Computer Science Graduate looking for work

[JobSearch2024]

DS has recently graduated with a 2:1 in Artificial Intelligence. He has been sending off loads of job applications and getting rejections or no response at all. He is getting somewhat despondent. He is going to book an appointment with the career advice service at the university he has recently left. However, there is currently a long wait for an appointment.
Does anyone have any good ideas about where would be a good place for DS to look for jobs? He is currently searching the employment agencies online and applying for lots of different jobs. I just wondered if there might be any tips he hasn't thought of.
Thanks for any pointers.

Worth looking into as I think you can get a good bursary for the training so should be affordable

He needs to be looking at getting a job now. Any job, not necessarily a graduate computer science job. It's much easier to find a job when you're already in a job. He could be gaining valuable experience and transferable skills at the moment. Did he apply for graduate schemes last year? There won't be any open at the moment as they're usually much earlier for a September intake but they should be opening in autumn time.

https://www.faststream.gov.uk/digital-data-technology/index.html

Have a look a Civil Service DDAT schemes; I’ve linked to fast stream but there will be others and roles specifically targeted to new graduates. A good opportunity to build some practical experience with support to network and build other skills.

While DS1 was trying to build up appropriate work experience whilst applying for graduate jobs, he started doing some work from home training chat bots to get better at programming and at Maths. It pays pretty well and he seems to be able to pick up as much or as little work as he wants. Is this something your son has considered?

@RedToothBrush you describe my ds1 - the one who did get on the grad scheme. I have another Comp Sci ds who is an entirely different personality to his brother. He knows he's highly unlikely to be able to show leadership in other extra curricular activities completely unrelated to computing, can show almost a 'portfolio' of what they've done - especially if it's off their own back. So he is filling GitHub with a 'portfolio' of what he's done - off his own back, setting himself challenges to show he can learndifferent skills and master new languages etc etc

@Overthebow Yes, I agree that getting any job for the time being would be a good move. Unfortunately DS didn't apply for graduate jobs last year. He does regret this. It is useful to know that the graduate openings will start to be advertised in the Autumn.

@UncorrectedPersonalityTraits Thank you for this amazing suggestion. Will relay this to DS. Sounds like a great idea.

@VilanelleTutu Thanks for this brilliant idea. I will pass this information onto DS.

Thanks for this idea. Definitely food for thought.

Look at local unis. We are having issues filling low level service desk roles. Pay is not great but good places to get foot in the door, show willing and move up.

Another suggestion, along the lines of the PP who mentioned about getting any sort of job is a good idea, perhaps look at related roles.

For example, there can often be quite an overlap between computer science and data analysis roles, especially if he has knowledge of Python or R which are very much in demand.

There may be parts of his course that are very relevant to these other areas.

For example, this is just a random job advert from Reed. It's in London but there are plenty all over the country, for a Graduate Data Analyst £35k-40k

https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/graduate-data-analyst/52439752

They say:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field, with a strong academic record.
• Demonstrated interest in data analysis through coursework, projects, or internships.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: SQL, Python, R, or similar data analysis tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into understandable insights.

Hi, I work for this company and they run an excellent Grad Scheme. Details here UK Early Careers Programme (dxc.com)

@pollypocketss Thanks for your post. Sorry for not replying earlier. I somehow missed seeing your post when I read the responses previously. DS is based in Shropshire but is prepared to move elsewhere for a job.

@CantHoldMeDown Many thanks for all of this information. I hadn't realised that ADD was an outdated term.
You did brilliantly to work full time and do a Masters at the same time.

@GrossEncountersoftheTurdKind Thanks! I have passed this information to DS.

Thank you. Sounds like an excellent idea!

Good luck to your ds. Glad that there are lots of possibilities. Important thing is to move forward in some way, he doesn't have to make the perfect choice the first time.

Not a problem.

I would look out for graduate scheme at large retailers I.e John Lewis, Next, Dunelm, Currys and so on. They offer different levels, even for those graduating but will conduct an assessment day to select from a pool of students/graduates.

Does your son have LinkedIn?

@pollypocketss Great advice. Will relay to DS.
DS does have LinkedIn. As of today, he also has Github, following suggestions that this could also be useful!

The Civil Service struggle to recruit and retain good IT staff so may be worth looking at graduate and entry level positions. They have a really good pension scheme but that tends to be less important to younger people.

The Civil Service can also be quite accommodating of disabilities such ADHD.

Please tell him to connect with recruiters, either analytics agencies like Harnham or directly from companies he is interested in. Feel free to message me directly if you need any help with this!

Thank you! I have just advised him about what you advised and he thought it was a good idea and plans to do it!

I agree with @TheStirrer I work in a uni IT department that currently has 50 vacancies. They're in a wide range of roles, so there are lots of opportunities for development and sideways moves. The pay may be less than industry, but it's still decent, and there's 44 days leave (including bank holidays).