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Report

Developing Careers of the Future: A Study of Student Access to, and Interest in, Computer Science

Discover students' engagement with computer science amid continual growth in tech-related jobs.

Computer science skills are among the most sought-after in the U.S. job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in computer and IT-related jobs will grow 11% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than overall job growth in the country.

The undersupply of computer science skills is a reflection of the "opportunity gap" in the U.S. economy. Many students -- especially those from underserved and historically underrepresented communities -- lack computer science learning opportunities in school and exposure to the field more broadly in their lives. Without the experiences and relationships that spark and sustain students' interest in computer science and help them envision computer science-related careers for themselves, many who would otherwise pursue rich opportunities in the field may fail to even consider them.

In, Developing Careers of the Future: A Study of Student Access to, and Interest in, Computer Science, Gallup, commissioned by Amazon Future Engineers, addresses these concerns by asking 4,116 U.S. students in fifth through 12th grade about their interest in, and engagement with, computer science, both inside and outside of school. The study addresses students' perceived access to computer science learning opportunities and how positively they view those opportunities, as well the extent to which they engage with influential people in their lives -- including their role models, peers and parents -- regarding the topic.

These findings offer new insights to educators who seek to help students from all backgrounds attain the resources and skills to build their best futures.

Download this report to learn:

  • students' perceived access to computer science learning opportunities
  • how students engage with role models and their peers regarding computer science
  • demographic variances in computer science access and interest
  • how students' experiences with computer science relate to important outcomes and their plans to pursue the subject further
Cover or Developing Careers of the Future: A Study of Student Access to, and Interest in, Computer Science
Download Developing Careers of the Future: A Study of Student Access to, and Interest in, Computer Science

Results for Developing Careers of the Future: A Study of Student Access to, and Interest in, Computer Science are based on a web survey conducted June 2-20, 2021, with a sample of 4,116 U.S. public and private school students in grades 5-12. Gallup corrected for lower response rates among some groups by weighting the obtained samples to match national demographic targets for gender, grade, race/ethnicity, and school type. Weighting targets were based on the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey for 2019. See page 33 for full methodological details.

62% of students say they would like to learn about computer science, but only 49% have taken a class.
70% of students say computer science classes are available at their school.
53% of students agree that they have a role model in computer science, leading to higher interest in the subject.