What can you do with a Computer Engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Engineering graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Computer Engineering graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have a higher likelihood (+9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 76%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 9% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Computer Engineering graduate from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and our analysis:


Relevance score: 59%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Enterprise Sales Engineer
Western Digital
Dec 2017 - Nov 2019
The role of Enterprise Sales Engineer at Western Digital does not require specific knowledge or skills related to computer engineering, as it primarily focuses on sales rather than technical engineering tasks.

Sr. Enterprise Sales Engineer
Tintri
Nov 2019 - Jul 2020
As a Sr. Enterprise Sales Engineer at Tintri, the job centers around sales engineering, which is not directly tied to the skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering.

Senior Storage Sales Engineer.
IBM
Jul 2020 - Feb 2022
The Senior Storage Sales Engineer position at IBM involves technical sales and solutions engineering which directly utilizes knowledge of storage systems and computer engineering principles learned during the Bachelor's program.

Enterprise Brand Technical Specialist (Senior Enterprise Sales engineer)
IBM
Jan 2022 - Dec 2023
The role of Enterprise Brand Technical Specialist (Senior Enterprise Sales Engineer) at IBM requires an in-depth understanding of technical products and solutions related to engineering, making it highly relevant to the degree in Computer Engineering.

Storage Sales Specialist (Account Executive)
IBM
Dec 2023 - Apr 2024
As a Storage Sales Specialist (Account Executive) at IBM, this role combines sales expertise with technical knowledge of storage systems, which aligns closely with the background from a Computer Engineering degree.

Senior System Engineer
VAST Data
Apr 2024 - Present
The Senior System Engineer position at VAST Data involves systems engineering which, while somewhat related to computer engineering, may not utilize the core knowledge from the Bachelor's degree on a daily basis but does benefit from some relevant technical skills.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business
2020 - 2023

Master of Business Administration - MBA
USC Marshall School of Business
2020 - 2023
ABOUT

As a Storage Sales Specialist (Account Executive) at IBM since Dec 2023, I leverage my MBA acumen and technical expertise to deliver innovative and customized storage solutions to enterprise clients across various industries. I have over three years of experience in technical sales, solution architecture, and client relationship management, working with IBM's leading Storage products, services, data center virtualization, data protection, and hybrid multi-cloud.I am passionate about business innovation and problem-solving, and I enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams and partners to design and implement solutions that address the complex and evolving needs of businesses. I have a proven track record of driving sales growth, customer satisfaction, and technical excellence, as evidenced by multiple certifications, awards, and recognitions from IBM.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at all the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona who studied Computer Engineering, there seems to be a mix of jobs that range from highly relevant technology roles to positions that are only tangentially related or even completely unrelated to their degree. Many of the most notable positions include roles in software engineering, product testing, and technical training, where individuals are directly applying their technical skills and engineering principles in real-world scenarios. For instance, software development positions at companies like Amazon Web Services and roles related to quality assurance at NZXT highlight how graduates are using their core competencies daily.

However, not every job listed matches up with the teachings of a Computer Engineering program. Some alumni have taken paths in sales engineering or customer support, where the focus shifts away from traditional engineering tasks to more business or client-facing responsibilities. While these roles may utilize some soft skills developed during their degree, they don't necessarily require the technical knowledge one would expect. Overall, the trend suggests that many graduates successfully find positions that align closely with their educational background, but there are also those who end up in fields less connected to their significant engineering training.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Engineering graduates (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State Polytechnic University-Pomona):

What kind of career trajectories do Computer Engineering graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

So, if you check out what graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona are doing after getting their degrees in Computer Engineering, you'll see a pretty solid progression in their careers. A lot of folks land their first jobs in technical or training roles, like Jr Training Instructor or customer support positions, often at companies like Liferay or NZXT. These entry-level positions usually pave the way for more specialized roles, which many graduates transition into just a few years later, often climbing the ladder within the same company or moving to similar roles in other tech firms. For instance, some have managed to become managers or specialists in their fields within just a few years. That’s a good sign that their skills are in demand and they’re sticking to paths relevant to their degrees.

Looking five to ten years down the line, it doesn't seem like many graduates are veering off into unrelated fields. Instead, they’re making names for themselves in technical roles, with some even securing senior positions at major companies like AWS and Texas Instruments. Others are moving into more specialized areas, like systems engineering or software development. Sure, there are a couple of outliers who have taken on jobs that sound a bit far removed from traditional computer engineering, but the overall trend is quite promising. It looks like a lot of these graduates are not just finding jobs; they’re finding stable, rewarding careers in the tech industry, which is honestly what you want after putting in those years studying hard.

How hard is a Computer Engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona can be pretty challenging, but it’s definitely doable if you're into tech and willing to put in the effort. The program is designed to give you a solid foundation in both hardware and software, so you'll be diving into subjects like circuits, programming, and systems design. Many students find the workload to be heavier than average, especially with projects and labs that require good problem-solving skills and a bit of time management. If you're ready to grind and find joy in the puzzles that come with coding and building, you’ll likely find it rewarding, but just know it might feel a bit tough at times!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering.

Do Computer Engineering graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona tend to make good money?

Looking at these Computer Engineering graduates from Cal Poly Pomona, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well financially, especially those who jumped into roles at big tech companies like AWS, IBM, and AT&T. The first guy moved up from being a Jr Training Instructor to a managerial position, which usually comes with a decent paycheck. Another grad started off with an internship at AWS and then got a full-time software development role, so he's likely raking in good cash too. While not everyone's found a tech-heavy position—like the ones working as agricultural technicians or in support roles—they all seem to be on a pretty solid path. Overall, it looks like most of them are making decent money, especially considering how much demand there is for engineering skills right now!

What buzzwords do Computer Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State Polytechnic University-Pomona). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Computer Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Florida 95 18
Michigan State University 94 10
Brigham Young University 94 10
Penn State University 92 14
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 91 14
University of Central Florida 90 14
Georgia Institute of Technology 90 14
Purdue University 86 34
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 86 30
Iowa State University 86 25
Texas A&M University 85 17
San Jose State University 85 16
Clemson University 85 14
Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering 85 10
North Dakota State University 84 12
Savitribai Phule Pune University 83 25
University of Mumbai 82 43
New Jersey Institute of Technology 81 11
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 79 11
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 76 11
The University of Texas at Dallas 76 18
University of South Florida 69 10
Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedbabd 55 13