Consider getting a “DIY” degree online instead of a traditional CS major

news.ycombinator.com · 10,181 words · saved by 1 readers

If you are self-motivated and intelligent enough to learn the equivalent of a CS degree on your own, then the upper bound on your career trajectory is often significantly higher than "senior software engineer".

I think the biggest disadvantage of a DIY degree is that there's no one requiring you to take classes that don't interest you. Thing is, when I was studying, I was grossly incorrect about 1) which classes I would come to enjoy, and 2) which subjects I would actually use every day at work. There were lots of things I studied only because someone was making me, but that I found to be incredibly fascinating or useful once I had learned a little about them. That's the biggest thing I think someone would give up by not pursuing a traditional degree. These articles are essentially an instance of…

Consider getting a “DIY” degree online instead of a traditional CS major

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