When people talk about landing a dream tech job, companies like Facebook (now Meta), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google always come up. Together, they’re known as “FAANG,” and for a lot of college students, getting into one of these companies is the ultimate goal. The good news? New Jersey’s colleges and universities are doing more than just teaching programming basics.
They’re giving students the skills, confidence, and connections to compete for those coveted roles at the world’s top tech giants.
Tailored Curricula for Today’s Job Market
These days, recruiters don’t just want to see a degree—they want to see real skills. That’s why colleges across New Jersey are making serious updates to their computer science, engineering, and data science programs.
Places like Rutgers and NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) are offering specialized courses in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, machine learning, and mobile app development.
For instance, a computer science major at Rutgers doesn’t just take general programming classes. They’ll choose from electives that focus on trending topics like AI, ethical hacking, and big data analytics, fields where FAANG companies hire by the thousands.
Professors keep their lesson plans up-to-date and encourage students to use tools and platforms currently used in the industry. By the time students graduate, they’re not just familiar with theory; they’ve used the actual tech that runs the digital world.
Real-World Experience, No Waiting
It’s one thing to ace your classes, but it’s another to actually apply what you know. That’s why hands-on projects, hackathons, and internships are big deals on Garden State campuses. Many colleges partner with local companies and even establish relationships with folks working at FAANG companies and other tech leaders.
Take Stevens Institute of Technology, for example. Their co-op and internship programs give students the chance to work with companies like Amazon and Google even before they’ve graduated.
These internships aren’t just resume fillers; students spend months in real industry settings, tackling real problems and finding creative solutions under tight deadlines. It’s the kind of experience that makes a hiring manager do a double-take when reading a resume.
Hackathons, intense, around-the-clock coding competitions, are a big deal at schools like Princeton and Montclair State. They challenge students to tackle complex business and technology problems under tight time constraints, fostering collaboration, quick thinking, and innovative problem-solving. These are precisely the skills that top tech recruiters value most.
Networking in a Connected World
Getting a job at a place like Apple or Netflix isn’t only about having tech skills—it’s about who you know. New Jersey colleges get that, and they’re helping students connect to the right people in the industry.
Industry nights, speaker events, and alumni panels are popular on many campuses. Alumni who work at FAANG companies come back to share their experiences, give honest advice, and sometimes even offer referrals. Career centers help arrange information sessions where recruiters from big companies come to campus, talk tech trends, and scout for new talent.
Plus, many professors have deep industry ties, so if a student is really passionate and stands out in class, it’s not unusual for a professor to pass along a resume or give a student a heads-up about a new opportunity at a major tech company.
Support Every Step of the Way
Let’s face it: the competition is fierce, and the interview process for FAANG jobs is intense. Coding tests, technical interviews, and whiteboard challenges can be seriously intimidating. That’s why schools in New Jersey offer bootcamps, interview prep sessions, and mentorship programs specifically tailored for careers in top tech companies.
For example, NJIT’s career center hosts regular coding interview practice sessions and mock interviews with alumni. At Rutgers, there are clubs and groups dedicated to prepping for FAANG technical interviews, some even organize LeetCode marathons and offer peer-to-peer tutoring. Stevens runs workshops with reps from Google who share what they’re looking for in applicants and how to stand out.
Students are encouraged to build portfolios and keep active GitHub accounts, showing off open-source projects, apps, and contributions to coding challenges. This way, when it’s time to apply, graduates aren’t just another name in a sea of résumés; they’ve got tangible proof of what they can do.
Looking Ahead
New Jersey colleges aren’t just handing out diplomas; they’re equipping students with real-world skills. With cutting-edge classes, industry experience, strong networks, and plenty of support, these schools are helping tech-focused students land FAANG jobs.
Dreaming of a role at Google or Amazon but want to stay close to home? Don’t overlook New Jersey. These colleges are fostering innovation, mentorship, and opportunity, paving the way for the next wave of FAANG engineers and data scientists from the Garden State.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.