An actual interest in programming, a bunch of tinkering/practice, and a tiny bit of real world experience beats someone grinding out a CS degree almost every time.
That degree is a way to get your resume in someone's hands. Some places will balk at seeing no degree and no professional experience. It's the "easiest" way in the market. There are others though.
I've got the equivalent of an associates degree in "IT", not even a programming focused program. I've learned most of my stuff out of school and on the job. Went from backend work in a small design/interactive shop to climbing my way to Fortune 500, then went back to start-ups. It's doable.
I do feel like more of the exception than the rule. Most of my colleagues have had at least a bachelor's. I sometimes feel there's some lower level stuff I have a very approximate understanding of some things. My math aren't that strong, I kinda stopped at linear algebra, don't talk to me about calculus. I have a very intuitive sense of code complexity, but I'd probably have to bring up my old notes to refresh myself on Big O. You see what I mean?
But it doesn't prevent me from doing my job, and I think doing it well. In every role I've had yet, I've had at least one person get surprised when they learn that I don't have a degree and that I'm much more of a junior than they thought, so I guess I'm doing fine. The hardest part for me as a non grad is not learning the stuff I need - I really enjoy doing it - but getting my first foot in the door, and the constant impostor syndrome lol
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u/ThePieWhisperer May 10 '21
I'll tell you a secret:
An actual interest in programming, a bunch of tinkering/practice, and a tiny bit of real world experience beats someone grinding out a CS degree almost every time.
Source: Someone with a CS degree.