US computer science degrees from top universities are leaving graduates jobless: Why is top coding education no longer enough?
The once-reliable path to high-paying tech jobs via a computer science degree is facing challenges. AI advancements and industry layoffs contribute to rising unemployment among recent graduates. Experts advise focusing on specialized skills and a deeper understanding of physical sciences, as the demand shifts from basic coding to problem-solving and innovation.
iStock A computer science degree no longer guarantees a high-paying job in America. The rise of Artificial Intelligence and tech layoffs contribute to this shift. Many graduates struggle to find employment despite booming enrollments. Experts advise focusing on specialized skills and problem-solving. (Image: iStock) The long-standing belief that earning a computer science degree from a top American university guarantees a high-paying job is facing growing challenges. Despite booming enrollments and soaring expectations, many recent graduates are struggling to find employment in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. According to a report from The New York Times, a combination of shifting industry demands and the rise of artificial intelligence is leaving new computer science graduates unemployed and frustrated. For over a decade, students like Manasi Mishra were inspired by industry leaders who touted computer science as the ultimate pathway to success. Growing up near Silicon Valley, Manasi absorbed the message loud and clear: 'If you just learned to code, work hard and get a computer science degree, you can get six figures for your starting salary,' she recalls. This promise pushed her to start coding websites as a child, take advanced computing courses in high school, and finally major in computer science at Purdue University.
Technology giants reinforced these expectations. In 2012, Brad Smith, then a top Microsoft executive, highlighted that computer science graduates typically earned starting salaries above $100,000, with generous bonuses and stock grants. This promise fueled an education boom. According to the Computing Research Association, the number of undergraduate computer science majors in the US more than doubled from 2014 to over 170,000 last year. However, the job market has shifted drastically. The introduction of AI programming tools capable of generating and debugging code has reduced the need for junior software engineers. Simultaneously, major tech companies such as Amazon, Intel, Meta, and Microsoft have executed significant layoffs. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that unemployment rates for recent college graduates in computer science and computer engineering stand at 6.1 percent and 7.5 percent respectively. These figures far exceed unemployment among recent graduates in fields like biology or art history, where the rate is around 3 percent.
Many graduates face a grueling job search. Students from a range of institutions, including Maryland, Texas, Cornell, and Stanford, reported applying to hundreds or even thousands of jobs. Yet, months of effort often ended with no interviews or offers. The job search process has become emotionally taxing, with some graduates describing it as 'bleak,' 'disheartening,' or 'soul-crushing.' Several candidates said they felt 'gaslit' by the industry's earlier promises of easy success. A key factor behind the bleak job prospects is AI's increasing role in software development. Entry-level coding jobs, which traditionally served as a stepping stone for new graduates, are now most vulnerable to automation. Tools like CodeRabbit promise to debug code faster than human engineers, causing firms to rethink their hiring strategies. Graduates also face an AI 'doom loop' during applications. Many use AI tools to tailor résumés and autofill applications quickly, while employers employ AI-driven systems to automatically filter and reject candidates, removing human judgment from the hiring process.
In this changing landscape, experts urge students to rethink their approach. Sameer Samat, Google's Android chief, highlights that a computer science degree alone no longer guarantees success. 'If all you want to do is learn Java or Python, you don't need a degree,' he said. Instead, passion, deep expertise, and problem-solving skills are what set candidates apart. Samat advises aspiring engineers to focus on becoming top experts in a niche they care about, whether that be system design, AI, or user experience. This specialized knowledge increasingly drives hiring decisions at major tech firms. Industry leaders like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suggest that the future of technology will demand a deeper understanding of physical sciences rather than just software coding. Huang describes a shift toward 'Reasoning AI' and 'Physical AI,' where machines will need to comprehend real-world physics such as forces, friction, and inertia. This perspective aligns with voices like Telegram's Pavel Durov and Elon Musk, who emphasize the importance of mathematics and physics as foundational tools for future innovation.
Adding to the uncertainty is the financial burden many students face. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu recently cautioned against taking on large education loans for foreign degrees, especially as job opportunities become scarce. He advocates for employer-funded training programs and broader acceptance of alternative credentials, arguing this approach could prevent students from being trapped in debt.
The era when a computer science degree from a reputed US university was a sure ticket to success is coming to an end. With AI reshaping the industry and job markets contracting, graduates must adapt by developing specialized skills, embracing lifelong learning, and being open to alternative career pathways. For students and educators alike, the focus must shift from coding syntax to deep problem-solving and understanding the interplay between technology and the physical world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Improving Weather Forecasts: New Buoys and Floats to Enhance Monsoon Predictions in Bay of Bengal
Scientists are set to deploy more drifter buoys and Argo floats to relay more accurate ocean and atmospheric data After numerical weather prediction models failed to detect several systems over the north Bay of Bengal during this southwest monsoon season, scientists are set to deploy more drifter buoys and Argo floats to relay more accurate ocean and atmospheric data. 'We want to deploy them from next year,' says M Ravichandran, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences. 'What we understood this season is that many lowpressure systems formed over the Bay, but none of the models could pick them up. We can forecast cyclones, but these small circulation patterns, which bring intense rain to central India, are missed because we lack surface pressure data. Drifters with pressure sensors can provide the data needed for better forecasts. ' Part of the Mission Mausam initiative, INCOIS officials say they deployed three drifters in the Arabian Sea and will deploy two more in the next few days. Another 10 will be deployed in the Bay of Bengal soon. This year, the north Bay of Bengal generated multiple systems, including two depressions in July, one of which originated as the remnants of Typhoon Wipha, triggering extreme rainfall in Kolkata and surrounding areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Such systems have driven heavy spells across central India, which, as of Aug 8, has recorded 7.1% above-normal rainfall: Madhya Pradesh (73cm, +34%), Gujarat (48cm, +8%), and Chhattisgarh (67cm, normal). Former IMD deputy director-general Y E A Raj says that before satellites, ocean observations relied on merchant ship logs under IMD's Voluntary Observing Fleet and periodic research vessel missions. 'Satellite-based remote sensing provides indirect data through algorithms,' says Raj. 'For accurate forecasting, actualinsitu measurements from the ocean are essential.' How do the buoys work? Drifting buoys measure parameters such as surface current, atmospheric pressure, sea surface temperature, wind speed and direction, and transmit real-time data via satellite from wherever currents carry them This mobility is especially valuable during the monsoon, when thick cloud cover hampers satellite remote sensing The data not only validates satellite estimates but also helps detect and predict developing circulation patterns before they intensify near the coast Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Silicon Valleys Open Atlas Summit Tackles The Unspoken Immigration Crisis
Within the lauded corridors of Silicon Valley tech firms happens silent discourse revolving around visa application timing, green card timelines, and immigration uncertainties. These whispered conversations about H-1B lottery results, O-1 petition strategies, and EB-1 eligibility requirements give away the hidden concerns of thousands of skilled professionals, who are the real force behind America's Economy of Invention. Such discussions are now starting to shed light from behind closed corners and private office doors. One would want to say that with the changing times, Open Atlas Summit 2025 intends to go for the crown as the premier immigration event in all of Silicon Valley. With tumultuous changes in immigration policies and severe competition between jurisdictions for talent, the attention of these skilled professionals is diverted elsewhere, and not just towards legal advice; they need community, strategy, and hope. The Immigration Crisis No One Talks About While reports are, generally, confined to border matters and political rhetoric, an altogether different story of immigration unfolds every day in Cupertino, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. Talented engineers are delaying buying their homes because their visa status is uncertain, whereas talented founders are postponing launching companies for lack of work authorization. The rising executives see their American colleagues rise through the ranks, while they are bogged down in bureaucratic red tape that, with a strike of the pen, might well undo years of their careers. Nikin Tharan and Soundarya Balsubramani, as the minds behind the Open Atlas Summit 2025, know this reality from an immigrant perspective. Their pitch for the conference is meant to address the discrepancy between the immigration system on paper and the immigration system in the eyes of the consumers. "Every skilled immigrant has a story about waiting, worrying, and wondering if they'll ever find stability in America," says Nikin Tharan. "We're creating the conference we wished existed when we were navigating these challenges ourselves." Uncommon Legal Advice What separates the Open Atlas Summit from an ordinary immigration seminar is a practical, peer-to-peer methodology. Instead of generic presentations on visa categories, attendees will learn from the very people who actually got an O-1 visa, fought through an EB-1 application, and lived their lives with the burden of immigration law in the background as they built their careers. The very best thing this conference gives away is free: in-person consultations with great immigration lawyers and workshops with visa recipients as instructors. The mixture of technical prosecution and actual law-making by experience gives rise to an educational opportunity almost no one could ever run into in ordinary circumstances. The Canadian alternative and global perspective Recognizing the diversity of immigrant experiences and struggles faced by some immigrants in the U.S., Open Atlas Summit leans into tough truths. It has sessions dedicated to Canada as an alternative stop, by experts who've made professionals cross over. This very candid approach acknowledges what many immigrants think about in their private moments but refrain from speaking about in public. Furthermore, it delves into newer visa categories and alternative ways outside of traditional avenues. J-1 visa sessions for STEM professionals, cap-exempt H-1B sessions, and EB-5 investment visa workshops provide some avenues for those who have been denied access to traditional pathways. Where Policy Meets Personal Experience Soundarya Balasubramani describes the conference's distinctive positioning: "We're not just explaining immigration law, we're connecting people with others who've successfully navigated the system. The difference between theory and practice can literally change someone's life." The summit brings policy analysts, winning plaintiffs, and working attorneys into differing formats that minimize theory and maximize practical value. Fireside chats with immigration lawyers alternate with panel discussions featuring recent visa recipients to provide several angles on complex topics. Integration Throughout the Career Life Cycle Because immigration affects every aspect of the legal profession, the conference considers visa strategy and career development as one. LinkedIn optimization sessions will speak to how immigration status influences how professionals market themselves online. Surviving layoffs will address the special vulnerabilities of visa-dependent employees. Under the entrepreneurship track, problems encountered by immigrants trying to start companies while struggling with work authorization matters will be brought forth. Founders will also share stories about building companies under visa restrictions, sharing practical tips with prospective immigrant entrepreneurs. Community beyond conference walls Even more importantly, Open Atlas Summit creates long-term relationships between people with shared challenges. Special lounges and networking formats assist attendees in finding people at similar stages in their respective immigrant journeys so that bonds can be formed long past the conference weekend. 15 August is almost here, and Silicon Valley will be gearing up to host discussions that happen everywhere but are rarely publicly acknowledged. Thanks to Open Atlas Summit 2025, immigration becomes not a private hardship but a shared path toward success and stability in America.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
China cautions tech firms over Nvidia H20 AI chip purchases, sources say
-Chinese authorities have summoned domestic companies including major internet firms Tencent and ByteDance over their purchases of Nvidia's H20 chips, asking them to explain their reasons and expressed concerns over information risks, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Cyberspace Administration of China and other agencies also held meetings with Baidu and smaller Chinese tech firms in recent weeks, said one of the two people and a third source. The Chinese officials asked companies why they needed to buy Nvidia chips when they could purchase from domestic suppliers, the sources. Authorities also expressed concerns that materials Nvidia has asked companies to submit for U.S. government review could contain sensitive information including client data, one of the sources said. However, the people, who declined to be identified because the meetings were not public, said the companies have not been ordered to stop buying H20 chips. Nvidia said on Tuesday the H20 chip was "not a military product or for government infrastructure". "China has ample supply of domestic chips to meet its needs. It won't and never has relied on American chips for government operations, just like the U.S. government would not rely on chips from China," the statement said. Baidu, ByteDance, Tencent and the CAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Earlier on Tuesday, Bloomberg News reported that Chinese authorities have urged domestic companies to avoid using Nvidia's H20 chips, particularly for government-related purposes. Several companies were issued official notices discouraging the use of the H20, a less-advanced chip, mainly for any government or national security-related work by state enterprises or private companies, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. In a separate report, The Information reported that ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent had been ordered by the CAC in the past two weeks to suspend Nvidia chip purchases altogether, citing data security concerns. The CAC directive was communicated at a meeting the regulator held with over a dozen Chinese tech firms, shortly after the Trump administration reversed the export curbs on H20 chips, according to the Information report. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports and Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment. Top contract chipmaker SMIC rose 5% on Tuesday on expectations of rising demand for locally-produced chips. But even without an outright ban, the concerns expressed by Chinese authorities could threaten Nvidia's recently restored access to the Chinese market as Chinese companies look to keep in step with regulators. Nvidia designed the H20 specifically for China after U.S. export restrictions on its more advanced AI chips took effect in late 2023. The H20 had since been the most sophisticated AI chip Nvidia was allowed to sell in China. Earlier this year, U.S. authorities effectively banned its sale to China, but reversed the decision in July following an agreement between Nvidia and the Trump administration. Last month, China's cyberspace regulator summoned Nvidia representatives, asking the company to explain whether the H20 posed backdoor security risks that could affect Chinese user data and privacy. State-controlled media have intensified criticism of Nvidia in recent days. Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, published an article on WeChat over the weekend claiming H20 chips pose security risks and lack technological advancement and environmental friendliness. The scrutiny threatens a significant revenue stream for Nvidia, which generated $17 billion from China sales in its fiscal year ended January 26 - or 13% of total revenue. China has accelerated work on domestic AI chip alternatives, with companies, such as Huawei developing processors that rival the H20's performance, and Beijing urging the technology sector to become more self-sufficient. However, U.S. sanctions on advanced chipmaking equipment, including lithography machines essential for chip production, have constrained domestic manufacturers' ability to boost production. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that he might allow Nvidia to sell a scaled-down version of its advanced Blackwell chip in China, despite deep-seated fears in Washington that Beijing could harness U.S. AI capabilities to supercharge its military. China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it hoped the U.S. would act to maintain the stability and smooth operation of the global chip supply chain. The Trump administration last week confirmed an unprecedented deal with Nvidia and AMD, which agreed to give the U.S. government 15% of revenue from sales of some advanced chips in China. China's renewed guidance on avoiding chips also affects AI accelerators from AMD, Bloomberg also reported. It was not clear, however, whether any notices from Chinese authorities specifically mentioned AMD's MI308 chip. AMD did not respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
