There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills built through majoring in Computer Engineering include:

• Start professional careers related to computer engineering in public, private, nonprofit, and/or academic organizations, or enroll in graduate degree programs in related fields.
• Pursue lifelong learning and professional development.
• Actively contribute to their profession and to society at a local or global level to improve the lives of others.

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Students graduating from Computer Engineering find themselves in a wide variety of industries related to chip design, software development, cybersecurity, system engineering, etc.

• This is a very high-demand field with starting salaries of more than $100,000.

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

This program prepares students for entry into any M.S.-level Computer Engineering program.

Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Take the math placement examination and enroll in the correct math class. (This step is vital in preparing the foundation for this degree).
• Review the academic plan and meet with your advisor. Taking the correct classes in the correct order is important.
• Complete the CPE 1040 – Introduction to Computer Engineering course.

• Join The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This is inexpensive and you will receive a magazine that will help you understand this field.
• Meet with a faculty member during their office hours and discuss the different aspects of computer engineering.
• Attend the career fair at MSU Denver to learn about companies that hire computer engineers.

• Begin to explore possible career pathways.
• Follow the course plan for Computer Engineering (CPE) carefully since the order in which you take the courses is vital.
• Attend the New Student Orientation to meet the advisors and learn more about the program.

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Meet with a department advisor to discuss your degree progress.
• Consider a specialization for your elective courses and discuss those courses with your advisor.
• You should have completed your math requirements at this point and be using those skills in your CPE courses. If not, then complete those courses as soon as possible.

• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA since many companies and graduate schools require that minimum to be considered.
• Prepare your resume and ask the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) to review that document and help you improve it.
• Attend the career fair at MSU Denver and apply for internships with the companies at that fair.

• Apply for internships since this is often the key to obtaining a good long-term job.
• Seek out academic mentors within your departments.
• Consider graduate school or other postgraduate training.

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• Meet with a department advisor to discuss progress to completion.
• Consider a specialization for your elective courses and discuss those courses with your advisor.

• Maintain your IEEE membership to stay connected with the rapid changes that occur in computer engineering.
• Consider attending a local conference, and/or the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA since many companies and graduate schools require that minimum to be considered.

• Finalize and complete your elective courses.
• If applying for graduate school, contact the faculty for recommendation letters.
• Update your resume and have it reviewed for suggested improvement.