Have you ever wondered what kinds of skills you’ll develop during your computer science (CS) degree that could benefit your career, no matter the path you choose? While the technical skills you’ll learn are hugely valuable within tech roles, one of the greatest benefits of a CS degree is the array of transferable soft skills you’ll gain along the way, giving you a wider range of choices after graduation.
Through rigorous coursework, collaborative projects, internships, research opportunities and more, CS students are able to hone competencies that are applicable and attractive to employers in nearly every industry. Let’s explore some of these skills in this blog post.
Problem solving
Working with code means that you’ll need to be curious and good at solving problems with creative solutions. The relative newness of tech means that there’s not always a process to follow, so you’ll need to work out your own solutions at times, or conduct research to see what lessons you can learn from others. All of this means that by the time you get to the end of your degree, you shouldn’t be afraid of a challenge – in fact, you’ll potentially even thrive on one.
This can appeal to employers in fast-paced industries who need their graduate employees to be able to think on their feet and get stuck in. This skill only improves over time, so having three years of practice already will allow you to hit the ground running.
Working in interdisciplinary teams
Working on a software project will require you to collaborate with not only other engineers, but also potentially a tech lead, product lead, scrum master, the client, designers and a whole host of other people. So, it’s important to learn how to balance the needs and opinions of these other professionals with your own when working. Plus, learning about these roles will help you become a more well-rounded, knowledgeable employee.
Working in interdisciplinary teams is something that your CS degree will cover, as it’s a vital skill for any engineer, but it’s just as useful a skill in any other sector – there’s always times to stand your ground, and times to compromise. Teamwork is vital for success in many businesses, especially as you become more senior and may need to lead teams yourself.
Time management
A key skill for all university students, time management is particularly important for CS graduates, who will often be required to work on independent projects. It’s easy to get caught up finding solutions or writing code, but it’s important to balance that with the time that you actually have, especially if someone else needs to peer review your work or contribute to a section before you can both submit.
Your university work and a placement year, if you choose a degree that offers one, will also help you balance the need to find the ideal solution and the one that gets the job done – something that all employees need to do. Not only will this make you more efficient, but it will also reduce stress if you can accept that not everything will be perfect all the time.
Preparing you for the world of work
Your CS degree will not only prepare you for life in the tech world, but also for a whole range of other career paths. These soft skills are just as important as technical skills, as they’re what will make you a great team member and eventually, a considerate, respected leader.
