1 answer
Derrick
Student
Elmhurst, NY
1
Question
Updated
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How do i get a career in CS?
I want to learn about the best way to land a tech job in this job market!
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1 answer
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
68
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
This is a really good question, especially with how competitive tech feels right now. The biggest thing to know is that there isn’t one “perfect” path into computer science careers. What matters most is building real skills, proof of work, and experience, not just chasing job titles or degrees.
Start with a solid foundation. If you’re in school or planning to be, majors like computer science, software engineering, or information systems are helpful, but they’re not the only way in. Outside of classes, focus on actually learning how to code and understand systems. Pick one main language to start with, like Python or JavaScript, and really learn it instead of jumping between ten things. Use online platforms, build small projects, and try to understand how things work, not just how to pass tests. Projects matter a lot right now because they show you can actually do the work.
Once you have some skills, experience becomes the goal. Internships, part-time tech roles, research projects, open-source contributions, or even freelance work all count. If internships are hard to get, build your own projects and treat them seriously. Write clean code, document your work, and be able to explain it. Networking also matters more than people like to admit. That can mean talking to professors, joining tech clubs, attending meetups, or connecting with people on LinkedIn and asking about their paths. In this market, the students and early-career folks who do best are the ones who stay consistent, keep learning, and don’t get discouraged when things move slowly. It takes time, but it is very doable.
Start with a solid foundation. If you’re in school or planning to be, majors like computer science, software engineering, or information systems are helpful, but they’re not the only way in. Outside of classes, focus on actually learning how to code and understand systems. Pick one main language to start with, like Python or JavaScript, and really learn it instead of jumping between ten things. Use online platforms, build small projects, and try to understand how things work, not just how to pass tests. Projects matter a lot right now because they show you can actually do the work.
Once you have some skills, experience becomes the goal. Internships, part-time tech roles, research projects, open-source contributions, or even freelance work all count. If internships are hard to get, build your own projects and treat them seriously. Write clean code, document your work, and be able to explain it. Networking also matters more than people like to admit. That can mean talking to professors, joining tech clubs, attending meetups, or connecting with people on LinkedIn and asking about their paths. In this market, the students and early-career folks who do best are the ones who stay consistent, keep learning, and don’t get discouraged when things move slowly. It takes time, but it is very doable.