Jobs and Internships

Fastest Growing Occupation: Network Systems and Data Communications

Posted June 24, 2009 - 11:46am

According to the most recent data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts is projected to be the fastest growing occupation over the next decade. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow by more than 53% until 2016. Moreover income in this occupation will continue to be in the highest quartile.

CPT/Co-op/OPT

Curricular practical training (CPT) is for student whose training program is "an integral part of an established curriculum".  TCOM students can participate in this CPT training program.  During this time, students can work full time during summer semester as CPT, but during fall and spring semesters, student must take class(es) and work as part time. Contact the OIPS office for more details.

Internships

Many employers expect graduate students with career related experience nowadays.  Internships are important to students who don't have any work related experience.  The Career Services provides information or/and resources.  Please see their website for details.
 

GTA

The academic departments offer a small number of teaching assistantships (TA’s).  Fulltime master degree students are only eligible for TA position.  The TCOM program has only full time TAs which students are required to work 20 hours per week during a semester.  Students are encouraged to apply for assistantships within other ECE departments as well.  TCOM office usually announces the opening position with instruction via e-mail with time limited basis.  However, TCOM does not accept any applications from first semester students, except PhD students.  In

Work Opportunities

As a graduate program, TCOM program offers some TA positions each semester.  However, these positions are extremely competitive.  First semester students will not get these positions.   If students are unable to find a TA or RA positions, there are many employment opportunities on campus at hourly rates that can be applied for.  However, students should apply for these positions before the semester starts.  And you may need to seek guidance from OIPS and the Career

Alumni Network

The TCOM program recognizes the importance of networks not only technically but also personally, thus the TCOM program has an alumni network listed on LinkedIn.  There, TCOM alumni can share information and connect with each other.  This group is exclusively for TCOM alumni.   TCOM graduates will receive the invitation to join this group after their graduation.  This network can develop careers and maintain connection to the TCOM program and George Mason University after graduation. 
 

Job search

Since TCOM students are technically proficient in their use of the internet, they historically have found lots of internet-based career network like monster.com, career-network.com, careerbuilder.com, or indeed.com.  The TCOM program also has a good working relationship with the Career Services—students are encouraged to take any workshops, events, counseling, and trainings in the Career Services.  These are free for current students and alumni six months after graduation from the program.  Alumni after six months are charged nominal fees.