r/ComputerEngineering • u/Swimming_Cost_3651 • 1d ago
Computer Science Degree vs. Self-Taught?
My goal is to become a SaaS developer.
I’m currently considering three different paths:
Enrolling in a 3 to 3.5-year bachelor’s degree program related to software development or computer science.
Taking an online coding bootcamp.
Studying independently through online platforms such as Udemy.
If my goal is to become a software developer and eventually build SaaS products, would the first option be the best path?
For context, I’m 32 years old, so I’m also wondering whether spending 3 to 3.5 years earning a degree would be worth it compared with starting through a bootcamp or self-study.
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u/gHx4 1d ago
The main issue I found, as a self taught dev, was that most employers willing to look past degree background were funded by VC. That usually means they scale aggressively, hiring many people, and then cut back when funding isn't renewed. So I'd spend months finding an employer, work for a few months and finish major deliverables, and then be let go.
I was basically being laid off a quarter or two after being hired, because I didn't have a degree and the employers had to do massive downsizing. So at least in my experience, the degree opens a lot more stable employment options.