how to develop skills in computer science, However, if computer science is your preferred subject and potential career path, you may well wonder if what you already know is sufficient.
What computer science abilities are most crucial? What qualifications are required to get a job in one of the numerous careers that a degree in computer science can lead to? How can you sell your skills to potential employers and make a living off of them?
You want to make sure that what you learn will align with what employers want whether you’re thinking about a career in computer programming, web development, software development, or one of the many other fields connected to this booming industry. Find out which computer science competencies hiring managers value most in addition to a few extras that will make you stand out by reading on.
The technical computer science skills employers want
In order to determine which technical skills employers were most frequently looking for, we examined nearly 3,000,000 online job postings from the previous year that sought candidates with degrees in computer science. * It should be noted that these competencies are drawn from all job postings that are looking for applicants with a Computer Science degree, not just those for specific job roles. The listed technical abilities are as follows:
- Java™
- SQL
- Software development
- Project management
- JavaScript™
- Software engineering
- Linux operating systems
- Python™
- Business process analysis
- Information systems design
Although technical skills are occasionally necessary for a position, hiring managers and specialists in a variety of fields assure us that they aren’t always the go-ahead sign job applicants might hope for.
According to Kevin Carlson, vice president of development at DataFinch Technologies, “I care most about an applicant’s ability to solve a problem, how they think through a task, and how they communicate with those around them.” “This demonstrates to me their long-term commitment to the team.” If they can pass a pop quiz on a particular technology, I couldn’t give a damn.
Carlson explains that hiring is really a long-term play and that too many candidates focus on fulfilling immediate needs and following current trends. Since constant learning is almost a given in the technology industry, some employers may be less concerned with the specific technical skills you possess and much more interested in the soft skills and other less obvious qualities and abilities you possess.
Remember, a new platform or process can always be taught to you by your employer, but teamwork and motivated problem-solving skills are more difficult to teach.
Computer science skills: Beyond technical know-how
Contrary to popular belief, soft skills are much more noticeable in technical interviews. These abilities can be a combination of innate personality traits and aptitudes refined through practise and experience.
1. Communication and collaboration
You probably anticipated this one. It goes without saying that hiring managers in highly technical roles hanker after candidates who exhibit interpersonal and communication skills.
The search is even more focused for Jane Vancil, the founder and CEO of IncentiLock.
She says, “I wish more applicants had interpersonal communication abilities. “I feel that it conveys a respect and sincere interest that will be extended to team members when someone can make eye contact and not glance at an electronic device during a 30-minute discussion.”
According to Vancil, effective communication skills are essential because the best applications are built on the exchange of ideas and instructions that are frequently challenging to convey via a messaging platform. But this ability can be used for much more than just speaking and listening. Vancil looks for signs during interviews that a candidate gets agitated easily. Even if the answer is “yes,” she queries, “does the person self-regulate?”
Nearly all jobs require the ability to work well in a team, and many employers in the technology industry are looking for employees who have a true collaborative spirit. How often does the speaker refer to themselves when discussing a group project? Vanil queries. Giving others credit for their contributions is very beneficial.
In interviews, most people experience anxiety and might not think they present themselves in the best light. But by making a call to follow up after the interview, you can gain a lot of communication points. You probably only get to leave a message, but it gives us a sense of how you communicate, according to Vancil. “It’s amazing how many people just won’t pick up the phone to talk.”
2. Writing and presenting
Even if you excel at conversation, it might still be a good idea to brush up on some of the more formal forms of communication. According to Mike Soylu, co-founder of Pisano, “I’d advise Computer Science students to also work on soft skills like writing and speaking.” Many jobs require you to explain your work to individuals who are unfamiliar with the technical details.
You might make a presentation to the board or other parties involved in funding your project. You might work with project managers or marketers who need to know what your process will be. Whatever the specifics, being able to articulate and explain your work clearly is a huge advantage. Take on a challenge by stepping back from your work and explaining what you’re working on to audiences with various levels of technical expertise; if you can do this easily, it means you’ve mastered the subject.
Soylu advises figuring out how to put these skills into practise as soon as you can. “Join student organisations, start a blog, and enrol in elective courses that require public speaking. Recruiters will pay close attention to any candidate who demonstrates these abilities and can speak clearly.
3. Self-awareness
When a candidate demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness, Carlson says, “I really appreciate that.” They are aware of their strengths and areas for development. Anyone working in technology would do well to combine that with a desire to learn. How can you improve if you are unaware of your shortcomings? According to Vancil, the resumes that ask for learning opportunities are the most intriguing.
You don’t have to act like the only qualified, all-knowing candidate—in fact, pretending to be such a person might be detrimental to your candidature. If a hypothetical interview question leaves you stumped, be honest about it and describe the steps you’d take to solve it.
Carlson continues, “I’m more than willing to give someone a chance even if they don’t exactly match the skills ‘wish list’.”
4. Professionalism
Despite the fact that some tech companies are renowned for their casual atmospheres, always act professionally when applying. This can be applied to your appearance, demeanour, and the way you share your experiences in conversation.
Vancil advises job seekers in the technology industry to also clean up their social media, saying, “Refrain from using words like ‘exceptional’ about yourself unless you can prove that you are far above the curve.” Make sure your presence is professional both in person and online by thinking about how you want employers to perceive you. Even though it might be tempting to buck tradition, take the time to consider your behaviour and online persona from the perspective of a complete stranger and ask yourself, “Would I trust this person with important work?”
The less-common computer science skills employers love to see
Now that you know how a candidate for a position in computer science can satisfy interviewers and meet job requirements, let’s look at a few of the qualities our experts wish they saw more frequently from job candidates.
1. Code navigation
The ability to navigate a project is one of the most underappreciated skills for programmers, according to Soylu. Because they haven’t had enough practise with this skill, “I’ve seen many inexperienced programmers get lost in codebases.”
He advises locating a project on GitHub, downloading its source code, and attempting to alter some fundamental behaviour. Adding a built-in command that prints “Hello, world” to your preferred shell programme, for instance, can be a good place to start.
Although it may seem like a small thing, programming requires the ability to examine existing code and determine what is happening. It’s unlikely that you’ll work on an app by yourself, and employers would prefer to minimise any downtime caused by handoffs.
2. An online portfolio
Possessing a portfolio of work that potential employers can view may tip the scales in your favour. Websites, libraries, games, or any other projects applicants can offer when applying for a job, according to Soylu, are always a big differentiator. And it’s even better if they are open source so the hiring manager can see how you code.
Beyond the actual work, according to Soylu, a portfolio shows bravery and the ability to persevere through a challenge.
3. Deployment strategy
The majority of candidates, according to Carlson, have never had to deploy a sizable application in the real world despite having excellent knowledge of algorithms, languages, and data structures when they graduate from college. “I rarely see people learn how to think about development and technical architecture in a way that maps to a deployment strategy.”
According to Carlson, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when students have completed a project outside of class and have gained experience using it to serve real clients. Extracurricular activities and internships are beneficial additions to your resume because they provide this kind of experience.
To get even more precise…
As you are aware, computer science is a very broad field. However, these competencies cover a broad spectrum of computer science competencies from numerous professions and job postings. What happens if you want to be more precise?
For that, you should start researching what employers are looking for in the particular career you are hoping for. Check out “What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?” for a thorough overview of some of the top jobs for computer science majors.
