For years, students majoring in computer science and other tech fields had their pick of topnotch internships and high-paying positions after graduation. But with recent layoffs at some of the biggest tech companies and the expanding use of AI in foundational coding, the market for internships and jobs in these fields is more uncertain.

“When I was in high school, everyone was talking about CS being one of the best degrees,” said Kidus Legesse ’26, a math and computer science double major. “But now there are no more guarantees that you’re going to get a software engineering job. A lot of students are more pessimistic about future job opportunities.”

To help students navigate this new marketplace, staff in Arts & Sciences Career Development, as well as Cornell Career Services, have added new services and new strategies in their one-on-one sessions. Computer science is the largest major in the College of Arts & Sciences, with 545 students enrolled.

“For the past couple of years, it’s been a candidate’s market, so applying to jobs and getting an offer was simply a numbers game,” said Jen Maclaughlin, director of A&S Career Development. “However, that strategy isn’t effective in the current market and students need to adapt. Mass applying to 100 or 300 jobs without implementing a strategy is not going to result in an offer.”

Instead, she said, students need to target specific organizations that match their interests, skills and values, and tailor their application materials to those specific organizations.  

Read the full story on The College of Arts & Sciences website.