ISCAP Proceedings: Abstract Presentation
Providing Computer Science Students with Compass for Career Pathways and Jobs to Include Curriculum Alignment with Job Market Skills Requirements.
Edward Moskal
Saint Peter's University
Abstract
Abstract
Computer science students graduate into a rapidly changing technology workforce where academic knowledge alone is no longer sufficient to ensure career readiness. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can demonstrate current technical skills, understand how their capabilities align with specific job requirements, and articulate the value they can bring to an organization. At the same time, Computer Science departments need better methods to ensure that what they teach remains aligned with evolving workforce needs.
This workshop presents a comprehensive approach for providing Computer Science students with a 'Compass' for career pathways and employment while simultaneously helping academic programs evaluate and strengthen curriculum alignment with the job market. The approach is informed by a survey of 75 Computer Science majors, 60% of the department's 125 students, in which 84% indicated that they want faculty assistance with career preparation.
The workshop will demonstrate three interconnected components. First, a methodology and tool that helps students deliberately plan their career journeys by assessing interests, goals, skills, learning resources, and career aspirations; exploring potential career pathways; developing portfolios and other evidence of capabilities; and conducting targeted job searches. This approach moves career development from an activity primarily undertaken near graduation to an integrated component of the student's academic experience.
Second, the workshop will demonstrate a software tool that enables a Computer Science department faculty member to evaluate its curriculum against current workforce requirements. The tool analyzes course content and learning objectives and compares them with the skills and capabilities identified in job postings. This creates an actionable connection between what faculty teach, what students learn, and what employers require, allowing departments to identify areas of alignment, emerging skill gaps, and opportunities for curriculum enhancement.
Third, the workshop will demonstrate an employer-student matching ecosystem that connects employer job requisitions with students based on their demonstrated skills, coursework, experiences, and career interests. Rather than relying solely on traditional resumes and broad degree requirements, the approach creates a more skills-based pathway from classroom learning to employment.
While the initial implementation focuses on Computer Science, the methodology and tools are designed to be scalable across academic disciplines. The workshop will illustrate how universities can create a continuous feedback loop connecting curriculum, student capabilities, employer requirements, and career opportunities, providing students with a clearer compass for navigating the transition from education to employment.