What can you do with a degree in computer science and technology?

Sponsored by Northwestern Polytechnical University  

A computer science and technology degree will teach you the skills, mathematics and algorithms needed to build complex computer systems. You’ll also learn how to program these systems and how to use them to solve practical problems.  

Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in Xi’an, mainland China, has an award-winning computer science department. NPU’s undergraduate computer science and technology degree is led by the idea of public entrepreneurship and innovation, with a strong focus on leadership. 

A computer science and technology degree can open up career opportunities in a variety of industries, from financial institutions to management firms, to marketing agencies. 

Read on to discover some of the common career paths followed by computer science and technology graduates. 

Computer programmer 

Once a computer program has been designed, computer programmers create the code for the software applications and operating systems. They look for errors in the program and then update and rewrite it until these errors are fixed.  

As a computer programmer, you must be able to code with a variety of coding languages, including Java, SQL and Python. These will be taught throughout your computer science and technology degree, but you'll need to stay on top of the latest developments in these coding languages after graduation.  

Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Computer Science has a proud history of innovative developments. The school successfully developed China’s first airborne computer; the first micro-program small general-purpose computer and the first engineering database management system. It also won both the National Scientific Conference Award and the National Award for Progress in Science and Technology. 

Computer network architect 

A computer network architect designs and installs networks of computers. These data communication networks may be either on a one-to-one scale or in the form of cloud-based infrastructure. As a computer network architect, you will decide how to best connect these networks based on the needs of the organisation.  

You may also be responsible for upgrading software and hardware, overseeing the network to ensure that everything is working correctly. As you progress in your career, you may have a team of computer network architects to direct.  

To succeed in this role, you'll need strong analytical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills and organisational skills - all skills you will develop in your degree. 

Cyber security analyst 

As a cyber security analyst, it is your job to help protect an organisation from cyber threats. You will keep a company’s IT equipment up to date with the latest security developments and monitor for attacks, intrusions and illegal activity, creating contingency plans in case of security breaches.  

When hiring cyber security analysts, employers often look for graduates with industry experience. Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Computer Science provides extensive guidance and support for students looking to gain experience in industry. The school has strong connections with a variety of industry leaders across 500 top global enterprises. 

Computer support specialist 

As a computer support specialist, you will be responsible for solving any IT problems that might arise. In this role you will provide support and technical assistance to organisations and individuals, test and evaluate existing network systems and perform regular maintenance to ensure that the networks are operating correctly 

This role requires an individual with practical problem-solving skills, specialist knowledge about a wide range of IT problems and excellent customer service skills. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) researcher 

The responsibilities of an AI researcher will vary depending on the particular role and specialisation. Here, you will contribute to deep learning and AI projects, developing technical proposals and leading research activities. You will implement AI algorithms, use research to influence relevant projects and oversee the development of new software. 

To succeed in this job, you’ll need to have advanced knowledge of computational statistics, applied mathematics and machine learning. You should have experience building graphical models, pay close attention to detail and be able to manage multiple projects at once. Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Computer Science offers an undergraduate programme in artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on innovation. The degree is research led, integrating teaching and scientific research to prepare students for all types of research roles. 

Game designer 

Game designers are responsible for creating new video games: developing initial ideas, building prototypes and developing the game’s mechanics. You will use 2D and 3D modelling and animation software and work closely with the game developer to improve the game’s user experience.  

This role would suit computer science and technology graduates who are both creative and analytically minded. You will need strong problem-solving skills, communication skills and a good attention to detail.  

Financial analyst   

As a financial analyst, you will make business decisions for an organisation based on data analysis on factors such as market trends and the financial status of a company. You will perform financial forecasting, reporting and tracking metrics to predict outcomes of certain deals. 

Although this role isn’t directly related to computer science, you will be using a similar skillset: analysing data and using that data to make informed decisions.