New survey data from CodeSignal reveals what today's college students actually want from their first tech jobs—and it's not what older workers might expect. The numbers are clear: hybrid and remote options dominate preferences, and diversity commitments factor heavily into where these graduates choose to apply.
The survey polled over 1,000 US college students in fall 2022, with notable findings around work format preferences and what drives career decisions.
The Numbers on Work Format
Among surveyed students, 47% preferred hybrid arrangements with at least one remote day per week. Fully remote positions came in second at 30%, while just 23% wanted completely in-person roles.
When looking specifically at computer science majors, the preference skews slightly more toward flexibility. Over 51% of CS students favored hybrid, with 30% choosing fully remote and the remainder preferring full in-person work.
The appeal breaks down differently by format. Students choosing fully remote cited commuting reduction (72%) and schedule flexibility (66%) as top benefits. Hybrid workers valued flexibility most at 70%, followed by reduced commuting at 64%.
Diversity Commitments Shape Decisions
About 90% of respondents said a company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) stance factored into their employment decisions. Nearly half called DEI initiatives "very important" in that choice.
Gender differences emerged in interesting ways. Women were over 20% more likely than men to rate DEI efforts as very important. Women also showed stronger preference for hybrid and remote flexibility, suggesting these work arrangements may serve equity goals beyond pure convenience.
Students aren't looking for performative statements. The survey suggests graduates expect active, demonstrated commitment to DEI rather than surface-level messaging.
Our Analysis
For tech employers hiring Android developers or other roles, these preferences should reshape recruitment strategies. The days of demanding five-day office presence for entry-level roles are numbered if companies want to access top talent.
Hybrid options aren't just nice-to-haves anymore—they're competitive necessities. Companies offering only fully in-person roles are automatically narrowing their candidate pool by roughly three-quarters.
DEI commitments matter to this generation in ways that affect actual application behavior. If your company has weak diversity numbers or hasn't addressed systemic issues, graduates notice—and they have other options. This isn't idealism; it's competitive dynamics.
The gender flexibility finding is significant. If women disproportionately value remote and hybrid options, inflexible policies may inadvertently filter out female candidates at higher rates. That's a self-defeating outcome for companies serious about building diverse teams.
Why This Matters for Tech Hiring
Say you run an Android development team hiring new grads. Your offer letter requires full-time in-office presence. CodeSignal's data suggests roughly 77% of your applicant pool actively preferred some remote work. You can still hire people willing to accept fully in-person terms, but you're narrowing your funnel considerably—and potentially filtering out the candidates with the most options.
Companies that lead on flexible work arrangements and genuine DEI commitments will have recruiting advantages as this generation moves into senior roles. Lagging behind means playing catch-up later.
What to Watch Next
Expect hybrid to become standard rather than exceptional for tech roles over the next five years. Companies still clinging to full in-person mandates will face increasing difficulty attracting younger workers. Watch for major tech employers to announce expanded flexibility as competitive pressure mounts—and for candidates to increasingly vote with their applications.
Key takeaways
- 77% of surveyed students preferred some form of remote work over fully in-person
- DEI commitments factor into decisions for nearly all respondents
- Women show stronger preference for flexible arrangements, with equity implications
- Companies offering only in-person roles will face recruiting disadvantages
- Active DEI commitment matters more than messaging to this generation
Frequently asked questions
How were these survey results collected?
CodeSignal surveyed over 1,000 US college students in fall 2022, with responses analyzed across various demographic segments.
Do computer science majors differ from other students?
Yes—CS majors showed slightly stronger preference for hybrid work (51% vs 47% overall) and were more likely to prioritize DEI in employment decisions.
Is fully in-person work dead for tech roles?
Not entirely—23% of surveyed students preferred fully in-person arrangements. However, this represents a minority, and those preferences may shift as flexible options become more common.
How should companies respond to the DEI preferences?
Students expect active, demonstrated commitment rather than surface statements. Abstract pronouncements won't attract candidates who prioritize these issues.
Are these preferences realistic given market conditions?
In competitive hiring markets, employer preferences must align with candidate expectations. Companies unable to offer flexibility may face longer search times or limited candidate pools.