Choosing a Computer Science and Engineering Career Path

In my 20+ year career in Software Engineering, I’ve been an IC, a VP of Engineering, and now CEO. Here is what I tell  engineers who struggle to choose the right career path: 1. Soul search You have to be honest with yourself – do you want to go down the managerial path or continue being an IC? Either way is fine. Today, any good company values both tracks, and there’s no longer a need to move into management to progress in your career. 2. The modern IC path If you want to stay as an IC because you thrive in technical challenges and innovation, you can still rise to senior levels – some companies have ICs at VP, SVP, or even Fellow roles. This way, you can stay hands-on and do what you love most without the responsibilities of managing a team. 3. The managerial mindset The role of a manager goes beyond being the “smartest engineer” with people reporting to them. Managers need credibility, but more importantly, they need empathy and a mindset shift. The question becomes: "How can I bring out the best in my team?" rather than "How can I be the best engineer?" 4. The unseen work of management If you want to be a manager, understand that 90% of your work will be invisible to your team. You’ll be in meetings, managing schedules, and coordinating across departments. You’re there to unblock your team so they can do their best work. These accomplishments may be invisible, so you might go home some days wondering, “What did I really accomplish today?” That’s normal. 5. Test the waters If you’re curious about management, test the waters before you commit. Start as a lead engineer. Mentor a couple of people and see how you guide them through challenges. Great companies support new managers with training and mentorship – if your company doesn’t, seek support outside or be prepared to learn the hard way like I did.  Early on, I thought I had to be the smartest person in the room. However, my mistakes and guidance from mentors quickly taught me that real leadership is about empowering others, not proving yourself. 6. Cultural fit and company support Some companies support managers and value leadership qualities. They know that a great manager is there to build teams that can find solutions (not to have every answer themselves). And they contribute to the company’s bottom line and top line by bringing out the best in their teams. Final thoughts: Today, both paths can lead to a fulfilling career. I know successful ICs who built incredible careers without managing a single person. I also know outstanding engineering leaders who value helping everyone become the best version of themselves. So ask yourself: Who do you want to be, and what drives you?

Here’s something I wish I understood earlier: Data Science and Computer Science may overlap, but they open very different doors. ➜ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 combines statistics, programming, and domain expertise to uncover patterns that power forecasting, big-data analytics, and fraud detection. ➜ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 dives into algorithms, data structures, and systems design so you can build scalable software, secure networks, and AI infrastructure. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: • Choose Data Science if you love turning raw numbers into actionable insights. • Choose Computer Science if you’re driven to architect the code and systems behind those insights. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Picking the right path from the start lets you focus on the skills that fuel real impact—and accelerates your growth.

I've reviewed 100+ CS student profiles who still don't have jobs yet. The pattern I discovered? They're putting their eggs in too many baskets. I made this exact mistake during grad school - applying to software engineering, data science, AND analytics roles simultaneously. Months of failed OAs and rejections. Then I focused on just data engineering and analytics. Everything changed. Recruiter calls started coming in and my interview performance improved dramatically. Here's what you should do instead: 🎯 Pick ONE role and go all-in. When you focus on a specific path, you can: • Tailor your resume to match exactly what those roles require • Practice only the technical skills that actually matter for interviews • Build a portfolio that demonstrates relevant experience • Connect with people already doing the work you want I know what you're thinking – "But what if I pick the wrong specialization?" Here's the reality: a targeted job search beats a broad approach every time. You're better off being a strong candidate for fewer roles than a weak candidate for many. Even if your chosen field has fewer openings, you'll stand out more when your background actually aligns with what companies need. How to choose your focus: 1. Review your projects - Which ones showcase skills you want to use daily? 2. Consider your experiences - What internships, clubs, or side work energized you most? 3. Pick your strongest area - In this tough market, lead with what you're genuinely good at 4. Commit fully - You can always pivot later, but scattered effort gets you nowhere The key is demonstrating depth in your chosen area rather than surface-level knowledge everywhere. If you're currently applying to multiple roles – how has that been working for you?