20 most popular jobs upon graduation for students majoring in computer science

Here’s a practical breakdown of the 20 most popular jobs for graduates with computer science degrees. CS majors often picture themselves as software engineers—and that’s true for many—but the degree also opens doors into data, design, security, consulting, and even roles that bridge business and technology. Employers like CS grads because you’ve proven you can learn complex systems and build things that work.

• Software Engineer / Developer
  The classic start: writing code, fixing bugs, and building features in everything from startups to global tech companies.
• Web Developer
  Creating and maintaining websites, e-commerce platforms, and web applications; front-end, back-end, or full-stack.
• Mobile App Developer
  Designing and coding apps for iOS and Android; popular in consumer tech, gaming, and fintech.
• QA Engineer / Test Engineer
  Writing and running tests, finding bugs, and improving product quality; often the gateway to automation and DevOps.
• DevOps / Site Reliability Engineer (entry-level)
  Supporting infrastructure, monitoring systems, and automating deployments; cloud skills are a plus.
• Data Analyst
  Cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data to support business decisions; SQL and Python skills shine here.
• Data Engineer
  Building data pipelines and warehouses so analysts and scientists can work efficiently.
• Junior Data Scientist
  Applying statistical models, machine learning, and predictive analytics to business and product problems.
• Systems Analyst
  Evaluating IT systems, gathering requirements, and designing improvements that align with business needs.
• IT Support Specialist
  Troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues; a practical start that builds problem-solving chops.
• Cybersecurity Analyst
  Monitoring networks, responding to incidents, and protecting data; demand here is growing fast.
• Cloud Engineer (entry-level associate)
  Supporting cloud infrastructure in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud; provisioning resources and managing costs.
• Product Manager (junior level)
  Working with engineers, designers, and stakeholders to define requirements and ship products; strong communication is key.
• UX Engineer / Front-End Specialist
  Blending coding with design to build interfaces users actually enjoy using.
• Game Developer (entry-level)
  Programming gameplay mechanics, physics, or graphics in gaming studios and entertainment companies.
• AI / Machine Learning Engineer (junior level)
  Supporting ML projects with data prep, model training, and evaluation; Python and ML frameworks matter.
• Business Analyst (tech focus)
  Acting as the bridge between business stakeholders and dev teams; writing specs and mapping workflows.
• Technical Consultant
  Implementing software solutions for clients, customizing platforms, and training end-users.
• Research Assistant (Computer Science / AI)
  Supporting labs or professors with experiments, code, and publications; strong prep for grad school.
• Entrepreneur / Startup Engineer
  Many CS grads start their own companies or join early-stage startups as the first technical hire—wearing every hat at once.

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How to Use This List

Computer science is one of the most versatile degrees. Whether you want to code, analyze, secure, or design, there’s a pathway. The key is evidence of work. Employers don’t just want to see “proficient in Python” on a resume. They want to see a GitHub repo, a side project, a hackathon app, or an internship deliverable. Show that you’ve shipped something real. That proof is what moves you from “good candidate” to “offer extended.”