Ask HN: Is it possible to get a tech job without a degree?

I dropped out of Uni after one year (this was about 10 years ago). The thing was, in the hobby/amateur game development circles I was well known. Had written a bunch of tutorials, a book (when they still used dead trees) and knew folks in various companies. This made getting job easier. Now, after 10 years of work history, no one gives a damn about my lack of degree. I've working in more industries than most, form junior to Technical Lead positions.

But if I was 18/19 today, no side projects, not very well known, it would be different. When I was more involved in recruiting, I never cared about the degree, but without one, and without a work history, what can you really show me that proves you can do the job?

You don't need to go to college, but if you have time and money, I'd say do it.

There is ample of evidence, that you don't need a degree to have a successful career, especially in the IT sector. Then again, what do you really need? I used to think like most comments here, where college (especially in the US) is a colllasal and expensive waste of time. And if you measure it in hard skills/knowledge learned, maybe it is.

Before I dropped out, I tried to get my BA/MA in four years by only taking CS classes. It was terrible, I didn't learn anything useful. Only after returning to college from our failed startup, I realized the great benefits from college: Exploring your interests, the social setting of college, running into people from all different backgrounds and opinions. It's a truly unique experience and IMO the competitive advantage of the American tertiary education.

I'm not saying people should do one or another or whether its worth it, but it does help to get in different perspectives from time to time.

Frankly, it's fun:

It's a good way to meet interesting people... and if I listen very carefully I'll find an unmet business need that I can help with a custom database or an app.