Evaluating the Gap Between the Skills and Abilities of Senior Undergraduate Computer Science Students and the Expectations of Industry

Abstract

A large emphasis is placed on improving student education. Every year researchers propose new teaching methods and suggest improvements to existing methods. However, recent computer science and software engineering graduates continue to face difficulties when beginning their professional careers. This thesis reports the results of a systematic literature review that examined the knowledge deficiency among graduating students beginning work in the software industry. Following the literature review, interviews with industry managers and surveys of graduating students were undertaken to examine additional knowledge deficiencies among graduating students. The results from the literature review and the additional studies show that students lack proficiency with software development tools, knowledge of software testing, and teamwork and communication skills. The results of this research can be used by both educators and industry managers to identify potential areas of improvement for students and new hires.