For college students, saying you majored in computer science used to be code (excuse the pun) for a six-figure salary and job stability. 

Now some fear those days are behind us. 

Since 2014, the number of undergraduates majoring in computer science has more than doubled, but the job offers aren’t flowing like they used to. 

Natasha Singer, a technology reporter at The New York Times, tells us about her recent story on  computer science majors struggling to find employment as their field changes. Then we hear from Ed Lazowska, an emeritus professor at the University of Washington, about what he's seeing in our region. 

Guest:
Natasha Singer, technology reporter at The New York Times. 
Ed Lazowska, an emeritus professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington.

Related stories: 
Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle. - The New York Times
Ed Lazowska retires after 48 years at UW, reflects on AI, computer science, and what’s next – GeekWire

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

For college students, saying you majored in computer science used to be code (excuse the pun) for a six-figure salary and job stability.&nbsp;
Now some fear those days are behind us.&nbsp;
Since 2014, the number of undergraduates majoring in computer science has more than doubled, but the job offers aren&rsquo;t flowing like they used to.&nbsp;
Natasha Singer, a technology reporter at The New York Times, tells us about her recent story on&nbsp; computer science majors struggling to find employment as their field changes. Then we hear from Ed Lazowska, an emeritus professor at the University of Washington, about what he's seeing in our region.&nbsp;
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Natasha Singer, technology reporter at The New York Times.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Ed Lazowska,&nbsp;an emeritus professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington.</li>
</ul>
Related stories:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/technology/coding-ai-jobs-students.html">Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle. - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/after-48-years-at-uw-ed-lazowska-reflects-on-computer-science-education-ai-and-whats-next/">Ed Lazowska retires after 48 years at UW, reflects on AI, computer science, and what&rsquo;s next &ndash; GeekWire</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

For college students, saying you majored in computer science used to be code for a six-figure salary and job stability.   Now some fear those days are behind us. 

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