First, some facts. Of the Computer Science graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 25 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Computer Science graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 4% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONImplementation ConsultantFast Enterprises, LLC Jul 2016 - Present ABOUTPrior to my current programming pursuits, I spent several years gaining real-world work experience in managerial roles within the restaurant industry, until I realized that my true passion was coding. Fast forward four years, and I am now a senior at The University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Computer Science at UICs College of Engineering. I have spent my years at UIC building strong foundations in computer science theory, software design practices, and general programming techniques. Some recent examples of school projects include: Creating programs that implement smart pointers and virtual copying schemes (written using C++)Developing a Java application (which uses implements multiple design patterns) to manage a small business inventory, as part of a 4-person teamDeveloping a C# application that allows users to search for criteria about various Chicago neighborhoods by interfacing with OpenDataChicagos database, as part of a 4-person teamI have also worked with SQL, F#, and Python to complete various assignmentsOn the side, I previously developed a small game, called Sling Shooter, as an experiment with Unity/MonoDevelop (written using C#). I am currently developing a mobile game (as yet untitled), which should be released on the Google Play Store in the next few months. I am looking for a chance to test myself and my skills in a real-world setting, and am excited by the challenges this will present. I pick up new languages and frameworks quickly and enjoy the learning process, so venturing out of my comfort zone is not only a possibility, but also a welcome adventure. Ideally, I would like to work for a company that will push me to expand my skill set and grow as a full stack developer, within a collaborative atmosphere with people whose passion and dedication matches and reinforces my own. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the career paths of recent Computer Science graduates from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a clear trend emerges: many of them have taken on roles that are deeply intertwined with technology and software development. Most graduates have landed jobs as developers or software engineers. This makes sense since these positions rely heavily on the technical skills and knowledge that they honed during their studies. For example, roles at companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, and major tech firms like Activision show that these grads are applying their programming expertise in significant ways.
However, not all job roles fell directly in the realm of computer science. Some positions, like those of Implementation Consultants or Procurement Analysts, draw from tech knowledge but don’t fundamentally require the specialized skills learned in a Computer Science degree. This illustrates that while many graduates are diving into tech-centric roles, a few have veered off into positions that leverage only a fraction of their education. Overall, the majority of these jobs are quite relevant to Computer Science, validating the degree’s practical value in today’s marketplace.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Science graduates (this is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Chicago):
Okay, so if you're looking at what folks who graduated in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago are up to, it’s pretty clear that most of them are diving right into solid jobs within the tech world. For many of the graduates, their first jobs seem to be as developers, software engineers, or in roles like technical support, which are all directly related to what they studied. A lot of them find positions at well-known companies like United Airlines and Microsoft almost immediately after graduation, which definitely indicates that they’re getting valuable opportunities that align with their degree.
Fast forward a few years, and you can see that many of them tend to stick around in tech. By the five- to ten-year mark, many graduates move up the ladder, increasing their responsibilities and titles. For instance, some who started as junior or associate engineers have progressed to senior positions at large corporations like Accenture, Activision, and Mastercard. Overall, the trajectory looks pretty healthy, leaning heavily towards sustaining careers in tech. While there are some roles that seem a bit tangential, like a procurement analyst, the majority appear to stay connected to their computer science roots, which is pretty impressive! So if you’re thinking about a computer science degree, these outcomes certainly paint a positive picture.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) can definitely be challenging, but it's not impossible if you're into tech and problem-solving. The coursework covers a lot of ground, from programming and algorithms to systems and software design, so you'll need to put in some serious effort, especially with programming assignments and projects that can be pretty intense. Most students find it demanding, but if you keep up with the material, ask for help when you need it, and stay organized, it’s definitely manageable. Overall, I’d say it’s a bit on the harder side compared to some other degrees, but a lot of students find it super rewarding once they get the hang of it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.
So, looking at these Computer Science grads from UIC, it seems like they’re definitely on a solid path to making decent money. Many of them are in roles with reputable companies like United Airlines, Microsoft, and Accenture, which usually pay pretty well, especially as you climb the ranks. Even the newer grads are jumping into big firms or solid positions right out of school, which is a big plus. You'll notice that roles like "Senior Associate" and "Application Engineer" tend to attract higher salaries, and with the tech industry continually growing, these folks are likely finding themselves in good financial situations. Overall, it looks like they made smart moves, and it’s pretty likely they’re doing alright in the money department!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (this is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Chicago). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: