With massive tech layoffs in US, why one should still study computer science? Government Data reveals…

If one is inclined to study computer science abroad, they are likely to have recommendations to go to America. One of the main reasons is the fantastic tech industry, which has employed millions, including thousands of Indian students. With that being said, the American tech industry has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic; in fact, thousands of people have been laid off from major companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Meta, as well as many small tech companies.

What is causing the massive tech layoffs in the US?

The Bridge Chronicle has compiled layoff information and generated a report indicating that over 100,000 individuals have lost their jobs to date. Intel had the largest job cuts with 12,000 employees laid off globally. Microsoft has laid off thousands of employees. Other companies leading job cuts are Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and Cisco.

Smaller tech firms and startups are also struggling and downsizing or shutting down due to a lack of venture capital funding and increased competition.  The rapid acceleration of the adoption of AI tools has caused many positions to be discontinued, especially in software engineering, support, and admin resources. Businesses are sinking capital into automating many functions for efficiency and cost-cutting purposes.

Several societal global economic concerns, such as inflation and interest rates, and the geopolitical climate that have forced tech companies to shrink their budgets and focus more on profitability versus growth.

How is the demand for computer science jobs still growing?

Now, the question arises: Amid these massive layoffs, should one still go to the USA to pursue a computer science degree? Read below.

There are still plenty of jobs in the tech sector in the United States, even if the sector itself is going through major upheavals. It is not just a hunch; it is actually confirmed by the data coming from the US government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for computer science graduates in the US is growing at a rate of 26% per year, much higher than the average. Generally, people with a master’s degree are given priority in job opportunities.

What does government data reveal about the computer science field? Its employment

“Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations,” reads the statement on the official website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nevertheless, a question emerges: how come there is still a demand for jobs in spite of layoffs happening in the tech market? The short answer is that, although the demand for entry-level positions has decreased, given the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The demand for mid and upper-level professionals still exists. There are lots of companies looking for AI professionals and machine learning engineers. Most of the jobs are going to people who have the skills needed to perform, especially around AI.

This suggests that obtaining a computer science degree is a valuable investment. However, during this time, you also need to acquire specific skills. You will have a bit of an easier time securing a job at AI-centric companies. One must continue to learn important skills to minimize the chance of losing your job.

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