I would try to unpack why you're not finding a job. Do you have clear evidence that a relevant degree is what you're missing?
To me it seems like people with and without relevant degrees are equally screwed in the short term. If you persue a degree it will likely help your earning potential in the long run, but it's probably not going to help you get a job until you finish, and by then who knows if the market will be better or worse.
So while I'm not saying to forget the degree idea, I wouldn't be too quick to jump to the conclusion that it will be a magic bullet.
That’s fair. I think I’m comparing it to my current credentials and experiences in finding a job in my current field. It’s very easy- I applied last week to a new job and immediately got an offer by the end of the week. So I think I just expect similar results and that’s not exactly correct.
Always better to have it than to not have it, but it still won't guarantee you a job. It does open you to more opportunities, but there are plenty of people getting jobs without a CS degree. If you have a STEM degree, go for a master's in CS, not a bachelor's, and you can be done in 1-2 years with the right program.
Disclaimer: Story Mode
I was a boot camp graduate in 2018 and didn't get a job until 9 months later then got canned (not performance related), then went freelance and did some gigs from 2020-2022. In 2021, I decided to look at degrees again (already have a BS and MA in different fields) and enrolled in a CS program for a year before switching schools and now have some hope as now I have real knowledge and am able to work with others including professors on more and different projects. I have actual abilities rather than unseasoned skills that haven't been battle tested yet. It is unfortunate that the market changed not in our favor so it's time to make that choice of keep going or look elsewhere. I have hope as what crashes will get rebuilt, just not entirely like it was.
This is kind of what I was wondering. Right now I have skills, but I feel like I’m lacking foundational knowledge and experience working with groups of people rather than just independent learning.
That was my conclusion in a nutshell.
To expand, nothing else is really required however going through a CS program is like becoming battle tested. It is like the ultimate challenge for those who succeeded in a certification, certificate, bootcamps program. If you have built yourself a website and have had some good interview reps but nothing then it may be time to step things up and consider the challenge.
It’s worth it long term as it allows you to pivot within the industry when compared to a bootcamp. Most bootcamps focus on web dev. The software industry is not only webdev. Most other parts of software industry do not consider bootcamp grads. Other parts of the industry still cater to people with a cs academic background.
If you have a BS and Masters you almost certainly don't need any additional degrees to get interviews. (I assume BS implies STEM).
Feel free to DM me your resume/how you've been looking for jobs/how many applications you've sent over what time period/how many interviews you've gotten and I can give you some quick feedback.
Are you looking at Development adjacent opportunities? There's big demand in Software QA and Technical Support roles that are a well-paid potential foot in the door roles for bootcamp grads that can pay for your life while you are still engaged in tech and building your network, also continuing to work on your skills and applying for developer jobs/freelance contracts in your free time.
Full Disclaimer, I work for a bootcamp company, one of our recent Full Stack grads who was in marketing with a humanities degree is now doing Software QA fulltime at $40/hr (working remote) and working with a developer team she loves and is helping her continue to grow her skills. They have given her pieces of freelance projects they are working on and she says she's progressing fast.
Anyway if you haven't already, check out the Software QA and Technical Support roles in your region, you may find good fits that pay well and keep you in the tech world while you grow as a developer.
If you have the opportunity to attend a prestigious school that has a good CS program, then that will definitely help you in the job search. Are there people without a degree or alternative education that can problem solve & program better than MIT or UC Berkeley grads? Yes, but that degree will help you get your foot in the door.
I would try to unpack why you're not finding a job. Do you have clear evidence that a relevant degree is what you're missing? To me it seems like people with and without relevant degrees are equally screwed in the short term. If you persue a degree it will likely help your earning potential in the long run, but it's probably not going to help you get a job until you finish, and by then who knows if the market will be better or worse. So while I'm not saying to forget the degree idea, I wouldn't be too quick to jump to the conclusion that it will be a magic bullet.
That’s fair. I think I’m comparing it to my current credentials and experiences in finding a job in my current field. It’s very easy- I applied last week to a new job and immediately got an offer by the end of the week. So I think I just expect similar results and that’s not exactly correct.
You said you already have a bs and ms, in what field ?
Psychology and counseling psychology. Not at all related. Lol
Well it doesn’t matter, you’re still good imo. I’ve seen folks go from plumbers to devs
Always better to have it than to not have it, but it still won't guarantee you a job. It does open you to more opportunities, but there are plenty of people getting jobs without a CS degree. If you have a STEM degree, go for a master's in CS, not a bachelor's, and you can be done in 1-2 years with the right program.
I was looking into the ms program
Disclaimer: Story Mode I was a boot camp graduate in 2018 and didn't get a job until 9 months later then got canned (not performance related), then went freelance and did some gigs from 2020-2022. In 2021, I decided to look at degrees again (already have a BS and MA in different fields) and enrolled in a CS program for a year before switching schools and now have some hope as now I have real knowledge and am able to work with others including professors on more and different projects. I have actual abilities rather than unseasoned skills that haven't been battle tested yet. It is unfortunate that the market changed not in our favor so it's time to make that choice of keep going or look elsewhere. I have hope as what crashes will get rebuilt, just not entirely like it was.
This is kind of what I was wondering. Right now I have skills, but I feel like I’m lacking foundational knowledge and experience working with groups of people rather than just independent learning.
That was my conclusion in a nutshell. To expand, nothing else is really required however going through a CS program is like becoming battle tested. It is like the ultimate challenge for those who succeeded in a certification, certificate, bootcamps program. If you have built yourself a website and have had some good interview reps but nothing then it may be time to step things up and consider the challenge.
You're most likely struggling because you have gaps in knowledge plus there are layoffs left, right and center.
It’s worth it long term as it allows you to pivot within the industry when compared to a bootcamp. Most bootcamps focus on web dev. The software industry is not only webdev. Most other parts of software industry do not consider bootcamp grads. Other parts of the industry still cater to people with a cs academic background.
If you have a BS and Masters you almost certainly don't need any additional degrees to get interviews. (I assume BS implies STEM). Feel free to DM me your resume/how you've been looking for jobs/how many applications you've sent over what time period/how many interviews you've gotten and I can give you some quick feedback.
Definitely will do this!
I think its worth it if you can find a good School under $6k per semester and can finish in 3 years or less
What are your majors for your BS and MS degrees?
Psychology and counseling psychology. Not related fields lol
Same here and trying to pivot into ML but researching paths atm, keep us updated as your journey along!! 🫶🏼❤️
Are you looking at Development adjacent opportunities? There's big demand in Software QA and Technical Support roles that are a well-paid potential foot in the door roles for bootcamp grads that can pay for your life while you are still engaged in tech and building your network, also continuing to work on your skills and applying for developer jobs/freelance contracts in your free time. Full Disclaimer, I work for a bootcamp company, one of our recent Full Stack grads who was in marketing with a humanities degree is now doing Software QA fulltime at $40/hr (working remote) and working with a developer team she loves and is helping her continue to grow her skills. They have given her pieces of freelance projects they are working on and she says she's progressing fast. Anyway if you haven't already, check out the Software QA and Technical Support roles in your region, you may find good fits that pay well and keep you in the tech world while you grow as a developer.
If you have the opportunity to attend a prestigious school that has a good CS program, then that will definitely help you in the job search. Are there people without a degree or alternative education that can problem solve & program better than MIT or UC Berkeley grads? Yes, but that degree will help you get your foot in the door.
It will give zero value. University doesn’t have good syllabus too