I'm returning to school after spending about five years in prison. I earned my high school diploma and have always wanted to pursue a career in computer science, especially programming. My main concern is whether an aggravated-assault or deadly-weapon felony could prevent me from enrolling in a computer science program, passing any required exams, receiving financial aid, or getting hired after graduation. I'm also considering speaking with an expungement attorney. Would trade school be a better starting point, or should I work toward a full degree? I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has dealt with a similar background while pursuing college or an IT career.
4 Answers
People with serious convictions do work in IT and software, including at large companies. A clean record since release, strong references, and a portfolio can make a real difference. Start building practical skills with programming courses and small projects while completing your education. Keep track of employers’ background-check policies, and answer application questions honestly rather than assuming every company handles convictions the same way.
Be realistic about restricted areas. Government positions requiring security clearances, law-enforcement systems, defense work, and some jobs handling highly sensitive information may be difficult or unavailable. That still leaves many possibilities, such as web development, application programming, testing, technical support, and private-sector infrastructure work. Requirements are not universal, so check each position instead of assuming the felony disqualifies you from the entire field.
It’s worth consulting an expungement or record-sealing attorney because eligibility depends heavily on your state, the exact charge, how the case ended, and your time since release. A workforce-reentry organization or college career office may also know about employers that consider applicants with convictions. Trade school can be a quicker route into support or networking jobs, but a computer science degree gives you more options if programming is your long-term goal.
A felony usually won’t prevent you from enrolling in a regular computer science program, although specific licensing, financial-aid, or housing rules can vary by state and school. The bigger issue is employment: some companies will reject applicants automatically, while others evaluate the age and circumstances of the conviction. Smaller businesses, contract work, and general software roles may offer more flexibility than government or heavily regulated positions. If you want the degree, don’t rule it out before you begin.
The rules about asking about convictions and using them in hiring decisions differ by location. A company may consider a conviction when it is relevant to the job, but that doesn’t mean every employer can automatically reject someone or that every background check has the same scope.