This list is intended to serve as a starting point for exploring the many career opportunities available to students pursuing degrees in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. The job titles included are examples of common career paths and are not an exhaustive list of what you can do with your degree.

Degree requirements can vary significantly by employer, industry, and position. Students are encouraged to carefully review job descriptions and qualifications for roles that interest them, as some employers may require a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or a related field, while others may specifically prefer or require a BA or BS degree.

In many cases, employers place greater emphasis on technical skills, projects, internships, work experience, and demonstrated competencies than on whether a student earned a BA or BS. However, there are some important considerations:

• Students interested in pursuing graduate school (Master's or PhD programs) may find that a BS degree provides stronger preparation due to additional coursework in mathematics, science, and technical electives.
• Certain government, defense, aerospace, and contracting positions may specifically require or prefer a BS degree.
• Specialized careers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, robotics, and research often benefit from additional mathematics, statistics, or graduate-level education.
• Many software engineering, web development, cybersecurity, product management, consulting, and technology roles are accessible to students with either a BA or BS degree.

Use this guide as a starting point for career exploration and research. Students are encouraged to investigate specific career paths, review job postings, connect with professionals in their fields of interest, and meet with a Career Development Coordinator to discuss career goals and degree pathways.

Want to learn how much these careers pay? Explore salary ranges, job outlook, and industry trends using the resources below:

• Labor Market Trends: http://career.cales.arizona.edu/labor-market-trends/
• Levels.fyi: https://www.levels.fyi
• O*NET OnLine: https://www.onetonline.org
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): https://www.bls.gov/ooh
• Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htm

These resources can help you research salary expectations, required skills, and career outlooks for a variety of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence careers.

Salary negotiation is a normal part of the hiring process, especially in the technology industry. Employers often expect candidates to ask thoughtful questions about compensation. By researching the market, understanding your value, and approaching the conversation professionally, you can advocate for yourself while maintaining a positive relationship with your future employer.

Tips on how to manage a salary negotiation. 

1. Always Research Market Salaries

Before discussing compensation, understand what professionals in similar roles are earning.

• Research:
• Job title
• Location
• Company size
• Industry
• Internship vs. full-time
• Use multiple salary resources to establish a realistic range.

2. Evaluate the Entire Compensation Packet

A higher salary doesn't always mean a better offer.

Consider the following:

• Base salary
• Signing bonus
• Annual bonus
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) or equity
• Retirement contributions
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Professional development benefits
• Remote or hybrid work options
• Visa sponsorship (if applicable)

3. Wait Until You Have a Written Offer 

Avoid negotiating before you receive an official offer.

Once you have a written offer:

• Thank the employer.
• Review the details carefully.
• Ask about the timeline for responding if needed.

4. Be Professional and Appreciative

Negotiation should be a conversation, not a demand.

Express excitement about the opportunity while respectfully discussing compensation.

Example: "Thank you for the offer. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team. Based on my research and the skills I'll bring to the role, I was hoping there might be flexibility in the compensation."

5. Know Your Value 

Consider what makes you a strong candidate.

Examples:

• Previous internships
• Research experience
• Open-source contributions
• Personal or class projects
• Leadership experience
• Technical certifications
• Specialized AI or software engineering skills

6. Have a Salary Range 

Instead of giving one specific number, provide a reasonable range based on your research if necessary.

7. Everything May Be Negotiable

If the employer cannot increase salary, ask whether they have flexibility with:

• Signing bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Start date
• Additional vacation time
• Professional development funding
• Remote work flexibility
• Conference or certification support 

8. Don't Rush Your Decision 

Ask for time to evaluate the offer. Many employers expect candidates to take a few days to review the details before accepting.

9. Compare Multiple Offers Carefully

Consider more than salary.

Ask yourself:

• Will I enjoy the work?
• What mentorship opportunities are available?
• What are the growth opportunities?
• Does the company culture fit my goals?
• What technologies will I learn?
• Is the location a good fit?

Internships: 

Students should also be careful about accepting multiple internships that overlap or trying to “stack” internships during the same term. Many employers expect your full professional commitment during the internship period, even if the role is remote. If you are considering more than one internship, review each employer’s policies and be transparent before accepting. Failing to disclose overlapping commitments could damage your professional reputation, create scheduling conflicts, or violate company expectations.

When in doubt, speak with a career advisor before accepting or negotiating multiple offers.

10. Practice Before Negotiating

Negotiating can feel uncomfortable if you've never done it before. Preparation builds confidence.

Practice with:

• A career advisor
• A mentor
• A trusted friend
• A mock negotiation session

11. Be Prepared to Accept "No"

Some companies have fixed compensation for entry-level hires or interns.

If the answer is no:

• Remain professional.
• Thank them for considering your request.
• Decide whether the overall opportunity still aligns with your career goals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Negotiating before receiving an offer
• Accepting the offer immediately without reviewing it
• Focusing only on salary instead of total compensation
• Comparing yourself to friends instead of market data
• Using ultimatums or aggressive language
• Negotiating without researching salary ranges
• Forgetting to get any agreed-upon changes in writing

Computer Science (CS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are closely related fields, and many careers overlap. However, each degree has different areas of emphasis that may align better with your interests and career goals.

Students in both majors may pursue careers such as:

• Software Engineer
• Backend Developer
• Full Stack Developer
• Cloud Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Research Engineer
• Solutions Engineer
• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

Many employers hire both CS and AI graduates for software engineering roles, especially if applicants demonstrate strong programming skills and relevant project experience.

For many software engineering and technology positions, employers value your technical skills, projects, internships, and experience more than whether you earned a BA or BS in Computer Science. Students from both degree programs successfully pursue careers in software development, web development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and many other technology fields.

However, there are situations where a BS may be advantageous. Some employers, particularly those in government, defense, aerospace, or highly technical engineering roles, may prefer or require a Bachelor of Science. A BS may also better prepare students who plan to pursue graduate school in technical or research-focused fields.

A BA offers greater flexibility, allowing students to pursue a second major, minor, language studies, business, or other interdisciplinary interests while still building strong technical skills.

When deciding between the BA and BS, ask yourself:

• What type of career do I want to pursue?
• Am I interested in graduate school or research?
• Do the employers I'm interested in have a preference for a BA or BS?
• Would I benefit from the flexibility of the BA to pursue another area of interest?

If you are well into completing your BA degree requirements, we strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor before switching to the BS. Changing degree programs may require additional coursework and could delay your anticipated graduation date. Your academic advisor can help you understand how a change would affect your degree plan and expected graduation timeline.

Make an appointment with your academic advisors via Trellis. 

Neither degree is inherently "better." The best choice is the one that aligns with your career goals, academic interests, and long-term plans. If you're unsure which option is right for you, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor and Career Development Coordinator to discuss your goals and develop a plan that best fits your future.

The recruiting timeline for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence positions often begins much earlier than students expect. Many employers recruit nearly a year in advance, so it's important to start preparing and applying early.

Internship Recruiting Timeline

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