You may have heard that you need a computer science degree if you wish to enter technology. Surely not, though...
At a state university, I teach web development classes.
I work full-time too as a developer. For a few web development courses each semester, I am adjunct—part-time—faculty.
You could have been trained to believe that a good career requires a college degree. You might have been drilled in these ideas by your parents or the society at large.
Though I do not believe a degree is the sole road to success, a degree CAN be the start of a great career.
I'll clarify...
Being a self-taught developer is quite OK.
Let me say once more: self-taught development is perfectly OK.
Resources abound now, more than they did in years past. You can succeed if you have the will to follow your own learning road and the concentration and discipline needed to map out it.
Actually, I think the developer community is quite friendly and many of them prefer sharing their expertise on websites as freeCodeCamp, Twitter, and Youtube. Every one of us learns by the teaching process.
Information You Should Know Should You Be Considering a CS Degree
Your main concentration should be on your intended career. If you go to a university, have a strategy and translate that into a degree plan.
Attending classes you are not interested in and incurring debt could waste money and time—which is much more valuable—if you are not focused on what you want to do. Your desired action is what Are you aware of?
I'm not asking what your parents believe you should do.
My parents persisted, hence I enrolled right out of high school in college. Lost, I ended up switching majors several times over 4 and a half years. I wanted to be a musician traveling with a band instead of a student. My parents needed to let me discover myself.
Self-discovery is valuable.
Likewise, I believe most cannot afford attending college to explore your hobbies and self via trial and error. Find folks you know who have either changed majors one or more times or were focused in their degree completion. Find out from them what they would do today differently.
My parents were horrified when I dropped out of college to pursue full-time musical career. In three months I realized I wanted to return to study. This time the situation was different. My choice was this one. I became better in my grades. I was suddenly driven to study.
Own path ownership has worth.
A conventional school could still not be appropriate for you if you are driven and know you want to be a software or web developer.
Are you disciplined and focused?
Along with a rigorous schedule, a traditional school offers you a road of learning. Some pupils need this responsibility to keep on target. Also some find remote learning more difficult than others.
It's basically about realizing what, as a student, supports your learning and success.
The developer in my oldest son works full-time. His first year of college he dropped out. The general education classes needed for a regular degree disgusted him. Self-taught, he concentrated on learning to code.
His knowledge and abilities have kept him always hired. He pursued that learning road as he knew what suited him best.
Will a degree open certain doors and influence job considerations? Absolutely.
Must one work in the field? Not at all.
What Should You Know Should You Be Changing Jobs?
My major was not computer science. When I was obtaining my graduate degree, there was no major in web development. Not while I was finishing a graduate degree, but rather after, I developed the talents I currently impart. I taught myself.
Having earned a higher degree and great expertise in the sector qualifies me to teach university courses. Every year I still keep learning. Currently doing a PhD in Information Systems, this helps me to realize a crucial point:
You have to be lifetime student.
The days of staying one job for your whole career are virtually gone. To stay up with the industry's speed, developers are often picking up fresh skills, particularly in computer science and web development.
The technology I teach did not exist when I graduated.
From my time on campus, I still carry with me the friendships I developed and the realization of a world view outside of my own tiny bubble.
As an instructor, these are the things I still find most valuable. Colleagues on opposite corners of the globe have befriended me. Students from all around the world who have pursued their own professions have come under my instruction. These days, I also appreciate their companionship and contacts.
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Evelyn Harper
You may have heard that you need a computer science degree if you wish to enter technology. Surely not, though...
At a state university, I teach web development classes.
I work full-time too as a developer. For a few web development courses each semester, I am adjunct—part-time—faculty.
You could have been trained to believe that a good career requires a college degree. You might have been drilled in these ideas by your parents or the society at large.
Though I do not believe a degree is the sole road to success, a degree CAN be the start of a great career.
I'll clarify...
Being a self-taught developer is quite OK.
Let me say once more: self-taught development is perfectly OK.
Resources abound now, more than they did in years past. You can succeed if you have the will to follow your own learning road and the concentration and discipline needed to map out it.
Actually, I think the developer community is quite friendly and many of them prefer sharing their expertise on websites as freeCodeCamp, Twitter, and Youtube. Every one of us learns by the teaching process.
Information You Should Know Should You Be Considering a CS Degree
Your main concentration should be on your intended career. If you go to a university, have a strategy and translate that into a degree plan.
Attending classes you are not interested in and incurring debt could waste money and time—which is much more valuable—if you are not focused on what you want to do. Your desired action is what Are you aware of?
I'm not asking what your parents believe you should do.
My parents persisted, hence I enrolled right out of high school in college. Lost, I ended up switching majors several times over 4 and a half years. I wanted to be a musician traveling with a band instead of a student. My parents needed to let me discover myself.
Self-discovery is valuable.
Likewise, I believe most cannot afford attending college to explore your hobbies and self via trial and error. Find folks you know who have either changed majors one or more times or were focused in their degree completion. Find out from them what they would do today differently.
My parents were horrified when I dropped out of college to pursue full-time musical career. In three months I realized I wanted to return to study. This time the situation was different. My choice was this one. I became better in my grades. I was suddenly driven to study.
Own path ownership has worth.
A conventional school could still not be appropriate for you if you are driven and know you want to be a software or web developer.
Are you disciplined and focused?
Along with a rigorous schedule, a traditional school offers you a road of learning. Some pupils need this responsibility to keep on target. Also some find remote learning more difficult than others.
It's basically about realizing what, as a student, supports your learning and success.
The developer in my oldest son works full-time. His first year of college he dropped out. The general education classes needed for a regular degree disgusted him. Self-taught, he concentrated on learning to code.
His knowledge and abilities have kept him always hired. He pursued that learning road as he knew what suited him best.
Will a degree open certain doors and influence job considerations? Absolutely.
Must one work in the field? Not at all.
What Should You Know Should You Be Changing Jobs?
My major was not computer science. When I was obtaining my graduate degree, there was no major in web development. Not while I was finishing a graduate degree, but rather after, I developed the talents I currently impart. I taught myself.
Having earned a higher degree and great expertise in the sector qualifies me to teach university courses. Every year I still keep learning. Currently doing a PhD in Information Systems, this helps me to realize a crucial point:
You have to be lifetime student.
The days of staying one job for your whole career are virtually gone. To stay up with the industry's speed, developers are often picking up fresh skills, particularly in computer science and web development.
The technology I teach did not exist when I graduated.
From my time on campus, I still carry with me the friendships I developed and the realization of a world view outside of my own tiny bubble.
As an instructor, these are the things I still find most valuable. Colleagues on opposite corners of the globe have befriended me. Students from all around the world who have pursued their own professions have come under my instruction. These days, I also appreciate their companionship and contacts.
You May Also Like
- Is studying computer science worth IT anymore?
- How hard is it to get a masters in computer science?
Read Also : What is the difference between a meteor and an asteroid and a comet?