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Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

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Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#1

Post by MathCodeLove »

I'm roughly 2 years into my CS degree, which basically means I've just completely all of the mandatory prerequisite courses. At this point, I can write software in multiple languages, across multiple platforms. I've taught myself everything I've needed to know about Software Engineering, and if it didn't feel so mandatory to get a job then I would drop out of school right now.

Fortunately, I do have a full scholarship, so I'm not going in debt. But I still dont know if this is even worth 2 more years of my time.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#2

Post by nieksand »

In the coming months, you are likely to face the ugliest labor market in living memory. A lack of degree and real world experience means you're looking at even more difficulties.

Given that you have a scholarship, you'd be unwise not to snag the credential.

Also, it does not need to be a waste of time. Don't do the bare minimums. Push yourself. Take the hardest relevant classes you can find. Dig deep into any topics that interest you.

Finally, focus very hard on getting internships. In a grim market, you will be needing both the resume entries and the job leads that those can provide.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#5

Post by thedevindevops »

If you really believe theres nothing more to be learned in those two years left then absolutely drop out but remember that everyone who didn't will have those extra two years and the qualification that proves they actually know what they're talking about. And you'll probably be working with those people.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#6

Post by gshdg »

A major global recession is the time when the opportunity cost of schooling is lowest.

Plus a with a lot of more experienced engineers suddenly out of work and on the job market, it’s going to be extremely difficult to find work at entry level just now. Not having a degree will only exacerbate that.

That said, in the long run getting the Bachelors will be more important than getting the CS degree specifically. If you want to get a CS minor while majoring in something else, it may be worth considering.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#7

Post by a-saleh »

a) double-check if there is something that would require you having a degree. I.e. you probably don't want to pursue PHD, but visa-requrements have degree

b) doublecheck if you want to pursue something that requires to be student, i.e. internship, scholarship, e.t.c. I started working for a company as an intern during my studies and after a while it was reasonably easy to upgrade to part-time employment and later on full-time employment.

c) I don't know what are your costs. I am from europe, so I studied for free. If you are taking on more and more debt, your cost-benefit analisys might be different.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#8

Post by rasengan »

Coding and the concepts taught in a CS course aren’t necessarily the same. I think you should choose education if you have a wish to learn what CS courses teach including but not limited to:

- Algorithm optimization

- Logic Gates

- Cryptography

- Compilers

- Assembly

Further studies are available to those who exist in school programs if you wish to get a higher level degree and do the research associated with it.

That said, I don’t think you necessarily need this to code.

Lastly, if it’s about a job, a degree will most certainly help you get thru a blind first filter. However, it is definitely possible to show your work and experience without as well thru open source contributions and the like — so this really is a choice you’ll have to make.

If it was me with these options, I would go to school for free with the scholarship and work on open source projects simultaneously.

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#9

Post by chrisbennet »

"I've taught myself everything I've needed to know about Software Engineering"

I respectfully suggest that you haven't (taught yourself everything you need to know). Not a criticism, we all thought we knew everything at that age, LOL.

Besides the credential, the value of college is that you "forces you to eat your vegetables". By that I mean you will learn about things that you aren't really interested in (at the time at least) or aren't as interesting as something else, but will be valuable later.

BTW: In case you also know everything you need to know about women, you can email me your wisdom. At 58, I still haven't figured them out. :-)

Re: Ask HN: If I've already taught myself to code, should I still get my CS degree?

#10

Post by chwind »

chrisbennet wrote: post #9

" I've taught myself everything I've needed to know about Software Engineering " I respectfully suggest that you haven't (taught yourself everything you need to know). Not a criticism, we all thought we knew everything at that age, LOL. Besides the credential, the value of college is that you "forces you to eat your vegetables". By that I mean you will learn about things that you aren't really interested in (at the t…

Nothing in the above specifically indicates that the writer is a man.
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