I was told a computer science degree would guarantee a job. Four years later, I'm pivoting.
A recent computer science graduate shares her experience of relying on AI tools during her studies, which she feels hindered her mastery of core programming concepts. She is now pivoting her career path toward data analytics due to concerns about her technical readiness.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between academic integrity, the integration of AI in education, and the long-term impact of generative tools on professional skill development.
Mackenzie McAllister graduated from the University of Missouri with a computer science degree. Chase Castor for BI Mackenzie McAllister was told that majoring in computer science would guarantee a job. She said professors started to allow AI tools for class work, and she began to use the tools as a crutch. McAllister decided to pivot and is applying to a data analytics jobs now that she's graduated. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mackenzie McAllister, a 22-year-old graduate from the University of Missouri. Her identity has been confirmed by Business Insider. This story has been edited for length and clarity. When I went to college, computer science just felt like the right fit.
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