Job Research

Explosives Workers:

• Explosives workers place and detonate explosives to facilitate road or tunnel construction, open veins of ore in mines, or implode buildings for new construction projects. They study land formations or structures to determine the type and amount of explosive charge to use.
• Some explosives workers specialize in lowering explosives into boreholes to start the flow of oil in new or repaired oil wells. Others specialize in capping oil wells to extinguish oil well fires.They may instruct other workers to drill blast holes or drill the holes themselves. They establish the firing sequence, connect wires to firing devices, and set off charges. They keep inventories of the explosives that they purchase, transport, use, and store. They follow strict safety procedures.
• Students should take courses that meet high school graduation requirements and choose electives directly related to this occupation. Helpful high school courses would include Electricity and Electronics, Entrepreneurship, Materials and Processes, and Mathematics for Technology and Engineering.
• Most explosive workers graduate from a blasters program offered at technical colleges or private vocational schools. Employers train them on the job as they begin as helpers and with experience are given more responsibilities. The armed forces also offer training programs that enhance employment opportunities.
• The salary range for California is $32,560 to $58,240, National is $29,270 to $62,190. 

Software Engineers:

• Software engineers design and develop computer software systems. They apply the principles of computer science, engineering, and mathematics to find simpler ways to design more complex software programs.
• They identify the functions that the program is to perform and develop ideas for designing it. They decide the criteria that will be used to identify the most useful and practical solutions to programming problems. They must be able to estimate the time and the expense of developing a particular program or system. They must also have solutions to possible development problems that the new functions may create.
• Students should take courses that meet college entrance requirements. Helpful high school courses would include Calculus, Computer Programming, Computer Programming, Advanced, Technical Writing, and Trigonometry/Advanced Algebra.
• Employers require applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer software engineering. Software engineers are often high-level programmers with several years of work experience. Large organizations require entry level software engineers to have a master's degree.
• The salary range for California is $67,990 to $160,660, National range is $59,600 to $139,930.

Information Scientists:

• Information scientists help companies put business records into a computer system. Companies can then use this system to help them find and retrieve information easily. Therefore, information scientists must have computer and library skills.
• Information scientists help people decide what information should be kept in their computer systems and choose the right computer software to store this information. They must understand different software packages and keep up-to-date on changes and improvements in computer software. Information scientists show businesses how information in a computer can be used in new and different ways. They may also work as researchers who find information for a company or group.
• Students should take courses that meet college entrance requirements. Helpful high school courses would include Calculus, Computer Programming, Computer Programming, Advanced, Statistics and Probability, and Technical Writing.
• Employers usually require information scientists to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and several years of directly related work experience. Individuals with a master's degree may be hired directly into positions as information scientists. A doctoral degree is required for research and faculty positions. 
• The salary range for California is $77,290 to $166,400+, National range is $61,480 to $155,420.