“My coding classes were like ‘here’s a problem, good luck’”: how computer science students self-manage career development through supplemental programs for technical interviews

Background and Context Technical interviews are a critical step in the hiring process for graduates of computer science programs, requiring job candidates to demonstrate their coding and problem-solving skills in real time to employers. This study examines how supplemental computer science education addresses potential gaps between academic curricula and industry demands, focusing on students preparing for technical interviews to enter the tech workforce.Objective We examined how student participants in a free, 10-week technical interview preparatory course (EsPrep, a pseudonym) perceive the program’s affordances and how these experiences shape their navigation of future careers in computer science.Method We analyzed 41 semi-structured interviews from participants nationwide who completed EsPrep between 2018 and 2024, a program offered by Esplanade, a third-party provider of supplemental computer science education. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as our guiding analytical framework, we conducted a systematic qualitative analysis to identify key themes.Findings Three key benefits emerged from EsPrep participation: (1) a skills-oriented curriculum focused on technical preparation; (2) robust interpersonal support through mentorship and peer-learning communities; (3) affordances for industry-navigation resources that enhanced participants’ confidence and professional networks.Implications Findings highlight challenges that CS students face in transitioning into the tech industry and underscore both students’ agency and the efficacy of supplementary CS education programs in supporting this transition. External providers of supplementary learning programs have become increasingly influential actors in the CS education ecosystem and partnerships with universities offer a constructive approach to facilitate CS students’ transition into the workforce.