List of Essential Computer Science Skills

Computer science is a diverse field that requires a large skill set of hard and soft skills; however, some are essential regardless of your profession within the industry at large.

As computer science-related careers become more in demand by employers, making sure you have the essential hard skills to thrive in the industry is as important as having a degree.

Introduction to Computer Science Competencies

There are several required competencies required for a computer science career. These essential skills provide the groundwork for all computer science work, even if you end up in a specialized career within the computer science field.

The top skills that computer science professionals will need are divided into two main categories: soft and hard skills. Hard skills are the practical, technical skills that are used daily. Soft skills are the non-technical skills that a computer professional will use to relate to coworkers and clients.

What Core Skills Do Computer Scientists Need?

Because the computer science field is very technical, there are multiple essential technical skills aspiring computer science professionals need.

Programming Languages

Computer programming is done in multiple coding systems called programming languages. Depending on the school or employer, they might refer to programming languages as computer languages or coding languages, but ultimately they are all the same thing.

These programming languages are used in software engineering for web development and writing web applications and programs of all kinds. Even though they might use different languages, all computer systems are coded using some programming language.

Although there are many computer programming languages, there are a few that are more in demand than others, including:

• Python
• HTML
• Java and JavaScript
• CSS
• C#
• SQL

Problem-Solving and Algorithms

Algorithms are the rules that help programmers complete tasks and solve problems within a program. Scripting algorithms is a necessary skill for programmers because they are used in everything from search engines to populating posts on social media feeds such as Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Understanding Data

All computer science is built of data, and being able to understand and perform even basic data analysis is essential. In addition to understanding how to interpret data, computer science professionals need to understand data structures and how to store data for various programs and applications.

An emerging segment of data science is machine learning and its relationship to artificial intelligence. AI uses extensive databases to perform tasks like generating text or even creating images and videos. Understanding how to set up the data frameworks that make AI possible is a technical skill that is quickly separating computer science professionals from each other when applying for jobs.

Software Development and Engineering

One of the biggest segments of computer science is software engineering and development. Companies like Microsoft need software developers to make programs and operating systems. Software development is a common career path for people who earn a computer science degree because the skills required for software development and engineering can be used in nearly every industry.

What Soft Skills Do Computer Scientists Need?

As important as the hard, technical skills of a computer science professional are, several soft skills are as important and, in some cases, even more important.

Teamwork and Communication Skills

It's very rare for a computer science professional to work independently of other people. Although not every professional is client-facing like information technology specialists are, the ability to work and use interpersonal skills on a team is vital.

Critical Thinking Skills

Sometimes troubleshooting and debugging are straightforward, but many times it isn't. Being able to think critically and apply a variety of solutions can't always be taught or be included in a degree program, but that doesn't mean they aren't critical skills to have.

Time Management

Computer science is hard work that takes long periods of time to do properly. Often a computer science professional is working on more than one project at a time and has to make the most of their time. Several time management techniques and theories can help prevent becoming overwhelmed with work.

Adaptability in Technology

Problems arise quickly in technology, both with known and unknown threats. For professionals working in cybersecurity, viruses and hackers are constantly changing and evolving, and being able to quickly adapt code to be more secure is an essential skill.

How To Begin a Career in Computer Science

Just knowing these skills won't guarantee you a career path in the computer science field. There are several steps you need to take to make sure you are qualified for multiple specialties within the larger industry.

Educational Requirements

For most career paths in computer science, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science. This degree program will cover the hard skills associated with programming and the day-to-day work.

Even though most jobs only require a four-year degree, if you plan to pursue project management or other leadership roles in the field there are many master's degree programs that will include higher level courses.

Real-World Experience

Although the hard skills associated with computer science can be learned in a degree program, many of the soft skills need to be learned through real-world experience.

In addition to formal education in a college degree program, less formal education opportunities like internships, contributing to open-source projects, and team collaborations will help you master the necessary soft skills.

Lifelong Learning

Because computer science is a constantly evolving industry, new learning opportunities arise all the time for computer science professionals as technology changes. Consider the rise in AI-related programming over the last few years. Even someone who completed a bachelor's degree program less than a decade ago might not have had adequate training in machine learning.

If you want to work in computer science, your learning won't end on graduation day. Some employers will require continuing education in the form of new certifications and online courses, but self-study is another important skill that computer science professionals need.

Careers for Computer Science Majors

People graduating with a degree in computer science are usually looking to join the industry, but might not know which careers are best for them.

The following careers aren't the only ones that you'll be qualified for with a computer science degree, but they are some of the most common.

Webmaster

A webmaster's job is to maintain the functionality and performance of a website either for a company they work for or clients of an agency they work for. Webmasters handle the coding for the site, maintain the server, and keep the domain registered.

Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write code to connect software and hardware. Programmers also are responsible for testing their code to ensure that everything is running like it is supposed to. They routinely work with team members of other specialties, like software developers.

Web Developer

A web developer creates websites for clients or their companies and manages the coding and design elements. Developers work with webmasters who are responsible for maintaining the site once it has been published.

Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity has never been more important than it is in the modern era of hackers. Information security analysts have value in both the private and public sectors as companies and governments need help protecting valuable assets.

User Experience (UX) Designer

User experience (UX) is the specialization of computer science that examines features of software and website interfaces to see how users interact with them. This is a very important job because UX designers are often responsible for making sure that interfaces are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Failure to comply with this act can result in legal action and lawsuits.