Skills you’ll develop
While studying Computer Science, you’re learning how to break down complex problems, understand how everything fits together, and propose creative solutions. You’re also developing important technical and professional skills that can be applied in a variety of industries from technology to health care, earth sciences, and many others.
These skills may include:
- Ability to break down real-world, high-level problems into simpler components that can be solved and implemented on a computer
- Computer coding for maintainable, reusable software
- Debugging and testing of information technology systems
- Evaluation of the impact of design and implementation choices on computational resources such as time, space, and energy
- Effective communication with stakeholders to map domain problems into computational solutions
- Development of well-structured computer programs in multiple programming languages and at different scales
- Adaptation to new technologies, including computer programming languages, frameworks, and techniques
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including hardware/software manufacturing, graphic design, engineering, health care, insurance, robotics, telecommunications, transportation, consulting, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Artificial intelligence designer
- Bioinformatician
- Business analyst
- Computer programmer
- Data scientist
- Database administrator
- Deep learning engineer
- Graphical user interface designer
- Graphic designer
- Information systems manager
- Information technology analyst
- IT infrastructure architect
- Machine learning scientist
- Multimedia developer
- Network support analyst
- Product manager
- Programmer analyst
- Project manager
- Quality assurance analyst
- Robotics technologist
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Software tester
- Teacher/Professor
- Technical sales representative
- User experience designer
- Video game developer
- Website developer
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- UBC Computer Science website
Check out career workshops, volunteer and mentorship opportunities, job postings, co-op info, and more. - UBC Computer Science Student Society
Meet other UBC students with similar interests through events and volunteering. - Western Canada’s largest hackathon
Participate in a hackathon in term 2 and meet industry professionals at nwHacks. - UBC Launch Pad
Meet other tech enthusiasts in this student-run software engineering team. - UBC Competitive Programming Team
Challenge yourself alongside other students in an international algorithmic programming competition. - UBC Emerging Media Lab
Attend a workshop or become a volunteer in emerging technologies, such as virtual reality. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - ACM Student Research Competition
Present your original research at this international student conference in term 2 and receive cash prizes and awards - Mitacs Globalink Research Award
Apply to participate in 12 to 24-week research projects overseas. - #BCTECHSummit
Attend the conference, do some industry networking, or join an innovation challenge. - Major League Hacking
Check out upcoming hackathons and job opportunities. - Global Game Jam Vancouver
In term 2, attend the largest game jam event taking place around the world. - BC Game Jam
Join other developers and game enthusiasts to create video games based on a given theme in term 2.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Association for Computing Machinery
- BC Tech Association
- Canada’s Association of I.T. Professionals
- Canadian Association of Computer Science
- Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association
- IEEE Computer Society
- Information and Communications Technology Council
- Information Technology Association of Canada
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology
- Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques
- Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum
- Women in Communication and Technology
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Computer Science graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.