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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
70
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
That's a great question, especially since tech feels so competitive right now. The key thing to remember is that there's no single "perfect" way into computer science careers. What's most important is developing real skills, showing your work, and gaining experience, rather than just focusing on job titles or degrees.
Start by building a strong foundation. If you're in school or planning to be, majors like computer science, software engineering, or information systems are useful, but they're not the only routes. Beyond classes, focus on learning to code and understanding systems. Choose one main language, like Python or JavaScript, and dive deep into it instead of juggling many at once. Use online resources, work on small projects, and try to grasp how things work, not just how to pass exams. Projects are crucial because they demonstrate your ability to actually do the work.
Once you have some skills, aim for experience. Internships, part-time tech jobs, research projects, open-source contributions, or freelance work all count. If internships are tough to find, create your own projects and take them seriously. Write clean code, document your work, and be ready to explain it. Networking is also more important than people often admit. This can involve talking to professors, joining tech clubs, attending meetups, or connecting with people on LinkedIn to learn about their journeys. In this market, students and those early in their careers who succeed are the ones who stay consistent, keep learning, and don't get discouraged when progress is slow. It takes time, but it's definitely achievable.
Start by building a strong foundation. If you're in school or planning to be, majors like computer science, software engineering, or information systems are useful, but they're not the only routes. Beyond classes, focus on learning to code and understanding systems. Choose one main language, like Python or JavaScript, and dive deep into it instead of juggling many at once. Use online resources, work on small projects, and try to grasp how things work, not just how to pass exams. Projects are crucial because they demonstrate your ability to actually do the work.
Once you have some skills, aim for experience. Internships, part-time tech jobs, research projects, open-source contributions, or freelance work all count. If internships are tough to find, create your own projects and take them seriously. Write clean code, document your work, and be ready to explain it. Networking is also more important than people often admit. This can involve talking to professors, joining tech clubs, attending meetups, or connecting with people on LinkedIn to learn about their journeys. In this market, students and those early in their careers who succeed are the ones who stay consistent, keep learning, and don't get discouraged when progress is slow. It takes time, but it's definitely achievable.