What Is an Entry Level Computer Scientist and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As an entry-level computer scientist, your job is to help develop software for your client. In this role, you may help coordinate the flow of work between departments, provide feedback on the development of an application, work with an existing developer to learn coding techniques, study the programming environment, or set up a server. As a junior developer, your job isn't to create the software so much as learn how to make it. Companies typically use this job as an extended training period to prepare employees for larger assignments. These jobs go by several names, so you may need to apply for positions like an entry-level computer programmer or entry-level computer engineer.

The primary qualifications for an entry-level computer scientist position are a degree in computer science and experience with standard programming languages. Employers prefer at least a bachelor's degree, but many are willing to consider equivalent work experience or a portfolio of custom code instead. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this position may require working with several mentors, tracking the preparation and delivery of products, attending meetings, and traveling on short notice. Excellent communication skills are particularly valuable for your success, and most employers don't mind questions as long as you remain focused on learning. Previous experience is not mandatory, but many computer scientists do several independent jobs as a programmer or developer to build up a portfolio before applying for a full-time job.