The Student's Guide: Opportunities After Graduating from San Francisco Bay University

We would like to think San Francisco Bay University graduates have a ton of opportunities available to them upon graduation. Not only are we in a prime location, surrounded by tech companies of all varieties, but we have the resources, services, and networking opportunities only a place like a university in the San Francisco Bay Area can deliver. Even more, we put a laserlike focus on programs that we think will provide SFBU graduates the chance to land the job of their dreams. Computer science is an example. According to government statistics, the employment of computer and information research scientists is expected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030. And that’s why we offer a top-notch Bay Area computer science program.

But it does not stop there. We also offer a degree program with a focus on electrical engineering. While the job outlook for electrical engineers is not as explosive as it is for computer science majors, the demand for electrical engineers is not projected to drop anytime soon. From 2020 to 2030, the overall employment outlook for electronics engineers is projected to grow by 7%. And with the number of engineering graduates growing at a rate of 1.44% between 2018 and 2019, there simply will not be enough graduates to fill the need. Jobs will be plentiful and SFBU electrical engineering graduates will benefit.

Prospective SFBU students can also study business administration and go for their MBA. While some have said the market for MBA graduates is saturated, consider that the percentage of companies hiring MBAs has not dropped. In fact, it has stayed relatively steady since 2017. Let’s look at the data:

• 2017: 70%
• 2018: 67%
• 2019: 76%
• 2020: 80%

As you can see, the market for MBA graduates has remained relatively steady over the last half-decade. The need for well-rounded graduates in the national and international business world has not dropped. We’re proud to know the future is bright not just for Bay Area computer science program graduates, but for MBA graduates as well. Now, let’s look at each category.

Bay Area Computer Science Programs Are in Hot Demand

There is a reason why Bay Area computer science programs are in such high demand. Just consider for a moment that California’s tech industry employed more than one million professionals in 2021. That represents 10% of California’s entire workforce. Not only that, but California consistently offers some of the highest wages and benefits for tech positions out of any state, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer science graduates also have a wealth of career opportunities to choose from, including, but not limited to:

• Software Developers
• Software Engineers
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Information Systems Managers
• Cybersecurity Analysts
• Game Designers
• UX Designers
• Web Designers
• Web Developers
• Machine Learning Engineers
• Forensic Computer Analysts
• … and many more!

Quite frankly, the list goes on. As the future becomes more technologically advanced, fields like nanotechnology, quantum computing, and engineering will become even more important. As 5G cellular technology matures and evolves into whatever comes next, network engineers and telecommunications researchers will be in higher demand.

And don’t worry about graduating without work experience. There are opportunities for Bay Area computer science program graduates. Whether it be in the form of IT-related work placements, internships, or shadowing opportunities, typically once you show your mettle, the company you’re working with will bring you on full-time.

It may also be useful to develop a personal portfolio of computer science-related projects, whether they involve programming, website development, or even online moderation. If you can show initiative by fixing bugs, improving functionality, or even building a useful application, companies will find you highly desirable.

How to Make a Degree in Electrical Engineering Work for You

As we mentioned before, the need for electrical engineers in the workplace is not diminishing. Obtaining a degree in electrical engineering is not a bad idea for those interested. Consider that according to the latest LinkedIn recruiting data, there are over 71,000 graduate electrical engineering jobs currently open in the United States. Companies simply cannot fill these positions fast enough. Graduates with electrical engineering degrees can choose from careers in a wide range of engineering industries. And that’s the beauty of obtaining an electrical engineering degree from SFBU. You could use it for just about any discipline. Here are some examples of jobs you could potentially go for with a degree in electrical engineering:

• Aerospace Engineers
• CAD Technicians
• Broadcast Engineers
• Nuclear Engineers
• Special Effects Technicians
• Machine Learning Engineers
• Technical Sales Engineers
• Land-Based Engineers
• … and many more!

The beauty of engineering degrees is that you typically can gain hands-on experience and practical understanding of specialized industries with an electrical engineering degree alone. Companies will generally hire you knowing you have the skillset on a broader level, then train you to be a specialist wherever they need you.

When you join companies in this fashion, you will generally work alongside other engineers from other disciplines, but your role will be to provide electrical engineering expertise. However, depending on your skill level and the company you sign on with, you may develop into a more “generalist” engineer. You may wind up picking up knowledge from other areas and studying multiple disciplines, which only increases your value to the company.

Opportunities That Lie in Obtaining your MBA

Economic changes have led to an increase in the quality and quantity of job opportunities for MBA graduates. Because of historically low unemployment rates, MBA graduates have a high level of negotiation power when looking for the perfect job. The fact is everyone today is more valuable than they were even a few years ago. Companies are paying higher salaries and looking for more graduates. The median starting salary for MBA hires is around $115,000 per year, which certainly is nothing to shake a stick at.

Like Bay Area computer science programs and electrical engineering graduates, MBA graduates have a wide array of jobs to choose from upon graduation. Some examples include:

• Business Consultants
• Accounting Consultants
• Investment Bankers
• Logistics Managers
• Healthcare Managers
• Marketing Managers
• Business Operation Specialists
• Sales Managers
• Financial Managers
• … and many more!

What is great about an MBA is that you can replace the word “manager” in the aforementioned examples with the word “director” or even “vice president” depending on your experience and skill level. The number of employment opportunities for MBA graduates and the need for managers and directors only increases by the year.

MBA professors here at SFBU urge our business school graduates to use their marketable skills to look for job opportunities in the area of business analytics, change management, supply chain management (in hot demand during today’s supply chain crisis), and project management. These are the types of MBA-related positions in high demand in our local area.

Graduates should consider what their initial dream job would be and then adapt their job search to fit their desires. An MBA is such a versatile degree that graduates really have more choice than graduates from just about any other discipline. And it is also a reason why so many prospective students choose to obtain an MBA over other degree options.

At SFBU, we proudly offer scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance for students from the United States and abroad in whatever area of study they are interested in. We have chosen these fields of study because of our specialized location and the unique need for graduates in these disciplines. Want to learn more about the potential opportunities available to you as a student at San Francisco Bay University? Simply get in touch with our admissions office and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.