Information Assurance Scholarship program (IASP) is sponsored by over 50 colleges and universities, or designated Centers of Academic Excellence, that offer an excellent computer science and engineering department. The purpose of the IASP is to fill in the gaps of the nation’s network security personnel. By offering aspiring computer science and IT students full-tuition reimbursements, the federal government leverages their future careers.

If you’re looking for a top-notch and exciting career in cyber-security, including such emerging specialties as computer forensics and cryptography, then you should apply for the IASP. However, these are coveted and extremely competitive awards. If you win a scholarship you may earn up to $10,000 for your undergraduate tuition or $15,000 for graduate. In exchange for every year you take the scholarship, you work for the federal government in the field of cyber-security after graduation.

Qualified applicants must be at the top of their class and interested in pursuing computer and information security at the national level. There are a number of options available in the IASP and degree programs:

• Master of Science in Security Informatics program at Johns Hopkins is funded by a grant from the DoD. Graduate students interested in working for the federal government in computer security positions may qualify for full tuition scholarships thanks to the federal government if they are willing to repay scholarship for work. The MSSI program offers top of the line training in the latest data security, counter-hacking, computer forensics, cryptography, Public Policy and more.
• The CyberCorps program at Iowa State University funded by the National Science Foundation Scholarship is another permutation of the DoD Information Assurance program. Twenty students half undergraduate and the other half graduate receive these coveted scholarships. Recipients choose their major from math, political science, computer science and others and then are required to take the core IA courses.
• Northeastern University Masters in Information Assurance synthesizes aspects of IT, security, data recovery and law to train students in the emerging field. Students may wish to apply for the DoD’s Information Assurance Scholarship which covers tuition.

Students unwilling to accept the terms of the DoD’s IASP may also pursue these very good IA programs, but will seek scholarships elsewhere through the institutions. Academic scholarships, graduate assistantships and research fellowships all offer alternative avenues for funding without the career obligation.

General Information Assurance Scholarships

If you’re planning a career using a Computer Science degree, you’ll want to read more into these available scholarship opportunities.

Microsoft Scholarships

Since Microsoft is the leading manufacturer of computer products and software, it should come as no surprise that the company is devoted to helping computer science students fund their college educations. Each year, Microsoft awards over half a million dollars in scholarships to deserving college students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who wish to pursue careers in computer science or related technical fields.

There are general scholarships, as well as scholarships for women, minorities, and students with disabilities. The Microsoft scholarships cover up to 100% of the student’s academic year tuition as posted by the financial aid office of the university or college. Since the scholarships are for students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program, students attending community colleges or pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible.

Recipients of Microsoft’s computer science scholarships must complete salaried summer internships of 12 weeks or more at the Microsoft office in Redmond, Washington. Internships are awarded based on the scholarship recipient’s skills and career goals.

To apply for a Microsoft computer science scholarship, you must submit a letter of referral, resume, essay describing your interest in technology, and a copy of your college transcript. Additional information about scholarship application procedures can be found on the Microsoft website.

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to full-time sophomores or juniors pursuing careers in computer science, mathematics, or engineering. All applicants must have a grade point average of at least a "B" and be in the upper fourth of their class.

Up to 300 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded each year, with recipients from across the United States. The amount of the scholarship is based on the student’s tuition, fees, books, room, board, and other eligible expenses as certified by a campus financial aid officer.

Scholarships awarded to sophomores are valid for the student’s junior and senior year. Scholarships awarded to juniors are only valid for the student’s senior year. All scholarship recipients must refrain from taking full or part-time employment that would interfere with their academic studies. In addition, it is expected that scholarship recipients plan to pursue advanced degrees in their field of study.

If you wish to apply for a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, you must be nominated by your college or university. Check out the program website to determine the name of your campus representative.

Check with Your College and Computer Science Department

Most colleges and universities offer awards to help offset the cost of your tuition and living expenses. For example:

• The University of Iowa offers computer science scholarships of between $1,000 and $3,000 to recognize the department’s most promising students.
• University of Michigan students planning careers in computer science can receive scholarships of between $1,000 and $5,000.
• At Texas Tech University, computer science students can compete for scholarships of between $100 and $1,000.

Contact your departmental academic advisor or a financial aid representative to learn more about scholarships offered by your school.

Computer programmers are the people who write the programs that make it possible for humans to communicate with computers. Programmers typically work in environments that require them to work closely with software developers in order to translate new programs into a computer language. Programmers may also be required to debug existing programs.

Computer programming students who possess at least a Bachelor’s degree find higher quality jobs and earn more money. But there are online programs and many community colleges that offer Associates degrees.

Scholarships

Northeastern University offers a Certificate in Computer Programming. Scholarships are available based on merit and need. The School of Professional and Continuing Studies Scholarship is open to students in the Computer Programming major.

Student members of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) may compete for high-dollar prizes in the Annual Intercollegiate Programming World Championship and the Student Research Competition. The most precocious and talented computer "geeks" from around the world compete in undergraduate and graduate level competitions.

ACM student chapters, in conjunction with Upsilon Pi Epsilon, fund scholarships for their top student members. Applicants may be undergraduate or graduate students and are awarded up to $1,000.

The National Science Foundation funds the Tri-Mec Scholarships in conjunction with a consortium of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Colleges. Students on the participating campuses majoring in Computer Programming may apply for consideration. Recipients are awarded up to $1100 each semester they are enrolled. Qualified applicants must show financial need for the scholarships.

The Metropolitan Community College Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska awards the Karen Schnepf Memorial Computer Programming Scholarship to students in the major. Preference will be given to a student actively employed part-time in the field of programming or who is invested in finding employment in the field.

Computer Programming Teaching Fellowships are available through the University of Memphis. Eligible graduate students may receive up to $30,000. Preference is given to minority students as well as women.

Seminole Community College partners with the National Science Foundation to award the Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarships to students majoring in Computer Programming and related programs. Recipients must maintain a high GPA and be willing to offer tutoring services.

College of DuPage Uniforum Chicago Scholarships is awarded to students specializing in UNIX system development. Award amounts are $600.

Computer Programming students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have the opportunity to win scholarships in a day of high-energy computer programming competitions.

Many programs that offer computer programming are found within a computer science department at four-year colleges or community and technical colleges.