What is the percentage of people who get a job off of a computer science major ?
I am wondering how often people with this major get a job and is able to find a job fast. #computer-science #science #computer
3 answers
Jared Chung
CareerVillage.org TeamJared’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi Donte, Great question. Pretty simple answer: Assuming you can complete your degree, and you have decent grades, you're in very good shape for a job. According to NACE, 70% of computer science majors nationally had at least one job offer before they graduated from college in 2013 [1]. I can't find any definitive research at the moment but I would guess that a significant proportion of the remaining 30% were able to get jobs within the following 3-6 months after graduating. Basically, this is one of the most in-demand large scale (non-specialty) career fields right now. The important thing is making sure that you are interested in CS for the right reasons, and to make sure that you complete your degree at the best CS program you can get accepted into!
However one thing you should watch out for is that this industry is evolving quickly, so what has happened in the recent past is not a guarantee of what will happen in the future. It's important to keep reading the news in this industry (the technology press e.g., Wired, TechCrunch, etc.) to recognize changes in desired skills before you hit the job market!
It's also SUPER important for Computer Science majors that you do not just do your coursework. The job market demands that you routinely do voluntary programming work outside of your coursework. You want to show up to interviews with great grades and a portfolio of recent CS-related work that you've done for fun or profit.
[1] Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/01/22/the-college-degrees-that-get-the-most-job-offers/
Dr. Dennis’s Answer
Richard’s Answer
I would also recommend trying to use internships and jobs in your major during school to gain experience. We have frequently had summer interns hired full-time upon graduation.
Richard recommends the following next steps: