Logan
How difficult is it to find a job after college for computer programmers?
I want to go to college to learn how to program computers, but I'm wondering how the job market for computer programmers are? #computer #software #programming #java #developer
8 answers
David Weller
David’s Answer
According to code.org, by 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs in the computing field, but just 400,000 college computer science majors to fill them.
Good luck with your degree!
Matt Raible
Matt’s Answer
Sonny Harsono
Sonny’s Answer
The challenge for computer programmers is to have a work/life balance. There are many computer programmer that are over worked and hyper focus on their work that they become numb to things physical and hard to find enjoyment in life. They often have to sharpen their skills and mind at all times to be competitive in a growing job market.
Cinthya Ligman
Cinthya’s Answer
I will say work on building your profile as soon as possible. As well as applying for internships to build up your resume.
So once you graduate you have a well rounded resume.
Cinthya recommends the following next steps:
Juwan Yoo
Juwan’s Answer
Check out these websites to see how many job openings are out there:
- https://linkedin.com/
- https://angel.co/
- https://www.glassdoor.com/
Additionally, what matters more is not to be "a" computer programmer but "competitive" one that can be attractive by any employers out there.
Cinthya Ligman
Cinthya’s Answer
Cinthya recommends the following next steps:
Jason Erickson
Jason’s Answer
It depends a little on how good your college is at placement, but a good computer programmer will have a much easier time finding a job than most other careers you could choose.
FastCompany put up an article a couple of years ago called Why Coding is Still the Job Skill of the Future for Everyone. It pointed out that while the actual job title "Computer Programmer" is on the wane, the skill of computer programming is increasingly vital in a very wide variety of careers. I would also say that even saying that the job title "Computer Programmer" being on the decline is misleading as well because the Bureau of Labor Statistics treats "Computer Programmer", "Software Developer - Applications", and "Software Developer - Systems Software" as separate, but in practice the job descriptions for these fields is quite fluid.
When I was two years into my college degree (about 25 years ago), majoring in Mechanical Engineering, I took a required programming course and decided that is what I loved doing, so I decided to switch to Computer Science. My mother worried, "It seems like a lot of people are getting into that. Are you sure you'll be able to get a job after?" With the benefit of hindsight, that seems like a silly question. With the exception of a downturn for a few years in 2000, the job market has been very good for me and the gap between supply of and demand for good computer programmers is only getting wider.
Jason recommends the following next steps:
Morgan Bardon
Morgan’s Answer
It is strong around the world and programmers and developers are being sourced from a lot of places. Don't be afraid to look outside of where your living to work however. A lot of programmers and developers are remote workers. I for example am based in Ireland, but work for a team based in Texas.
You might find that there are a number of small businesses within your area that are looking for projects and development work on a contract basis, so look at your local recruitment companies and keep an eye on monster and other job sites for short term contracts to get your experience up.
In the meantime, check out http://www.freelancer.com and start looking at the very short term work that people are looking for (you might also find some interesting ideas in there for college projects) and bid against some.