Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer

#11

Post by informatimago » Fri, Sep 14, 2018, 8:33 AM UTC

I did university late, after programming professionnal and hobby experience, but it was in the 80s. IME, it was interesting, but not that useful. The problem is that for practical work, you don’t learn more than what you already learned working, and what you really learn, the theory, you just cannot apply it in practice in the university.

Nowadays however, there are a few domains, that could be worth learning in university and open doors for nice jobs, such as deep learning, or biology (DNA, artificial life, etc).

Re: Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer

#12

Post by krageon » Fri, Sep 14, 2018, 12:44 PM UTC

growthexecutive wrote: post #6

In my experience certificates like this are considered pretty useless by most software engineers. Anybody can do a certificate and have their hand held all the way through it. Real world experience in much more valued. Also software dev is both an applied skill and a fast developing field too in which not everybody agrees on the right way to do things, so its hard for universities to keep up with the changing times.…

You will get paid more with the right paper in a lot of companies, for equal experience (and even 5+ years more in some cases). The degree is important, and in the right company a certificate can be too.

Re: Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer

#13

Post by 1ba9115454 » Fri, Sep 14, 2018, 12:57 PM UTC

A lot of jobs ask for a degree. If you don't have one you don't get past HR.

So I would say it's a benefit, and if you enjoy the course then why not.

Re: Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer

#14

Post by bitshepherd » Fri, Sep 14, 2018, 4:35 PM UTC

kestrelhawk wrote: post #8

scarface74 wrote: post #2

If you already have experience, a degree doesn’t mean that much - at least in the US. Also, again in the US, most online degrees aren’t taken seriously by hiring managers. The best way to learn is by changing companies and learning from other people. You’ve taught yourself this much, stay on that road.

Coincidentally I was chatting to someone involved in HR who’s been involved in the tech industry since posting this and they mentioned the same; that they never primarily considered degrees during the hiring process. Thanks for confirming the same about the US as I plan to work and live there after a while.

Coincidentally, some of those same people who would say they don't primarily consider degrees will outright ask about education background when talking to a candidate.

The conversation will go generally positive. A month later of no contact/ghosting, and a form letter rejection pops out, with either the position being closed or "Unfortunately, we have decided to pursue other candidates whose background appears to match our needs more closely."

And that will be that.

Re: Ask HN: Returning to university as an experienced developer

#15

Post by scarface74 » Sat, Sep 15, 2018, 12:58 AM UTC

bitshepherd wrote: post #14

kestrelhawk wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Coincidentally I was chatting to someone involved in HR who’s been involved in the tech industry since posting this and they mentioned the same; that they never primarily considered degrees during the hiring process. Thanks for confirming the same about the US as I plan to work and live there after a while.

Coincidentally, some of those same people who would say they don't primarily consider degrees will outright ask about education background when talking to a candidate. The conversation will go generally positive. A month later of no contact/ghosting, and a form letter rejection pops out, with either the position being closed or "Unfortunately, we have decided to pursue other candidates whose background appears to mat…

I’ve been developing for 20+ years. I got my degree in the mid 90s. There is absolutely nothing I do today that my degree from a little state college in CS over 20 years ago helps with.

I’ve interviewed people for 15 of those years. None of the post interview discussions when we were deciding who to hire ever brought up there degree.

Well let me take that back, I know managers who would put people with degrees from Devry and online only schools at the bottom of the list and wouldn’t even consider them. Getting degrees from one of those schools were actually considered worse than no degree at all.

I don’t agree with that sentiment, but that’s the way of the world...