Recent graduates in computer science—long regarded as having the most assured path to professional success—are confronting an unexpected reality: unemployment rates within their ranks are now among the highest for any undergraduate major, prompting a critical reevaluation of the “learn to code” mantra that has shaped global education policy and vocational planning over the past decade. According to a recent analysis based on the latest labor market report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the unemployment rate for new computer science (CS) graduates in the United States has ballooned to 6.1%, while those holding degrees in computer engineering fare even worse at 7.5% (Newsweek). This stands in stark contrast to the overall recent graduate unemployment rate of 5.8%, challenging assumptions not only in Western economies but also in rapidly digitizing societies such as Thailand.
This news is especially significant in Thailand, where the technology sector has been championed as a pillar of economic development and a solution to youth underemployment. As Thai universities continue to expand their computer science programs to meet both domestic and international demand, questions are now being raised about the sustainability of this approach and its implications for graduates entering an increasingly automated and globally competitive job market.
Key findings from the Bank of New York’s latest report paint a stark picture: while STEM fields like computer science were once considered safe bets for high-paying and stable employment, the tech sector’s boom has led to an oversupply of graduates. Computer engineering now ranks third and computer science seventh for unemployment among all college majors—falling behind fields stereotypically perceived as low-opportunity, such as anthropology (9.4%) and physics (7.8%). In a surprising twist, even journalism graduates now fare better, with an unemployment rate of just 4.4% (Futurism, AS USA).
Experts cited in multiple reports argue that the disconnect lies in a tech employment pipeline that has failed to keep pace with the explosion in CS degree holders, even as the industry undergoes dramatic shifts. An HR and business consultant told Newsweek, “We’ve overproduced degrees without addressing how exploitative and gatekept the tech hiring pipeline has become. Entry-level roles are vanishing, unpaid internships are still rampant, and companies are offshoring or automating the very jobs these grads trained for.” The consultant’s remarks reflect a growing frustration among both educators and students who believed that technical skillsets would guarantee stable employment and upward mobility in the global economy.
The impact of artificial intelligence and automation is especially acute. A financial expert told Newsweek, “We created a gold rush mentality around coding right as the gold ran out. Companies are cutting engineering budgets by 40 percent while CS enrollment hits record highs. It’s basic economics. Flood the market, crater the wages.” The same expert noted a growing perception that some CS graduates now struggle even with basic debugging tasks, causing employers to favor automation or experienced hires over entry-level applicants.
These developments challenge the notion that tech literacy alone constitutes sufficient job security—even as public policy and educational curricula in Thailand, the United States, and elsewhere have prioritized computer programming as a foundational 21st-century skill. In Thailand, where the digital economy has been a strategic growth target and “coding for kids” initiatives have proliferated through both public schools and after-school programs, the situation raises questions about whether graduates are being prepared for a real-world job market, or for a vision of the tech sector that no longer exists (Nucamp, Jobsdb).
Despite the alarming US statistics, the Thai context provides a somewhat different short-term outlook. The tech job market in Thailand remains robust for specialized roles such as IT managers, project managers, and cybersecurity professionals thanks to initiatives like the government’s “100 Smart Cities” plan and investments in e-commerce and financial technology (Nucamp). According to industry sources, there were upwards of 1,600 computer science-related job postings available nationwide as of early 2025 (Jobsdb). However, these positions often demand a blend of technical and domain-specific expertise, including proficiency in advanced programming, experience with cloud infrastructure, and familiarity with AI tools—skills not uniformly covered by undergraduate curricula.
Furthermore, research from The Asia Foundation suggests that while the post-pandemic Thai economy has shifted toward demand for high-level digital skills, significant divides exist in access to quality training, English proficiency, and industry connections (Thai Developers: Skills, Divides, and Challenges (PDF)). Thai graduates from lesser-known universities or non-urban areas may face steeper barriers to entry and greater competition from both domestic and international applicants, a challenge compounded by limited internship opportunities and a recruitment culture that, in some cases, still privileges “pedigree over potential,” mirroring the critique of Western experts quoted above.
Looking briefly at regional comparisons, similar trends have emerged in other economies that have prioritized STEM education. Recent studies in higher education, including a systematic review of STEM career choices published in 2023, indicate that while STEM graduates generally fare better than their peers in the humanities, surges in enrollment can paradoxically lead to underemployment and heightened competition, particularly during periods of technological change and economic uncertainty (PubMed).
The historical promise of computer science as a “future-proof” career stems from decades of digital transformation: from the introduction of computers in Thai schools in the late 1990s, to the policy rollout of 21st-century skills initiatives aiming to upskill youth for the ASEAN Economic Community. Yet the current reality illustrates that rapid advances in AI and increasing automation of routine programming tasks are reducing the number of entry-level positions available, even as supply continues to grow.
These findings provoke difficult questions for policymakers, educators, students, and parents in Thailand. Should coding remain the centerpiece of the national digital skills agenda? Or is it time to rethink the balance between pure technical education and broader skills such as critical thinking, communication, entrepreneurship, and adaptability? The push to develop “homegrown” tech talent remains critical for Thailand’s long-term economic competitiveness, but the current paradigm—where thousands of bright students pursue coding degrees without a clear path into quality jobs—may not be sustainable.
Looking to the future, experts propose a number of strategies to help recent and future computer science graduates maximize their employment prospects. Among their recommendations:
- Diversify skillsets beyond basic programming, with a focus on AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud architecture.
- Pursue certifications, internships, and industry placements that emphasize real-world application of technical skills.
- Strengthen English and soft skills, including communication and teamwork, to stand out in multinational and remote-working environments.
- Explore interdisciplinary pathways—combining coding expertise with knowledge in fields such as healthcare, finance, and logistics.
- Encourage entrepreneurial mindsets, as the gig economy and tech start-ups continue to offer alternative career pathways.
- For employers and government, support the creation of more paid internships, fair entry-level opportunities, and investment in retraining programs for displaced workers.
As an educator at a major Thai university’s computer science department explained in a recent online open house, “Our role is no longer just to teach syntax and algorithms but to empower students with the resilience and creativity to thrive in a constantly evolving digital world. We need to be honest about the job market while giving students the confidence to carve new paths—sometimes outside of traditional tech roles.”
For Thai families and students contemplating the next step, the takeaway is clear: computer science remains a powerful tool, but it is no longer a guarantee of employment or prosperity. It is crucial to research labor market dynamics, seek out specializations with proven demand, and avoid falling into the “one-size-fits-all” narrative that has, paradoxically, created today’s oversupply of struggling coders. As Thai society continues to digitize and the nature of work itself evolves, continuous learning, flexibility, and an openness to reinventing one’s career will be the keys to long-term success.
For those navigating these complex decisions, practical steps include seeking out advisory support through university career centers, participating in hackathons and tech meetups, developing portfolios of completed projects, and networking with employers early on. As daunting as current statistics may be, the digital economy remains full of opportunity for learners willing to adapt—and for a Thai workforce that combines technical aptitude with creativity and resilience.
Sources:
- “Learn to Code" Backfires Spectacularly as Comp-Sci Majors Suddenly Have Sky-High Unemployment” (Futurism)
- US computer engineering grads double the unemployment rate (VN Express)
- A Popular College Major Has One of The Highest Unemployment Rates (Newsweek)
- Computer Science Jobs in Thailand (Jobsdb)
- Nucamp: Getting a Job in Tech in Thailand in 2024
- Thai Developers: Skills, Divides, and Challenges (Asia Foundation)
- STEM Career Review, PubMed