Graduate careers advice: you and your computer science degree

Graduate careers advice on what you can do with your computer science degree.

Related jobs include:

• Android/iOS developer
• Computer scientist
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Database/Systems administrator
• Geographical information systems manager
• IT consultant
• IT project manager
• IT Security Specialist
• Network engineer
• Systems analyst/business analyst
• Technical support
• UX designer
• Web developer/designer

Work experience

Seek out tech related work experience through voluntary work, internships, work placements or shadowing opportunities. Experience in a commercial environment will develop your client management skills and commercial awareness.

Some courses will offer a placement year, which will allow you to gain practical experience and build contacts. Join any clubs or societies at your university that will allow you to develop your computing and multimedia skills.

Building your own websites or programming online in any capacity will help you to build an invaluable portfolio and show prospective employers that you possess the skills and initiative they desire. The continuing focus on mobile technology means that any experience or aptitude in this area is particularly useful.

More information on work experience can be found here.

What sectors?

Tech consultancies and service providers are common sources of employment for computer science graduates. Opportunities also exist in the IT departments of organisations in a range of sectors including aerospace, telecoms, retail, finance, healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing.

Opportunities can also be found in a range of medium sized enterprises (MSEs).

You may decide to found your own company to provide IT services like consultancy or web design.

Your computer science CV

The theoretical and practical skills you will obtain on your course include:

• hardware construction and architecture;
• programming languages;
• software development;
• network engineering;
• software packages;
• multimedia design.

You will learn how to design and build computer-based systems, evaluate risks and find creative solutions.

Other skills you will acquire include:

• communication;
• teamwork;
• negotiation;
• problem solving;
• time management;
• numeracy;
• reasoning;
• information retrieval;
• commercial awareness.

With technology and software constantly evolving, it’s important to continually develop and update your skills.

Postgraduate study

You can continue to study computer science via an MSc or PhD. A career in academia makes further study essential.

If you wish to teach IT in schools you must take a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

More information on postgraduate options can be found in our Further Study section.

Check out GradSims to learn more about life as a graduate with our employer partners.