Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd go as far as saying that most formal CS degrees are often useless. FOUR years, and new grads often still can't code. I've met some 3-4 year students in "Cybersecurity" programs that couldn't cogently explain the difference between private/public keys. Think about that.
Think about this: those same students could do a nanodegree since there are for requirements to signing up for one.
Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
61–68 of 68 posts
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
In a lot of companies you will NOT get hired without degree. It's pretty much the barrier to entry before you can show your skills or experience . Not sure if Udacity degrees count for this.
Why is this downvoted? The truth hurts?
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
Honestly? Make stuff. Get patches submitted to relevant open source projects. Make a small project that's actually finished (bonus if it's demo-able).
This is bad advice. No one has time to look at your open source patches and evaluate them. Several hiring managers have told me this.
The last time I was asked to screen and interview candidates I took the time to check out all portfolios, including github/gitlab/sourceforge profiles and projects.
In a few cases the candidate's portfolio work was decisive to greenlight and reject job apllicants.
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why is this downvoted? The truth hurts?
Because that's only true for graduate positions.
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#65“how would I work out whether the current market applicable to me would be willing to hire based on a nano degree?”
It’ll invoke fewer platitudes and generalisations from HN.
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#66Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
RSI? Well that’s a bit of an exception. I personally interpret it as a more enduring meritocratic signal than attending any specific college.
Yes, RSI! :) Though the ones who set "oh, you were at MIT" didn't know about this program.
* I think less than 1% of the high school students in this country (the US) are aware of summer programs such as RSI. Knowing about RSI, let alone being selected into it, is a strong signal that in your pre-college years you were very invested in math and STEM.
* even if you don't have a very prestigious college degree is not a negative signal anymore from my point of view. At 17-18 we are all very fragile beings (and we keep being fragile until at least 25), so lots of things could explain why you didn't get into a top university. I would inquire about that, but I would expect to hear some reasonable explanation (and I wouldn't mind if you simply told me it's personal and you don't feel comfortable going into those details).
* I would ask you if you participated in any math or CS competitions in high school/ college.
From here, lots of ways to have a pleasant chat for about 30 minutes.
Re: Ask HN: Do Udacity nanodegrees get anyone a job without academic background?
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, RSI! :) Though the ones who set "oh, you were at MIT" didn't know about this program.
If I see any resume with RSI on it, here's how I read it: * I think less than 1% of the high school students in this country (the US) are aware of summer programs such as RSI. Knowing about RSI, let alone being selected into it, is a strong signal that in your pre-college years you were very invested in math and STEM. * even if you don't have a very prestigious college degree is not a negative signal anymore from my…
When it comes to signals, I like your approach for looking at them as hints, rather than judgments.