What can you do with a computer science degree? There are many fascinating career paths and technical skills to explore in this industry.
The tech industry is growing rapidly, making computer science an important field of study for individuals hoping to pursue a career in this area. According to the Tech Council of Australia, in Queensland alone, there are currently 140,000 tech workers, which is a 15% share of Australia’s tech workforce. This is expected to rise to 180,000 workers by 2030, making job opportunities in computer science look promising.
Computer science encompasses a variety of occupations, however, which may leave you wondering ‘which computer science career is right for me?’
Let’s explore some of the popular career choices for computer science graduates.
Machine learning engineer
A machine learning engineer works closely with artificial intelligence (AI), designing and building the software that automates it.
What do machine learning engineers do?
Machine learning engineer duties include:
- analysing large datasets
- assessing the quality of data
- setting up machine learning algorithms
- running tests
- collaborating with other data scientists
- maintaining and finding ways to improve machine learning models already in production.
Machine learning engineer skills
Apart from technical skills learnt through study, machine learning engineers also need to be able to:
- problem solve
- communicate clearly
- work as a team
- interpret complex information
- understand advanced mathematical concepts.
Machine learning engineer salary
Machine learning engineer salaries can range from $90,000 to $140,000, with the national average sitting at $118,800 according to 107 salaries reported to Glassdoor.
How to start a career as a machine learning engineer
Machine learning engineers need to develop technical skills that are very specific to their work. To do this, you’ll need to complete undergraduate studies and sometimes also postgraduate studies at university. UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science, majoring in Machine Learning, will help you prepare for a career as a machine learning engineer.
‘Machine learning engineer’ appears on LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise list – indicating that it’s one of the 25 fastest growing job titles in Australia over the past 5 years. According to LinkedIn data, 16% of machine learning engineers hold only a bachelor’s degree, while 84% hold a master’s degree or higher.
Security architect
A security architect helps prevent cybercrime by designing, creating and maintaining security systems in an organisation’s IT network.
What does a security architect do?
Security architect responsibilities include:
- identifying vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems
- running tests to find opportunities for hackers to target and fixing them
- staying on top of the latest security systems and standards
- being aware of the latest threats and putting measures in place to protect against them
- defining and implementing security procedures and policies for all employees.
Security architect skills
Security architects need to learn technical skills in relation to a wide range of systems and programs, which are often honed both during university studies and through experience. They also benefit from the following soft skills:
- critical thinking
- problem solving
- working calmly under pressure
- attention to detail
- forward thinking
- clear communication.
Security architect salary
As a security architect is not an entry level position, the salary for this role in Australia is quite high. Salaries can range from $109,000 to $199,000, with the average sitting at $153,000 based on 51 salaries reported to Payscale.
How to start a career as a security architect
You can begin your training to pursue a career in cyber security by studying UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science, majoring in Cyber Security. You will likely need to work your way up to the position of security architect and undergo further studies to build upon your technical, interpersonal and managerial skills.
Is it hard to get a computer science job?
Many jobs in computer science are technical specialisations that require university-level study combined with at least 3 years of experience. Individuals need to start in entry level positions and work their way up into these roles. There is certainly demand for tech jobs in Australia, but many require university qualifications to get a foot in the door. Having an undergraduate degree in computer science will give you a competitive edge to help you start your career progression. Undertaking postgraduate study will help you hone your skills to specialise in a technical profession.
It may be hard to get a computer science job if you aren’t proactive and enthusiastic about continual learning. In an ever-changing tech landscape, it’s critical to stay on top of new technology and systems. A commitment to lifelong learning will certainly help you thrive in this area.
Software programmer
Software programmers take an idea or project and transform it into a program by creating the code that makes it work. They design, develop, test and maintain program code based on user requirements and technical specifications.
What does a software programmer do?
Software programmers perform the following duties regularly:
- write and test code
- make sure programs perform to specification
- debug and troubleshoot software to keep everything running smoothly and enhance user satisfaction
- rewrite code in different languages to make programs compatible with different systems
- work closely with developers, engineers and cyber security specialists to ensure programs are optimised, safe and efficient.
Software programmer skills
The soft skills needed to be a software programmer include:
- multitasking
- attention to detail
- perseverance
- problem solving
- adaptability
- analytical thinking.
How to start a career as a software programmer
Prepare for a career in programming by studying UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science, majoring in Programming Languages. Here, you’ll learn the technical skills of the trade, including coding and writing software.
Information sourced from Talent, Your Career and Labour Market Insights.
Data engineer
Data engineers design efficient and secure ways to collect and store data to help organisations gain insights to enhance performance.
What do data engineers do?
Data engineers regularly complete the following duties:
- obtain datasets that reflect company needs
- collect and collate data from a variety of different sources
- design, create and maintain databases
- create data pipelines to automate the movement of data
- monitor the movement of data between different environments
- clean data in preparation for analysis.
Data engineer skills
As is the case with all computer science careers, data engineers require specific technical skills predominantly learnt through university-level studies and professional experience. However, they also benefit from the following interpersonal skills:
- collaboration
- critical thinking
- problem solving
- organisation
- resilience.
Data engineer salary
Data engineer salaries can range from $111,000 to $170,000, with the national average sitting at $129,000 according to 1,614 salaries reported to Talent.
How to start a career as a data engineer
UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science, majoring in Scientific Computing will put you on track to learn the skills necessary to pursue a career as a data engineer. Undertaking postgraduate studies in this area will give you a competitive edge against other candidates when applying for a graduate position in this field.
‘Data engineer’ appears on LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise list – indicating that it’s one of the 25 fastest growing job titles in Australia over the past 5 years. According to LinkedIn data, 41% of data engineers have only a bachelor’s degree, while 59% have a master’s degree or higher.
Computer science careers require advanced technical skills and knowledge, which means a commitment to study. But if you’re willing to put in the focus and effort, you’ll reap the rewards with high pay, ample job opportunities and work that is both challenging and engaging. A career in computer science is a solid option for anyone eager to be a part of a rapidly growing and evolving industry.
Looking for more career inspiration? Explore the types of careers you could pursue with a university degree from UQ.
