Information Sciencesat California State University-Long Beach

While Long Beach is in the heart of the Southern California tech ecosystem, you’re competing with graduates from world-class programs at UCLA, USC, and UC Irvine. The most lucrative entry-level roles at major tech firms are fiercely competitive, and their recruiters often focus on a handful of elite schools. CSULB graduates often find strong initial placements in different sectors: local government, the massive aerospace industry (think Northrop Grumman or Boeing), or smaller software companies throughout Orange County and the LA area. These are solid, stable career-starters, but they don't typically offer the sky-high starting salaries that pull up the national average. To stand out, your key advantage is proximity. Aggressively pursue internships throughout the LA metro area during your junior and senior years to build a professional network and prove your skills to local employers before you even graduate.