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

#11

Post by Tagbert »

chwind wrote: post #10
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.

Nor does it specifically indicate heterosexual :)

... but the tone is a better match for a young straight man.

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

#12

Post by chwind »

Tagbert wrote: post #11
chwind wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Nor does it specifically indicate heterosexual :) ... but the tone is a better match for a young straight man.

A gay guy can still "know about women" (a phrase which to me is a dog whistle anyway). And the assumption based on tone is what I was trying to point out.

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

#13

Post by valuearb »

nieksand wrote: post #2

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…

You don’t need a CS degree to become a professional developer.

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

#15

Post by chrisbennet »

chwind wrote: post #10
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.

I'm not going to down vote you, but my question (about women) was gender neutral and innocent.

BTW: My whole name is Christopher Bennet.

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

#16

Post by pharaohgeek »

Yes. Absolutely. While you may very well have long-term success without a degree, in a lot of industries a lack of a degree limits your upward mobility. I work with some very talented and experienced individuals who are self-taught. They are paid very well and are well-respected. However, they've also reached the upper bounds of their career. I also work with people who may be slightly less knowledgeable about the specifics when compared to those self-taught individuals, but they are the ones who get promoted and have no limit to their career potential. Why? They have a college degree, often a Master's. It has very little to do with coding experience. In most cases it has to do with everything ELSE that you learn in college. Problem solving in areas you may not be familiar with; "learning how to learn"; understanding different viewpoints or unrelated subject matter. College helps you to become a more well-rounded individual and, more importantly, a better LEARNER. All the people I hear saying that college is a waste of money and useless are missing the point and are limiting themselves.

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

#17

Post by codingdave »

Being able to code is a bit of a funny goal, because it doesn't actually make you good at either software development, or academic CS. While coding is certainly required to be a professional software dev, it is just one aspect of a far more complex industry. Likewise, it is just one aspect of academic CS.

So the answer of whether you should continue is completely dependent on your goals. You certainly could step out into industry, learn the rest, and be successful. Or stick with school, and in 2 years have a wider selection of options of where you can take your life.

During the last recession (2008), most devs I knew found a place they were happy staying in for a few years and rode it out. If it were me, I'd ride out your CS degree, and in 2 years when business starts to return to normal, you have an array of choices in front of you. Frankly, that is always the advice I give my own kids - if you are unsure what path to take, take the one that does not limit your options.

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

#18

Post by erjiang »

I went into college able to write software in multiple languages across multiple platforms. I also skipped a bunch of prereqs and got the other mandatory courses out of the way quickly.

But I learned a ton in my 4 years of CS classes, and would have kept learning a lot if I stayed for a couple extra years, I'm sure. I'll tell you that it was eye-opening to go from setting the curve in a mandatory class to struggling to keep up in a topics class.

It depends on what your school offers, but if you can cherry-pick quality classes for the remaining two years, I'd say it's worth it unless a time-sensitive career opportunity comes along (e.g. founding a company). Or do a second degree with your free time if you're not that interested in CS.

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

#19

Post by tyteen4a03 »

From a practical standpoint, having a degree will make moving abroad easier. For example, the EU Blue Card scheme in Germany (which I'm on) requires a degree related to my job. I'm sure other countries have simar rules as well since most immigration laws are still operating under this "degree = well-educated professional" mentality.

Also there's never an end to learrning in practically any subject, and that is especially true in the world of CS.

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

#20

Post by sethammons »

valuearb wrote: post #13
nieksand wrote: post #2

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…

You don’t need a CS degree to become a professional developer.

Of course it is not required. My reading of what was written was that it helps. I fully agree.
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