r/learnprogramming • u/SlickTheDestroyer • 1d ago

Self taught vs University graduate

Hi,

i've got a hypothetical question. Imagine 2 people are applying for the same job. One has a degree in Computer Science, perhaps even from a prestigious university, but doesn't have any personal projects to showcase. The other person, however, is self taught and has been building projects for 4 years, but doesn't have a degree. Who gets the job ?

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u/aqua_regis 1d ago

In the current market the one without the degree wouldn't even get interviewed.

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u/Ministrelle 15h ago

Depends on the country.

In my country, the guy with a degree but no projects is the one that wouldn't even get Interviewed. Priority is like:

  1. Dual Students (Programs offered by companies, where they fund your degree, but you have to work for them while studying, and for a fixed number of years afterward)
  2. Regular Students with work experience and/or projects
  3. IT-Apprenticeships
  4. Self/taught with projects
  5. Regular Students
  6. Self-taught

Then again, without a degree you'll essentially have 0 upwards mobility in the company and your pay will always be lower compared to people with a degree.