Five Things Every Computer Science Student Should Know
A computer science degree still opens more doors than most other majors, but AI has shifted the field enough that some old assumptions no longer hold. Here are five things computer science students should know, regardless of where they choose to earn their degree.
The unemployment numbers are real, but there are caveats
In 2025, widely cited Federal Reserve Bank of New York data put recent computer graduates’ unemployment rate at 6.1%, higher than many non-technical majors. But the number is a bit less scary up close. It’s drawn from a small 2023 survey sample with a wide margin of error, and the study predates the most recent hiring cycles. Computer science graduates still earn some of the highest starting salaries of any major (NACE projects an average above $81,500 for the Class of 2026) and are far less likely than most peers to be underemployed. Although the market for computer science majors has tightened, it hasn’t collapsed as many media outlets claim.
AI has changed what “entry-level” means, not whether it exists
The easiest junior developer tasks, like boilerplate code, simple fixes and routine scripts, are increasingly handled by AI. Rather than asking new hires, “Can you write this function?” companies want to know, “Can you evaluate, debug and integrate what AI produces and know when it’s wrong?” Understanding how to use AI tools is important, but computer science graduates must maintain an understanding of the code itself. If students can prompt an AI but can’t explain an output, they’ll struggle after graduation.
A portfolio of real projects matters as much as a high GPA
Computer science coursework teaches fundamentals, but employers increasingly want to see what candidates have built on their own. A portfolio could include a working app, an open-source contribution or a personal website. A solid GitHub profile or a couple of detailed projects will distinguish a computer science student more than a transcript alone.
Internships are the new job interviews
Many companies now treat their internship pipeline as their primary hiring channel for new graduates. Computer science students who reach graduation without internship experience will be competing for a dwindling number of jobs. Schools like Stevens, which have cooperative education models, build this timeline into advising starting in the sophomore year. Advisors encourage students to apply for internships early, look beyond brand-name companies and treat internships like auditions.
Employers are beginning to value specialization above generalization
Generalist coding roles have become more competitive while those in cybersecurity, data infrastructure, applied machine learning and cloud systems have stayed strong. Computer science students don’t need to enter college with a narrow specialty in mind, but developing depth in one in-demand area by graduation will be an asset. Stevens’ computer science program, for example, allows students to build toward AI, cybersecurity or systems concentrations specifically rather than directing them to one generic track.
In short, computer science degrees have not lost their value, but the bar graduates must clear to secure their first jobs has risen. Students who recognize this shift will be the ones best positioned to meet these new standards.
