View the FCS Career map for a visual glance at how to prepare for a career in computer Science from your 1st to final year.
Whether you already know the type of job you want or you’re still not sure what you would like to do, it’s important to begin career planning while you’re a student.
Computer Science Career Development Map
1st Year
SELECT THE COURSES YOU NEED
Contact an academic advisor to register for courses prior to your first year
BUILD EXPERIENCE
Get a part-time job or join a society, club, or volunteer
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
Participate in at least one activity where you can showcase a skill to an audience e.g., ShiftKey hackathon
CREATE EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS
Familiarize yourself with potential career paths
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Make a connection with a faculty member, staff member, or another professional adult
CO-OP
Apply to enter the co-op program at the end of your first year Note: there are strict deadlines for co-op
DESIRED OUTCOME
By the end of the year you should have:
Passed your courses, fostered a partnership with a professional, learned how to apply for jobs, and built at least one professional skill through volunteer or job experience
2nd Year
SELECT THE COURSES YOU NEED
Enrol in courses to allow you to access co-op and/or your desired field
BUILD EXPERIENCE
Increase your participation in a society, club, or volunteer position
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
Participate in at least one activity to build a new skill
CREATE EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS
Produce effective job application documents
Build job interview skills
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Aim to have regular conversations with your professional adult connection
CO-OP
Search for co-op jobs Dec-April. Begin your 1st co-op in summer term
DESIRED OUTCOME
By the end of the year you should have:
Completed all the requirements to begin your first co-op in the summer, an effective resume showing your new skills and a professional you trust to advise your career development
3rd Year
SELECT THE COURSES YOU NEED
Enrol in courses to allow you to meet degree requirements and access your desired field
BUILD EXPERIENCE
Take a leadership role in a part-time job, society, club, or volunteer role
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
Participate in an activity that demonstrates you using your skills to solve a problem e.g., TA or RA
CREATE EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS
Update your resume with the skills and experiences from relevant jobs
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Make a new professional connection. Involve your professional connection in your life updates
CO-OP
Apply for co-op jobs Sep-Dec. Begin your 2nd co-op in the winter semester
DESIRED OUTCOME
By the end of the year you should have:
Successfully completed a co-op term, used your resume updated with the skills and experience gained from your 1st co-op to apply for 2nd co- op, assumed a leadership role in a community
4th Year
SELECT THE COURSES YOU NEED
Enrol in courses to allow you to meet degree requirements and access your desired field
BUILD EXPERIENCE
Take a leadership role in a society/ club/part-time job
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
Update your LinkedIn account with thoughtful reflections on how you’ve contributed to organizations you’ve worked with
CREATE EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS
Tailor your resume to suit the requirements of jobs you’re applying for. Utilize Career Advisors to get feedback on your job application documents
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Arrange to meet with folks in your network (e.g., Coffee meeting). Learn what’s taking place in their companies and share your own updates
CO-OP
Apply for co-op jobs May-Aug. Begin your 3rd and final co-op in fall semester
DESIRED OUTCOME
If your degree takes you four years to complete, by the end of the year you should have:
Graduated with a degree in Computer Science, a job offer for a full time job
5th Year
SELECT THE COURSES YOU NEED
Enrol in courses to allow you to complete your degree requirements
BUILD EXPERIENCE
Participate in a project that allows you to use your technical skills to achieve a specific goal. e.g., robotics competition
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
Update your LinkedIn account with thoughtful reflections on how you’ve contributed to organizations you’ve worked with throughout your co-op terms
CREATE EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS
Tailor your resume to suit the requirements of jobs you’re applying for. Utilize Career Advisors to get feedback on your job application documents
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Arrange to meet with folks in your network (e.g., coffee meeting). Learn what’s taking place in their companies and share your own updates
CO-OP
Reflect on the technical skills and soft skills gained from your co-op experiences and use them as examples in job applications and interviews
DESIRED OUTCOME
By the end of the year you should have:
Graduated with a degree in Computer Science, a job offer for a full time job
Learn to apply yourself
Get experience
Seek out jobs/competitions/volunteering opportunities that allow you to build the following skills:
Teamwork (working with diverse groups, learning how to balance responsibilities between group members)
Leadership (thinking on your feet, being responsible for other people)
Communicating (sending business emails, making presentations, meeting regularly with team members, writing reports/proposals/invitations)
Participate in hackathons, game jams, robotics competitions
Volunteer in a community group or a Dalhousie student society
Explore courses
Select courses that allow you to build skills and knowledge that further your career interests
Speak with academic advisors about your course selection
Let your professors know your interests and ask for their feedback
Make and maintain relationships
Having a solid network of professionals will help connect you to different jobs and opportunities
Build meaningful relationships with your course instructors. They can provide you with references in the future
Attend networking events to meet industry professionals and public sector workers. Learn about them and their companies. They can keep you in mind when new jobs or opportunities emerge
Learn about job application tools
Sell yourself
LinkedIn: create a profile that displays your interests and career achievements. Make connections with others in your field.
Participate in industry events: make it a habit to attend events like the FCS industry showcase or other professional gatherings. Not only will you meet other professionals, but you will also begin to be recognized as a professional yourself.
Attend career fairs
Several Career Fairs take place in Halifax throughout the year. Add them to your personal calendar. When you attend, be prepared to present yourself to employers:
What was your first job and do you think it was a good choice?
Who do you think are the best employers in this area?
Have you heard about any young people with really cool jobs during or after university?
What do you wish you had known when you were my age?
Student career experiences
Yara Ahmed
Bachelor of Applied Computer Science
"My co-op experiences allowed me to expand beyond the academic bubble, teaching me practical skills beyond the classroom. I navigated the tough job application process, built valuable professional relationships, and gained insights from mentors on standing out in a competitive market. These lessons have paved the way for my success. I encourage students to engage with the community and build their networks!"
Brent Crane
Master of Computer Science
"My time in the co-op program allowed me to hone a wide variety of skills, but the most significant benefit I felt was in my communication skills. I learned how important it is to be able to convey complex technical information to a large group of people, and I was given plenty of opportunities to practice this. Explore the different possibilities available to you. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and never stop learning."
