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Job outlook for computer scientists in the United States
Are computer scientist jobs in demand?
Computer scientist job and salary trends over time
Computer scientist jobs over time
Computer scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 708 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,447 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 963 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,282 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,191 | 0.00% |
Average computer scientist salary over time
Computer scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $103,238 | $49.63 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $99,837 | $48.00 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $97,576 | $46.91 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $94,403 | $45.39 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $92,194 | $44.32 | +1.1% |
Computer scientist jobs by state
Most common states for computer scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 255 | 37% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,054 | 17% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 152 | 16% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,276 | 15% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 122 | 14% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 171 | 13% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 81 | 13% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 91 | 12% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 91 | 12% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 68 | 12% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 846 | 11% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 778 | 11% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 112 | 11% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 351 | 10% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 209 | 10% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 109 | 10% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 827 | 9% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 525 | 9% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 340 | 8% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 143 | 8% |
Most common cities for computer scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 5 | 13% | $92,784 |
| 2 | Sierra Vista | 4 | 9% | $90,712 |
| 3 | Huntsville | 5 | 3% | $80,299 |
| 4 | Albany | 2 | 3% | $88,379 |
| 5 | Orlando | 3 | 1% | $84,113 |
| 6 | Anchorage | 2 | 1% | $98,491 |
| 7 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $92,933 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $123,017 |
| 9 | Houston | 4 | 0% | $94,542 |
| 10 | San Antonio | 4 | 0% | $95,224 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $85,870 |
| 12 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $118,018 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $88,166 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $92,894 |
Computer Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of computer scientist experts
Portland State University
Kettering University
Willamette University
Nova Southeastern University
Mount St. Joseph University
Murray State University
University of California, Santa Cruz
Villanova University
University of Michigan-Flint
Brigham Young University - Idaho
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
Doverspike Consulting/HR LItehouse
Tiffin University
Western Nevada College
Gwynedd Mercy University
Portland State University
University of Maryland
Augusta University
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Augsburg University
What general advice would you give to a Computer Scientist?
Wu-chang Feng: It's hard to generalize across an entire discipline, but I'd say the vast majority of time, we are constantly learning what is being done, constantly building on top of that, and constantly solving any problems along the way.
What Computer Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wu-chang Feng: This is subjective, but I think people enjoy the creative act of thinking about a problem, figuring out how to solve it, then building software to do so. What they disliked before was the inability to quickly go from thought to working implementation. This gap is now much narrower.
What will help Computer Scientists increase their earning potential?
Wu-chang Feng: I believe so. With the advent of generative AI, it is now much easier to go from idea to implementation. We can now build things closer to the limits of our imagination.
What general advice would you give to a Computer Scientist?
Dr. Jim Huggins: Computer science is a problem-solving discipline. Computer scientists help people solve problems. Typically, those problems deal with data; someone has a large set of data and needs to answer questions about that data, or process it in some way. Computer scientists write programs that run on computers to help their clients answer those questions and perform those processing tasks. On a given day, a computer scientist might do any or all of the following tasks, working alone or in teams: - Meet with clients to understand their problems and how a computing system might help them solve their problems. - Design computing systems to meet client needs. - Build computing systems to meet design specifications. - Test computing systems in order to find errors in their construction and fix those errors. - Repair computing systems that are not functioning properly. - Instruct users how to use the computing systems the computer scientist has designed for them. - Brainstorm new ideas for computing systems that would meet the needs of new customers.
What Computer Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jim Huggins: Demand for computer scientists in the marketplace is high right now. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment in computer science is projected to grow much faster than all other occupations in the next ten years and currently pays salaries twice the national average. Working conditions for computer scientists are generally good: pleasant office environments, with the potential for flexible work environments and flexible schedules. But beyond the economic reasons, choosing computer science as a career means choosing a career that helps people solve their problems. Everyone uses computers to perform hundreds of tasks per day; computer scientists design the systems that people are using to make their everyday life more fulfilling.
What will help Computer Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jim Huggins: Computer scientists enjoy the opportunity to be creative every day. Every computing system being designed is different from the last one or the next one; creativity is required to solve new problems every day. Computer scientists enjoy the opportunity to solve problems. There is a great feeling of accomplishment when a team finishes developing a computing system or helps a client solve their problems by using a computing system they designed. Computer scientists are innovative. By definition, they create systems that never existed beforehand. People enjoy knowing that they're creating the future of our world. Each benefit of being a computer scientist can also be a challenge. Working with people, both to determine the requirements for a system that's never existed, and to build that system, can be subject to the same interpersonal conflicts of any discipline. Problem-solving can be frustrating if the solution is not immediately apparent. Building computing systems requires technical skills that can take time to learn and to master.
What general advice would you give to a Computer Scientist?
Calvin Deutschbein: I may be in a bit of a minority on this, but I really believe the next 3-5 years is going to be a good year from programming language theorists. The big push into AI with LLMs has driven, I believe, a lot of confusion over the current state of code automation when in fact existing technologies in program language theory, rather than machine learning, can help push automation much further. I fundamentally believe this form of thoughtful, systematic research is much better than the hype cycle at protecting people's jobs while still adding enormous value to society. LLMs are not particularly good at writing systems code, that's what Rust is for, and I think keeping in mind the difference between buzzwords and foundational technologies would do well for all of us in the coming years.
What Computer Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Calvin Deutschbein: The best way to maximize salary in computer science is the same as in any other field - join a union. I would certainly love tech unionization to be stronger but it gets stronger everyday, and for example the Alphabet Workers Union is 1400+ members across various Alphabet (or Google) sites. Individual negotiations or learning certain skills can take you so far, but a group is always stronger than an individual whether negotiating salary or building a new technology. I've never felt better taken care of then I have as a unionized worker, and when I've been between unions I've really felt taken advantage of from salary to benefits to just general workplace pain points.
What will help Computer Scientists increase their earning potential?
Calvin Deutschbein: I really think the most important thing when starting a career in computer science is to decide before you begin your career what type of computer scientist you want to be. We all know famous people in tech industry who have made billions off of making the internet less safe for women or building lethal technologies, and I think they get less coverage in the news but there's also incredible scientists doing works of great value to care for and uplift other people. The first time we sign an offer letter it is very easy for us to do something that isn't consistent with our values, but graduates in computer science have skills valuable enough that they can often live their values and take care of their families at the same time.
What will help Computer Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As we look toward the future of careers in Computer Applications, several skills stand out for their growing importance. These skills revolve around specific technologies that are expected to continue to grow and evolve. Technologies related to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science are quickly evolving and being applied across the technology sector. Cloud Computing: Given the widespread adoption of Cloud services, Cloud computing expertise is indispensable. Understanding how to leverage platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud is crucial to developing scalable, efficient solutions that meet business needs. Artificial Intelligence: AI and Machine Learning are transforming the world. Skills in these areas to solve real-world problems will be even more critical in the future. Cybersecurity: Digital threats are becoming more sophisticated. Safeguarding data, networks, and systems will require encryption, intrusion detection, development, and regulation skills. Data Science: Skills in Data Science will be increasingly sought after as businesses embrace data-driven decision-making. Extracting meaningful insights from extensive datasets and effectively communicating these findings will be essential. Soft skills: Finally, soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication cannot be overlooked. Adapting, communicating, and leading will be essential for success.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Computer Scientist?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer ScienceMurray State University
Computer Science and Information Systems
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Computer Scientists?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: A bachelor's degree in computer science is extremely valuable. It has been and continues to be one of the most valuable college degrees a student can pursue. I really think all areas of computing are in demand, but web and mobile computing might be one of the strongest. Some employers do like to see extra certifications in addition to the bachelor's degree. There are literally hundreds of certifications available in the computing industry. They all vary in the required amount of time, effort, and money. I think anything that can set a candidate apart from other candidates is valuable, and that includes any certification. I would not recommend investing thousands of dollars into additional certifications after completing a bachelor's degree, but I don't think it's a bad idea for students to pursue one of the free or lower-cost certifications that are available - especially those students who might not have strong internship experience, extracurricular activities, projects, etc. to put on their resumes. I think anything DevOps related or cloud-based like Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Azure are especially valuable right now.
What general advice would you give to a Computer Scientist?
Sheldon Logan Ph.D.: Network. The more people you know and the more comprehensive your system, the more opportunities you will be exposed to, in addition to being aware of all that's happening in the field. Technology changes quickly, so you don't want to be blindsided when changes are coming because you were pigeonholed in a specific area and not aware of broader technology trends.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Computer Scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Sheldon Logan Ph.D.: Things change quickly in technology (alpha went rapid rise to Go dominancy when most experts predicted that it would be ten years before computers could beat humans at Go, Google translate switching to machine learning, the smartphone revolution, etc.), so it's tough to predict the future. A new invention in the next two years could dramatically change the direction of the field. What if AI writing code improves to a point where they make human code writers redundant? I think it's more important to be a critical-thinker/problem-solver/fast-learner so that you can adapt to whatever changes come. The people who tend to have a long career in technology can quickly learn what's new as opposed to those with in-depth knowledge in a specific field/discipline/technology. If I could predict the future, I wouldn't be a software engineer/professor; I would be buying and selling stocks.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Computer Scientists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sheldon Logan Ph.D.: Salaries are tricky since there is a vast range of starting salaries in the industries and their composition. In the tech field, wages are compromised of stock, bonus, and base salary. At the larger companies (e.g., Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.), the combination of those three might be up to 200k for a new grad, but it might be significantly less for smaller companies. These figures can grow into the half a million to the millions range as graduates advance in their careers as a larger portion of your salary becomes stocks. This is the situation now, and it's hard to predict where the industry will be 5 to 10 years in the future, especially as the field becomes saturated. As the supply of computer science/engineer grads increases (every school seems to have bigger and bigger classes each year), and efficiencies increase due to economies of scale (more companies moving to cloud-based solutions), with machine learning/AI improvements, etc., salaries might start trending down. Still, they might also trend up with a smaller cohort, etc.
Xun Jiao Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorVillanova University
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Computer Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Xun Jiao Ph.D.: For the past few years, the most significant trend is in AI-related fields, such as data science and machine learning. The movement will continue and, probably, will become even more pronounced. AI will become deeply integrated into our society. With all things going "virtual/remote," we will need more AI people to build the cyberinfrastructure and perform analysis.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Computer Scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Xun Jiao Ph.D.: Two technologies: AI and Security. I have worked in both. These two technologies will fundamentally change everything, from our daily living to national strategy.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Xun Jiao Ph.D.: I think there will be an increase, for sure. With the booming of IoT, autonomous driving, robots, E-Commerce, and remote work, the demand will just be increasing.
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: Programming, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: Information systems and Computer science graduates could find opportunities anywhere around the world.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: It's hard to predict the future of the technology, but we could say all businesses will integrate the Cloud into their organizations.
Richard Grimmett Ph.D.
ProfessorBrigham Young University - Idaho
Department of Computer Science Electrical Engineering
What experience really stands out on Computer Scientist resumes?
Richard Grimmett Ph.D.: Employers are always looking for lots of great projects. I often have my students put pictures of their projects on the back of their resume. Later, when they look through the resumes, they will show the tasks to others who might also be sifting through the resumes and remember the student and the projects. One of my students was part of a team that recreated one of the omnidirectional wheels like i-robot. Based on the strength of that one project, he got a job at Lawrence Livermore Labs.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Richard Grimmett Ph.D.: What we do is technology. It is rewriting almost every field; agriculture, entertainment, health care. Our students sit in an exciting space where hardware meets software. There are so many different fields, technical specialties, and roles in so many other companies that the opportunities are almost endless. Do you want to work for NASA? You want to work for Caterpillar; you want to work for Google, work for EA Sports, and work for the FBI?
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Computer Scientists?
Richard Grimmett Ph.D.: For us, it is only a bit of a bump in the road. Employers are still hiring; the only real impact has been on internships, which are difficult to do remotely.
Afzal Upal
Professor & Department ChairUniversity of Wisconsin - Platteville
Computer Science & Software Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Computer Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Afzal Upal: I believe that this will accelerate the trend towards automation of various aspects of life. This will lead to automation technologies' rapid growth, particularly Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (incredibly deep learning). I do not believe that work from home (WFH) will continue at the high levels at which it is currently happening in the middle of the current pandemic. Although post-pandemic, WFH will continue at a higher level than it was happening in February 2020. Differences in employee productivity, however small, will force most employers to ask many employees to return to their offices. The trend toward automation yet will continue and will lead to an even more massive expansion of jobs in computer science.
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Dennis Doverspike Ph.D.: Seemingly a paradox, there will continue to be a need for very general, but highly fungible, skills and demand for too specialized skills, requiring advanced education. Coding, statistics, and data analysis related skills will remain a hot growth area. The aging of the baby boomers will create demand for medical and healthcare-related regions, especially nursing, nursing aides, and emergency services. Despite the automation of many people facing jobs, there will continue to be a demand for interpersonal and people skills, including various types of sales. The switch to remote work, due to COVID, will create a substantial future market to fill the leadership and managerial skills gap. In many areas of Technology and engineering, it is already challenging to find a combination of technical knowledge and people skills, and this demand will intensify.
Sami Mejri Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Science, Assistant Dean, Graduate ProgramsTiffin University
School of Arts & Sciences
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Sami Mejri Ph.D.: With the rising cost of living, a college graduate's ideal first job may not be in their home state or favorite vacation town. According to Business Insider, MidWestern cities like Columbus-Ohio, Cincinnati-Ohio, Madison-Wisconsin, Milwaukee-Wisconsin, and Indianapolis-Indiana were some of the best geographical areas to live for college graduates. The cost of living in these Midwestern states remains relatively lower than coastal areas, making these locations ideal for college graduates entering the workforce. However, college graduates with degrees in healthcare, computer science, and data analytics may not be limited to these geographical areas, given employers' incentives to these in-demand jobs.
Dave Riske
Professor, Computer & Information TechnologiesWestern Nevada College
Professional and Applied Technology
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Dave Riske: Computer Tech always breaks along a couple of significant skill sets, and those tend to divide along with the hardware and the software.
On the hardware side, you can design, build, maintain, and secure the physical and logical infrastructure that enables computers and computer networks to communicate effectively and securely.
On the software, the side is those who can program (code) and develop systems that allow us to use computers and networks, for whatever purpose the programmers can dream up, whether it be areas of big data analytics, real-time collection and processing of sensor data (self-driving cars as an example), the expanding areas of AI/ML, e-commerce, logistics, manufacturing, e-records... and of course, all of this must be done with security as a driving factor. Of course, these areas aren't mutually exclusive, so students need a good foundation in skills that will enable them to investigate their particular areas of interest to a greater depth.
Having said all that, the most significant skill for anybody in this career field is the ability to adapt and learn whatever changes that the field demands. Technology and technological innovation never sleep. There will always be change, and that change is happening at an ever-increasing pace.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Dave Riske: Computer Tech is ubiquitous today. There is not a single economic sector and, therefore, not an available geographic area that does not include jobs necessary to the digital infrastructure. Some rooms have drawn more significant numbers of people who share interests and talents for this particular study area. Still, as an industry that supports and enables every human endeavor on the planet, work is where you are.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Dave Riske: Change is the one thing that can be guaranteed. For example, Mobile access to data and the internet is now more prevalent than PC access. This drives developers to shift their priorities in what and how they work on things. It prompts network designers to change their perspective on what a network is and how it's supposed to function. And it drives businesses to rethink their need for data, where that data is derived, and how that data can be used.
Sensors, Manufacturing, Blockchain, 5G, AI and ML, 3D Printing, BIG Data, all of these technologies have severe implications for our definitions of what Computer Tech is and how we approach how to prepare the next generation of workers.
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Cindy Casey: Graduates today need technology skills. Even students who are not majoring in computing and technology should be familiar with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. We use AI every time we read our email, ride in an Uber, or perform a Google search. Those who do not want to major in computer information science should consider a minor in computing. It will not only prepare them for the future, regardless of what their major is, but it will make them a more valuable employee.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Cindy Casey: Because so many technology jobs can be performed remotely, graduates entering the workforce today are not limited by their geographical area. Working from home is becoming the norm and has been accelerated by the coronavirus. Students with programming, cybersecurity, and other computing skills do not need to relocate for a career, and should not feel the need to narrow their searches down to anyone or two locations.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Cindy Casey: Technology is transforming the way humans and machines interact. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning will not only redefine the human experience, but it will impact every industry. From autonomous cars and manufacturing robots to virtual nursing assistants and AI banking applications, machine learning will have a major impact on society and technology.
Mark Faust
Assistant ProfessorPortland State University
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Mark Faust: Naturally, technical skills and knowledge are required, but needs for a specific programming language or microprocessor architecture or FPGA platform experience is transitory and, in any event, can be learned if someone already has experience with a different one. Instead, what our partners (whether capstone project sponsors, internship program recruiters, or our industry advisory board) repeatedly tell us is that they're looking for students/recent college grads with the ability to work on teams and who can communicate well and effectively.
These skills are in even greater demand during COVID, when many teams aren't able to meet in person. Even before COVID made it absolutely necessary, geographically dispersed teams have been the norm in many fields, and people who aren't daunted by working across timezones and cultures, are particularly in demand. We try to not only teach these skills but give students practical experience exercising them by working on team projects, as early as a sophomore year, and culminating in their "practice" and a senior capstone project. Midway through the 2019-2020 academic year, we pivoted all capstone projects that were underway to eliminate face-to-face meetings. Most teams were already using tools like Slack, and video conferencing (e.g., Google Hangout, Skype, FaceTme, Zoom) and adapted pretty well. We moved from having an in-person poster session and demonstrations, to conducting the entire event on-line with stringent time constraints, requiring students to be particularly concise and efficient communicators.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Mark Faust: Suppose you're speaking of geography, that's obviously become less of an issue when engineers don't need to, or are prohibited from, in-person, face-to-face interaction. However, the Portland area; SF Bay Area; and Austin, TX, are particularly strong.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Mark Faust: Based upon our own experience, providing access to lab instrumentation in our undergraduate courses, which cannot physically meet in our traditional undergraduate circuits labs, and some early industry experiences, I think that remotely accessed H/W and S/W tools will become more prevalent. Providing either robotic or other remote access to lab instrumentation, automated test equipment (ATE), and simulation accelerators will, I think, become more commonplace. I also imagine continued efforts to better integrate collaboration tools (on-line calendar, project and task management, video conferencing, virtual whiteboard/drawing tools.
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Aniket Bera: Yes. Although fields using AI and modern technologies (like Computer Science and Engineering degrees) will be less affected, as there is still a huge requirement for such skillset in the industry, yes, in the short term, recent graduates may find it hard to find jobs with many companies having a hiring freeze. I'm hoping this is temporary, and things will start getting better after Spring.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Aniket Bera: Most Robotics companies hire folks from both Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, and I see that industry is exploding in the next few years. As automation grows with big companies like Amazon and Google investing in warehouse automation or even person-less deliveries or autonomous vehicle companies, the demand for students with experience in mechanical engineering and AI will rise.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Aniket Bera: As I mentioned earlier, technology will have a significant impact on this field in the next 5-10 years. As more and more technologies are interdisciplinary, mechanical engineers would need more machine learning experience. Many processes in the manufacturing industry require Mechanical Engineering to be done with components, products, processes, etc. Artificial Intelligence is currently used in similar processes of Mechanical Engineering.
What type of skills will young Computer Scientists need?
Gagan Agrawal: I feel that the skill set needed in computing fields has held quite steady for some amount of time now. You will need a combination of basic software and problem-solving links. You need the ability to work on projects with others and learn new languages or technologies on your own. Communication skills are always important. Companies like graduates who have taken the initiative and done projects outside classwork – this shows that you really enjoy work, and you are motivated and driven.
Lately, there are specialized sectors like security or Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning that are seeing a lot of action. If you want to be in either of those spaces, you need to take electives accordingly and probably do projects in these areas on your own (and/or possibly take online classes). But then, there are classical areas, like database programming, that still employ many.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Gagan Agrawal: Computing related field graduates have found jobs in almost all geographies. Moreover, work from home is getting very common, as are geographically dispersed project teams. So, I think job opportunities are available everywhere.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Gagan Agrawal: I think big developments that are coming are the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable computing, specialized chips, and so on. So I think greater knowledge of systems and architecture will become important for application development. I also feel that two big topics of today – security and AI/ML will continue to see a lot of action for a while.
Marietta Cameron Ph.D.
Chair & Associate Professor of Computer ScienceUniversity of North Carolina at Asheville
Deaprtment of Computer Science
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Computer Scientists?
Marietta Cameron Ph.D.: The COVID-19 pandemic presents an enduring impact on all of us, regardless of our various identities in or outside academia, our disciplines, and our industries. Our Spring 2020 graduates saw their class schedules abruptly disrupted; their co-curricular activities abruptly ended, their graduation celebrations morphed into virtual shadows of the usual congratulatory expressions. Some experienced direct battles with COVID-19, in terms of their own health. Some have lost dear relatives and friends. Some lost their jobs. Many have watched the number of entry-level positions plummet. Many have discovered that, counter to intuition, jobs in computing are not immune to the effects of COVID-19.
Abrupt, unexpected challenges bring a rethinking of priorities and values. From studies of previous recessions, we know that graduates launching their careers in a bad economy may find themselves dealing with health and long-term financial issues. This pandemic challenges our graduates and their prospective employers to consider how the workplace will address salary, economic benefits, healthcare, childcare, and/or eldercare. Employers and graduates must consider how the technologies they produce will uplift our society locally, nationally, and globally.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Computer Scientists to find work opportunities?
Marietta Cameron Ph.D.: Covid-19 has demonstrated that workers can be productive in a virtual environment. I suspect that companies will prioritize policies, practices, and funding on initiatives that will focus on family, teamwork, and community cares, rather than amenities within a physical location. I advise graduates to seek out companies based on their desired values, rather than location. If money is a priority, the U.S. Department of Labor site, for each occupation, offers interactive maps that display the average salary, by regions, in the United States.
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
Marietta Cameron Ph.D.: In my previous answer, I mentioned that COVID-19 had caused a decline in the number of entry-level positions in I.T. Some good news is that the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that over the next decade, employment in computing will grow at a rate that is much faster than average for other occupations. More good news: Computer Science is the field that innovates technologies that impact other fields. COVID-19 has prompted developers to produce applications in the detection, diagnosis, treatment, contact tracing of the disease, data visualization, prediction models, cyber-security, just to name a few. These innovations will not disappear when COVID-19 does. These innovations will be adapted and expanded to deal with other diseases and issues.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Computer Scientists?
John Zobitz Ph.D.: Yes, but a lot of that depends on the pace of economic recovery. I anticipate that a required job expectation, moving forward, will be the ability to demonstrate effective skills for team collaboration online. (I have a little bit more to say about that in #3).
How do you envision technology impacting Computer Scientists in the next 5 years?
John Zobitz Ph.D.: Technology is enabling teams, in different locations, to work together. Graduates will need to develop skills for online presence, along with collaboration and teamwork in a virtual environment. Engagement and participation are different online, compared to in-person engagement and participation - and perhaps, require a stronger degree of self-advocacy than being in a physical workplace.