Why So Many Students Take the Leap
The world of computer science is buzzing like a beehive, pulling in fresh talent every year. And it’s easy to see why. Technology is everywhere, from the smart toasters on our counters to the AI assistants in our pockets. For students diving into this field, the well-worn path is clear: finish a degree, choose a specialization, and then secure a thesis project or internship.
But reality often looks different, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where universities don’t always hand students neatly packaged internships. Unlike some institutions abroad that offer co-op programs (rotating between full-time classes and full-time work), here students are left to chase opportunities on their own.
And many do just that. They build marketable skills early, freelance on the side, and even land part-time jobs before graduation. That balancing act, juggling academics and work life as a computer science major, is where the real story begins.
Building Skills That Actually Sell
Take Imran Rahman, for example. By the time he started at BRAC University in 2022, he was already freelancing. Soon after, he joined TechSpire Ltd. as a part-time full-stack developer.
“First off, you need raw hard skills,” he said. For him, that meant learning Django, building solid projects, and putting his early programming experience to the test.
Others echo the same sentiment. At North South University, Khan Asfi Reza carved his path to becoming a Lead Backend Engineer at Zelf Technologies. His advice is straightforward: master the basics, then keep applying them in real-world scenarios.
And it’s not just about coding alone. Students who build an online presence — through GitHub contributions, hackathons, or open-source projects often stand out. As Asfi puts it, “Competitive programming or contributing to open-source can really give you a career boost.”
Meanwhile, Zobaer Ibn Razzaque from United International University adds another layer: communication. “Being able to speak English properly and without mistakes is a must,” he noted. Combine that with time management, and you’ve got the foundation for survival.
The Road to That First Job
Of course, raw skill alone doesn’t magically open doors. Imran applied to over 250 jobs before landing one. “I was simply applying to anything on LinkedIn that matched my skill set. Eventually, I got a reply from a CTO,” he explained.
That interview tested both his prior experience and his technical knowledge. After some negotiation, he secured 20 hours a week — enough to balance with studies, though not without challenges.
Asfi, meanwhile, started on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork back in 2020. Those gigs not only sharpened his skills but also polished his GitHub profile. When Zelf Technologies came calling, he was ready.
And sometimes, opportunity arrives through old-fashioned networking. Zobaer found his break thanks to an alumni mentor. “One of the company’s owners is my school alumni. He’s like a mentor to me. Through him, I joined my current workplace as an intern and now I’m an operations manager.”
Balancing Studies and a Job: Easier Said Than Done
Here’s where the balancing act really begins. Anyone who’s tried juggling academics and work life as a computer science major knows it’s no easy feat.
For Imran, remote work made things manageable. “My boss allows me flexible hours and days off during exams. But it does mean a lot of all-nighters,” he admitted.
Asfi found a rhythm by structuring his days: classes in the morning, work in the afternoons, and studying on weekends. During exams, he’d clear job tasks early to carve out study time.
And then there’s the secret weapon every student wishes for: supportive friends. “I have a very close group of friends, and I just read their notes before exams,” laughed Zobaer. Sometimes, teamwork really does make the dream work.
What the Work Actually Looks Like
Landing a job while studying is exciting, but it’s also a heavy responsibility. Imran describes it simply: “Your code is important, and people depend on it.”
For Asfi, that responsibility means designing cloud solutions, building services to process data, and managing continuous integration. It’s real-world engineering, not classroom exercises.
And not everyone stays strictly within IT. Zobaer’s role in operations is more about communication, project management, and endless client meetings. “There are days I have 7–8 meetings back-to-back,” he shared. It’s exhausting but rewarding.
The Sacrifices That Come With It
This lifestyle isn’t glamorous. Students who balance both worlds pay a price — often in sleep, social life, and personal downtime.
“There have been times I missed classes due to work, forcing me to catch up later,” said Asfi. Imran agreed, stressing that patience and grit are essential.
For Zobaer, the biggest sacrifice was leisure time. “There were weeks when I barely saw family or friends. But these are steps I took knowingly to start my career early and explore what I’m capable of.”
It’s a trade-off: miss out on certain freedoms now to gain career stability later.
Lessons From the Front Lines
Looking at these journeys, a few lessons stand out for anyone considering juggling academics and work life as a computer science major:
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Master the basics first. Fancy frameworks and buzzwords won’t help if your fundamentals are weak.
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Build a portfolio. GitHub projects, freelance gigs, and hackathons speak louder than grades alone.
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Network wisely. Alumni, mentors, and even cold emails can lead to opportunities you won’t find on job boards.
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Time management is non-negotiable. Without it, both studies and work will collapse.
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Prepare for sacrifices. Sleep, leisure, and sometimes even grades take a hit — but the payoff can be career acceleration.
Why This Balancing Act Matters
When you step back, juggling academics and work life as a computer science major isn’t just about getting ahead. It’s about learning resilience, discipline, and adaptability. These are the same skills you’ll need later in the industry, whether you’re debugging code at 2 a.m. or leading a high-stakes client meeting.
Sure, it’s hard. Yes, it requires sacrifice. But the stories of students like Imran, Asfi, and Zobaer show that it’s possible to carve out a career while still in school — provided you have the grit to keep going when both worlds demand your best.
