Computer and information scientist
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices
- Need to be accurate, methodical and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Create ways to improve computer systems
- Solve computing problems
- Analyse data to fix computer and business issues
- Design and build computer programs and hardware
- Check computer network activities
- Give tasks and schedules to team members
- Work with others to fix computer problems
- Study data to find patterns and trends
- Test project plans
- Plan details for new computer systems
Outlook
Computer and information science has a positive long-term outlook as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software systems and digital services keep developing. In New Zealand, the technology sector is important for productivity, exports and innovation, while skills shortages remain a challenge. Globally, rapid growth in AI, automation, quantum computing and responsible technology is creating new research questions and opportunities.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong coding, maths and problem-solving skills
- Curiosity about how technology works and how it can improve
- Ability to research, test ideas and learn from evidence
- Clear communication of complex ideas
- Understanding of ethics, privacy and responsible technology
- Teamwork across technical and non-technical groups
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
Further study options
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.