Career Orientation
During the Master Computer Science we want to provide you with the best possible preparation for the job market. In addition to knowledge, it is important that you develop skills, gain practical experience, orientate on positions & careers, and reflect on your own profile and development. In addition to substantive knowledge, it is also important to be aware of the so-called transferable skills that you develop outside and during your education. These are, for example, your cognitive skills such as critical thinking and communication. Altogether, this contributes to your development as a professional and offers good preparation for the labour market.
The MSc Computer Science in Leiden is a two-year program that cover Computer Science from its foundations to its most recent developments. Taught by leading researchers in their fields, the program is strongly research-driven. By learning the scientific state of the art, however, you are also prepared for a career outside science. You can choose from a wide range of course topics and electives to fit your own specific interests. Also, our close international collaborations with industry and other scientific disciplines enable you to conduct research inspired by applications of Computer Science. You gain academic skills by conducting small projects for individual courses, and ultimately combine everything you’ve learned in a large (42 EC) Master’s Thesis Research Project.
Our program offers seven challenging specialisations, so that you can experience the scientific and societal impact of Computer Science in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, Computing and Systems, Data Science, and Foundations of Computing.
At various times during your studies, questions about this subject may arise, such as: How can you use the knowledge and skills you gain within and outside your study program in the labor market? Which direction do you choose within your study and why? What are you already able to do, and what skills do you still want to learn? How do you translate the courses you choose into something you would like to do later?
You may have already discussed this with the study advisor, mentor, tutor, the Science Career Service, fellow students or made use of the Leiden University Career Zone. All kinds of activities are organized where you get the chance to orientate yourself on the job market and gives opportunities to reflect on your own development, possibilities and (study) career profile as well. Central to this are the questions: "What are my capabilities?", "What do I want?" and "How do I achieve my goals?".
In the prospectus, learning objectives have been formulated for each subject, the purpose of which is to inform you which components are covered in the development of your (study) career profile and preparation for the labour market. Various activities are also organized that help you in making all kinds of career choices and to develop skills. An overview of activities is shown below.
Activities
First and/or second year
Second year
Research skills as part of the Master’s Thesis Research Project
Career Orientation as part of the Master Class
Alumni lectures as part of the Master Class
The possibility to submit a scientific paper to a subject-specific conference, attend the conference, and present there
Science Career Service
Science Career Service, one of the utilities of the Science faculty, offers information and advice on study (re)orientation, career planning and personal professional profile as well as preparation for the job market, such as job applications. Facilities provided to students include online information, walk-in consultations, workshops and individual counselling sessions. In addition, Science Career Service offers expertise and support to programmes that want to strengthen the connection between their curriculum and the job market. This can vary from providing specific guest lectures/workshops to advising on integrating career orientation programmes into the curriculum.
LU Career Zone
The Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career planning. You will find advice, information, video recordings of webinars and tools such as professional tests to get an idea of your personal profile. You can also explore positions and sectors, you will find tips about CV, job application, LinkedIn and there is a vacancy platform that you can make use of.
Mentornetwerk
Leiden University likes to prepare students and young alumni well for the job market. For this we use the knowledge and experience of Leiden alumni. To bring students and young alumni with questions about their careers into contact with experienced alumni, Leiden University has established the Mentor Network. Students and young alumni can register for free.
Do you have questions about your (study) career choices and has the above information not been able to help you further? Your study adviser mastercs@liacs.leidenuniv.nl is always available to discuss your plans and concerns.