Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#1

Post by ycombonator » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 4:25 PM UTC

For example someone with limited programming knowledge ? https://www.udacity.com/course/c-plus-plus-nanodegree--nd213

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#2

Post by bsdnoob » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:07 PM UTC

Nope

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#3

Post by dominotw » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:10 PM UTC

I did a couple. No one cared about those.

Save your money if thats your motivation.

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#4

Post by mowingscooter » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:17 PM UTC

When I come across an applicant with a nanodegree, it almost sends a negative signal. If anything, do the course, leave it off your resume, and if you get an interview, you might impress your interviewer with all this unexpected technical knowledge.

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#5

Post by wodenokoto » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:25 PM UTC

I find it impressive when I see applicants that have completed online courses. It takes a lot of discipline to self study.

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#6

Post by syntaxing » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:30 PM UTC

I did the SDC nanodegree and I'm currently doing the deep learning nanodegree. Not sure if it helped me to get the interview but it helped me during the interview. But I mainly rely on my college degree (MSc in MechE) when I'm applying. However, I had no luck getting an interview for any SWE roles.

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#7

Post by drwl » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:30 PM UTC

You'll probably receive a biased sample from the HN crowd

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#8

Post by syntaxing » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:32 PM UTC

mowingscooter wrote: post #4

When I come across an applicant with a nanodegree, it almost sends a negative signal. If anything, do the course, leave it off your resume, and if you get an interview, you might impress your interviewer with all this unexpected technical knowledge.

I'm surprised that it sends an negative signal. Is there a reasoning for it? Does completing an online course signify unwanted behavior/personality? I feel like if you leave it off your resume, you probably wouldn't be able to land the interview to begin with.

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#9

Post by iimblack » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:32 PM UTC

mowingscooter wrote: post #4

When I come across an applicant with a nanodegree, it almost sends a negative signal. If anything, do the course, leave it off your resume, and if you get an interview, you might impress your interviewer with all this unexpected technical knowledge.

That's interesting. Is there a specific reason for why you view nanodegrees negatively?

Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?

#10

Post by theorique » Thu, Apr 25, 2019, 5:32 PM UTC

mowingscooter wrote: post #4

When I come across an applicant with a nanodegree, it almost sends a negative signal. If anything, do the course, leave it off your resume, and if you get an interview, you might impress your interviewer with all this unexpected technical knowledge.

almost sends a negative signal.

Could you expand on that? Is there some common feature of people who have completed nanodegree courses?