The computer science dream has become a nightmare
The coding-equals-prosperity promise has officially collapsed.
Fresh computer science graduates are navigating a challenging job market, with unemployment rates ranging from 6.1% to 7.5% – more than double that experienced by graduates in fields like biology and art history. This stark reality is highlighted in a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a comprehensive piece in The New York Times.
Individual stories paint a vivid picture of the struggle. Manasi Mishra, 21, a Purdue graduate who anticipated lucrative starting salaries, reported receiving only one interview, which was for a position at Chipotle – a job she did not secure. Similarly, Zach Taylor, who graduated from Oregon State in 2023, has applied to nearly 6,000 tech jobs. Despite this extensive effort, he has secured only 13 interviews and zero offers, even being rejected by McDonald’s for “lack of experience.”
Industry observers and students alike point to artificial intelligence (AI) programming tools as a primary factor, reportedly eliminating many junior-level positions. This trend is compounded by significant job cuts from major technology companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft. Graduates describe being caught in what they term an “AI doom loop,” where they use AI tools to automate job applications, while companies deploy AI to auto-reject candidates, often within minutes of applying.
In a turn of fortune, Manasi Mishra recently landed a job following a direct, unsolicited application. Her success was reportedly aided by sharing her experiences and insights about the difficult job market on TikTok.
