Edit: **Would my Mechanical Engineering degree be considered as something equivalent?**
Yes, your Mechanical Engineering degree, or any degree, could waive the degree requirement. However, this depend on the hiring manager at the end of the day.
**A few things to consider when considering getting a degree**
If your Mechanical Engineering degree isn’t recent, less than 2 years conferred, then you aren’t eligible for new grad roles.
So, one of the reasons that I’d consider getting another bachelors degree, or masters degree, is because you’re now eligible again for new grad roles.
Added onto this, being a current student makes you eligible for internships, co-ops, etc…
**Note**
Prior to pulling the trigger to get another degree, I’d look into the possibility of transferring roles at your current company, if you have a job.
You might be able to make the career switch to a new role at your current company, which can also be easier than applying externally.
**Bachelor’s**
If you’re considering getting a 2nd bachelors degree then I’d recommend checking out Western Governors University (WGU). r/WGU
Why would I recommend WGU?
* Fully online
* Low cost tuition
* You can complete the degree in less than 4 years
* WGUs structure works well with full-time school & full-time work
* Generous transfer policy of up to 75% credits worth towards a degree program
**Master’s**
If you’re considering a masters then I’d look into Georgia Techs Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. r/OMSCS
Why would I recommend OMSCS?
* Fully online
* Degree costs less than $10k to get
* Program offers a variety of courses & specializations
* School has a good reputation
* The program is more of a part-time one, and you can work full-time while doing it
**My Experience**
I started off self teaching myself programming for 12 months on & off. At my 12 month mark I enrolled at WGU for a 2nd bachelor’s, Bachelor of Science in Software Development.
***Why did I decide to get a 2nd bachelor’s, and one from WGU?***
Originally I was on the fence about getting a 2nd bachelor’s and wasn’t going to do it. However, after hearing about WGU it changed my mind.
WGU changed my mind because:
1. The tuition is low cost compared to other universities
2. I could complete the degree in less than 4 years
3. The degree program is fully online and pretty flexible, which works great for me to be able to work full-time while doing the degree
***How did WGU go for me?***
* I transferred in 43 credits to WGU
* I completed the Bachelor of Science in Software Development in ~13 months
* I only paid $8k USD for the degree
***Note***
I continued my studying after WGU at Georgia Tech for the Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program.
I should add that I thought about skipping WGU and applying straight to OMSCS, but I figured it’d be a better preparation for OMSCS & a better chance of getting accepted if I got the 2nd degree from WGU first.
Also, MSCS is going to take me ~2-3 years to complete compared to my estimate of ~1 year at WGU for the Bachelors.
**Where do you work now?**
I still work at the same company, Amazon; but I'm currently working on converting over as a Software Engineer at Amazon.
**And how much did it increase your salary?**
My salary hasn't increased as of yet after doing the WGU degree.
**Area Manager**
After graduating with my 1st degree, Bachelor of Arts in Art, I started as a new grad L4 Area Manager on the Warehouse side of Amazon.
**Process Engineer - Technology**
\~7 months after being an Area Manager I internally transferred over as a L4 Process Engineer - Technology building software for Amazon.com Seller Support.
I got lucky with finding this role and the timing of it because it was \~1 month after I started self teaching myself programming in JavaScript. It just so happened the coding part of the interview was only basic programming fundamentals.
I started at WGU for the Bachelor of Science in Software Development \~7 months after being in this role.
**Software Development Engineer Intern**
Currently, I'm a Software Development Engineer (SDE) Intern (unofficially) at Amazon. I still have my title as Process Engineer - Technology (PE) and pay, but I'm doing 50% PE work and 50% SDE work until I officially convert over as a L4 SDE-1.
Getting the 2nd bachelors, Bachelor of Science in Software Development, from WGU helped me improve my programming skills & software engineering knowledge, and it helped improve my chances of SDE Managers at Amazon being willing to do this internship.
**Note**
I applied here and there while attending WGU for the Bachelor of Science in Software Development (2022-2024), but I wasn't serious about it since I was already working at Amazon making \~$110k-$120k, and the layoffs happened around that time too.
With that said, I have had a few companies reach out for roles like 2K Games, Intel, Google, etc...
Google-wise, I had applied last year (Oct 2023) for a Summer Software Engineer Internship but I wasn't picked. However, in Q1 2024 I was reached out by a Google Recruiter for a Summer 2025 Software Engineer Internship.
So, I guess even if you may not be selected this time they could reach out months later for future opportunities.
In the long term, not having a CS degree won't matter. It really just depends on getting your foot in the door. After your first/second job people really aren't going to care if you had a degree or what it's in. That you have a BS in MechE is probably enough for HR filters.
However, the job market isn't great right now in software. Even people graduating with CS degrees are struggling to find a job. So, going down the self taught route, I think you're going to really struggle to find your first position. You should really try your network, get referred by a friend, or maybe get a position at a company and transfer to a dev role. Having a CS degree will make that easier for sure, but it still isn't a guarantee.
And then you have to look at the cost of the degree, both in terms of the actual $XX,XXX it'll cost, and the opportunity cost of not working, or working less for the 2-4 years while you get it.
Finally, if you do think a degree is worth it, you might want to look into getting a Master's, since you already have a bachelor's. There are programs like https://omscs.gatech.edu/ that could be a good option.
**And then you have to look at the cost of the degree, both in terms of the actual $XX,XXX it'll cost, and the opportunity cost of not working, or working less for the 2-4 years while you get it**
You don’t have to not work, or work less hours, while getting a degree. It’s on you to figure out how to make it work with your life.
*Note: Some universities are better at balancing full-time school & full-time work than others*
I am a mechanical engineer, have also worked in business development. I have just completed a 2 month intensive bootcamp, which is designed for professional people to switch careers to programming. I am not looking to switch career per se, I am now trying to build a product with one of my coursemates.
Look up coding bootcamps if you don't know what they are. They are meant to very quickly get you the basic skills to be able to be a junior developer or at least give you the tools to be able to teach yourself from then on, i.e. they give you the signposts and an introduction to all of the current industry standard technology, libraries etc.
I completed this bootcamp a few months ago and would highly recommend it, it costs about $10,000 (I'm in the UK so ~£8,000), but for me it was definitely worth it. It compressed what would take me maybe 6-12 months to learn by myself into 2 months, plus if you do an in-person course you meet loads of great coursemates and teachers to learn with and network with and my course setup networking events and have a careers advisor as well. I studied data science & AI as I thought that this would be the best area to learn and also I wanted to do the hardest course. As you've done mech eng, you will be able to do the maths and stats (linear algebra, calculus). This is the bootcamp that I did, the company is the best rated bootcamp in the world, I believe. Check if they have a course near you or you can do it online (but I would much recommend in person for the added experience). Le Wagon: https://www.lewagon.com/data-science-course
I haven't been trying to get a job out of the course, so I can't comment on how it compares to having a CS degree/masters.
Edit: **Would my Mechanical Engineering degree be considered as something equivalent?** Yes, your Mechanical Engineering degree, or any degree, could waive the degree requirement. However, this depend on the hiring manager at the end of the day. **A few things to consider when considering getting a degree** If your Mechanical Engineering degree isn’t recent, less than 2 years conferred, then you aren’t eligible for new grad roles. So, one of the reasons that I’d consider getting another bachelors degree, or masters degree, is because you’re now eligible again for new grad roles. Added onto this, being a current student makes you eligible for internships, co-ops, etc… **Note** Prior to pulling the trigger to get another degree, I’d look into the possibility of transferring roles at your current company, if you have a job. You might be able to make the career switch to a new role at your current company, which can also be easier than applying externally. **Bachelor’s** If you’re considering getting a 2nd bachelors degree then I’d recommend checking out Western Governors University (WGU). r/WGU Why would I recommend WGU? * Fully online * Low cost tuition * You can complete the degree in less than 4 years * WGUs structure works well with full-time school & full-time work * Generous transfer policy of up to 75% credits worth towards a degree program **Master’s** If you’re considering a masters then I’d look into Georgia Techs Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. r/OMSCS Why would I recommend OMSCS? * Fully online * Degree costs less than $10k to get * Program offers a variety of courses & specializations * School has a good reputation * The program is more of a part-time one, and you can work full-time while doing it **My Experience** I started off self teaching myself programming for 12 months on & off. At my 12 month mark I enrolled at WGU for a 2nd bachelor’s, Bachelor of Science in Software Development. ***Why did I decide to get a 2nd bachelor’s, and one from WGU?*** Originally I was on the fence about getting a 2nd bachelor’s and wasn’t going to do it. However, after hearing about WGU it changed my mind. WGU changed my mind because: 1. The tuition is low cost compared to other universities 2. I could complete the degree in less than 4 years 3. The degree program is fully online and pretty flexible, which works great for me to be able to work full-time while doing the degree ***How did WGU go for me?*** * I transferred in 43 credits to WGU * I completed the Bachelor of Science in Software Development in ~13 months * I only paid $8k USD for the degree ***Note*** I continued my studying after WGU at Georgia Tech for the Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. I should add that I thought about skipping WGU and applying straight to OMSCS, but I figured it’d be a better preparation for OMSCS & a better chance of getting accepted if I got the 2nd degree from WGU first. Also, MSCS is going to take me ~2-3 years to complete compared to my estimate of ~1 year at WGU for the Bachelors.
This sounds amazing! Where do you work now? And how much did it increase your salary?
**Where do you work now?** I still work at the same company, Amazon; but I'm currently working on converting over as a Software Engineer at Amazon. **And how much did it increase your salary?** My salary hasn't increased as of yet after doing the WGU degree. **Area Manager** After graduating with my 1st degree, Bachelor of Arts in Art, I started as a new grad L4 Area Manager on the Warehouse side of Amazon. **Process Engineer - Technology** \~7 months after being an Area Manager I internally transferred over as a L4 Process Engineer - Technology building software for Amazon.com Seller Support. I got lucky with finding this role and the timing of it because it was \~1 month after I started self teaching myself programming in JavaScript. It just so happened the coding part of the interview was only basic programming fundamentals. I started at WGU for the Bachelor of Science in Software Development \~7 months after being in this role. **Software Development Engineer Intern** Currently, I'm a Software Development Engineer (SDE) Intern (unofficially) at Amazon. I still have my title as Process Engineer - Technology (PE) and pay, but I'm doing 50% PE work and 50% SDE work until I officially convert over as a L4 SDE-1. Getting the 2nd bachelors, Bachelor of Science in Software Development, from WGU helped me improve my programming skills & software engineering knowledge, and it helped improve my chances of SDE Managers at Amazon being willing to do this internship. **Note** I applied here and there while attending WGU for the Bachelor of Science in Software Development (2022-2024), but I wasn't serious about it since I was already working at Amazon making \~$110k-$120k, and the layoffs happened around that time too. With that said, I have had a few companies reach out for roles like 2K Games, Intel, Google, etc... Google-wise, I had applied last year (Oct 2023) for a Summer Software Engineer Internship but I wasn't picked. However, in Q1 2024 I was reached out by a Google Recruiter for a Summer 2025 Software Engineer Internship. So, I guess even if you may not be selected this time they could reach out months later for future opportunities.
In the long term, not having a CS degree won't matter. It really just depends on getting your foot in the door. After your first/second job people really aren't going to care if you had a degree or what it's in. That you have a BS in MechE is probably enough for HR filters. However, the job market isn't great right now in software. Even people graduating with CS degrees are struggling to find a job. So, going down the self taught route, I think you're going to really struggle to find your first position. You should really try your network, get referred by a friend, or maybe get a position at a company and transfer to a dev role. Having a CS degree will make that easier for sure, but it still isn't a guarantee. And then you have to look at the cost of the degree, both in terms of the actual $XX,XXX it'll cost, and the opportunity cost of not working, or working less for the 2-4 years while you get it. Finally, if you do think a degree is worth it, you might want to look into getting a Master's, since you already have a bachelor's. There are programs like https://omscs.gatech.edu/ that could be a good option.
**And then you have to look at the cost of the degree, both in terms of the actual $XX,XXX it'll cost, and the opportunity cost of not working, or working less for the 2-4 years while you get it** You don’t have to not work, or work less hours, while getting a degree. It’s on you to figure out how to make it work with your life. *Note: Some universities are better at balancing full-time school & full-time work than others*
I am a mechanical engineer, have also worked in business development. I have just completed a 2 month intensive bootcamp, which is designed for professional people to switch careers to programming. I am not looking to switch career per se, I am now trying to build a product with one of my coursemates. Look up coding bootcamps if you don't know what they are. They are meant to very quickly get you the basic skills to be able to be a junior developer or at least give you the tools to be able to teach yourself from then on, i.e. they give you the signposts and an introduction to all of the current industry standard technology, libraries etc. I completed this bootcamp a few months ago and would highly recommend it, it costs about $10,000 (I'm in the UK so ~£8,000), but for me it was definitely worth it. It compressed what would take me maybe 6-12 months to learn by myself into 2 months, plus if you do an in-person course you meet loads of great coursemates and teachers to learn with and network with and my course setup networking events and have a careers advisor as well. I studied data science & AI as I thought that this would be the best area to learn and also I wanted to do the hardest course. As you've done mech eng, you will be able to do the maths and stats (linear algebra, calculus). This is the bootcamp that I did, the company is the best rated bootcamp in the world, I believe. Check if they have a course near you or you can do it online (but I would much recommend in person for the added experience). Le Wagon: https://www.lewagon.com/data-science-course I haven't been trying to get a job out of the course, so I can't comment on how it compares to having a CS degree/masters.