Should I go back to school to get CS degree? - Ask Preethi
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Date: 2022-03-14
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Comments and reviews: 10
Neeraj
I strongly dislike this video. At 3:58, she mentions that if others could do it, she could do it too. Preethi came from USC, a private school notable for its amazing alumni network and worked as an investment banker at GS. Others that she mentioned also had a fantastic network full of higher ups and went to large private ivy league schools. I would like to offer my perspective from a regular person born to a middle class family. I went to college and got my CS degree despite knowing enough programming to get a full-time job in high school, and am now working at a very large corporation. If I had not gone to college, there is no possible way I would be working as a software engineer. Recruiters would have ignored my resume if I did not have a college in degree on it. If you are a regular person like me with no major connections, going to college is the only way you can get a real, well-paying software engineering job before you hit 30.
Also, she went to Hack Reactor, which is a very selective boot camp with a 3% admit rate. Most people who get into good boot camps already have college degrees from good schools and already have prestigious careers. I dislike the idea that anyone who works hard can get into the software field - the truth is that if you don't have the right connections or the right qualifications (like a college degree or major work experience) then most recruiters will ignore your resume regardless of how great your github profile is. Please, go to college if you can, especially if you are a high school student. It is worth the investment.
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I strongly dislike this video. At 3:58, she mentions that if others could do it, she could do it too. Preethi came from USC, a private school notable for its amazing alumni network and worked as an investment banker at GS. Others that she mentioned also had a fantastic network full of higher ups and went to large private ivy league schools. I would like to offer my perspective from a regular person born to a middle class family. I went to college and got my CS degree despite knowing enough programming to get a full-time job in high school, and am now working at a very large corporation. If I had not gone to college, there is no possible way I would be working as a software engineer. Recruiters would have ignored my resume if I did not have a college in degree on it. If you are a regular person like me with no major connections, going to college is the only way you can get a real, well-paying software engineering job before you hit 30.
Also, she went to Hack Reactor, which is a very selective boot camp with a 3% admit rate. Most people who get into good boot camps already have college degrees from good schools and already have prestigious careers. I dislike the idea that anyone who works hard can get into the software field - the truth is that if you don't have the right connections or the right qualifications (like a college degree or major work experience) then most recruiters will ignore your resume regardless of how great your github profile is. Please, go to college if you can, especially if you are a high school student. It is worth the investment.
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andrew
As a recruiter I can say this complete BS, unless you are a super smart undergrad (probably from a wealthy family) that graduated in SF in to an analyst position at Goldman Sachs SF, worked in the (TMT) tech sector in SF, then did huge deals, can afford to live in the Bay, worked for VC's, has by default a large network of extremely connected wealthy people in SF, and then want to work on block chain which everyone (like GS) is pouring money in to, and in are in a ultra high demand field with proven skill, and then you had the $ to go to hardest Boot Camp in SF, (see her LinkedIn), then OK this is for you. If your'e at a normal school thinking you should drop out, and your network will end up just like hers making 250k plus per year, or you'll even get a job, you're probably delusional. Agreed, very highly misleading. At least have the decency to acknowledge you had a massive head start over almost anyone. I have worked with GS and they are extremely selective at who they hire and once they do, you're way ahead of everyone in the hiring lane. If you factor in the cost of living, all in it probably cost somewhere close to $500k to do this. I went to school with people just as confused as this one, saying anyone can do what she did when it's maybe 2%.
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As a recruiter I can say this complete BS, unless you are a super smart undergrad (probably from a wealthy family) that graduated in SF in to an analyst position at Goldman Sachs SF, worked in the (TMT) tech sector in SF, then did huge deals, can afford to live in the Bay, worked for VC's, has by default a large network of extremely connected wealthy people in SF, and then want to work on block chain which everyone (like GS) is pouring money in to, and in are in a ultra high demand field with proven skill, and then you had the $ to go to hardest Boot Camp in SF, (see her LinkedIn), then OK this is for you. If your'e at a normal school thinking you should drop out, and your network will end up just like hers making 250k plus per year, or you'll even get a job, you're probably delusional. Agreed, very highly misleading. At least have the decency to acknowledge you had a massive head start over almost anyone. I have worked with GS and they are extremely selective at who they hire and once they do, you're way ahead of everyone in the hiring lane. If you factor in the cost of living, all in it probably cost somewhere close to $500k to do this. I went to school with people just as confused as this one, saying anyone can do what she did when it's maybe 2%.
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beenay18
I did bachelors in civil engineering. Liked nothing about civil engineering. I worked as architect for my dad who owns some trucks and few excavators and is trying to run a construction company. But he has no idea about good architecture and bad architecture. All he wanted was meeting the formality in as cheap price as possible. And on top of that the government engineers are making it hard for the non-government engineers to do this job by delaying and giving problems in approval process and persuading the clients to give them the projects instead or pay high amount of bribe to approve the design and construction works. I can't get work any more. Now I am studying Msc. in structural engineering. But I don't think I can do this anymore. So I am thinking of switching my profession. I want to get into computer programming. Your insight was very helpful. Thank you very much.
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I did bachelors in civil engineering. Liked nothing about civil engineering. I worked as architect for my dad who owns some trucks and few excavators and is trying to run a construction company. But he has no idea about good architecture and bad architecture. All he wanted was meeting the formality in as cheap price as possible. And on top of that the government engineers are making it hard for the non-government engineers to do this job by delaying and giving problems in approval process and persuading the clients to give them the projects instead or pay high amount of bribe to approve the design and construction works. I can't get work any more. Now I am studying Msc. in structural engineering. But I don't think I can do this anymore. So I am thinking of switching my profession. I want to get into computer programming. Your insight was very helpful. Thank you very much.
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CantSeemToThink
That's very well put.
It If you have a chance (time/money/etc) go get a degree -it only helps.
But if you cannot afford to get a degree then be willing to put in passion and hard work and lots of time and nothing will stop you. Eventually you will have something real to show off and some knowledge to back up your skills during an interview. Be humble, honest and have something to support your claim that you are ready to work as a programmer.
Also don't forget that even a CS degree is just a start and you'll have to put in hard work to expand your knowledge, be competitive and stay relevant.
Bottom line IMHO is if you don't like it after a few months then just look for something else cause you won't have enough strength to do it for many years and it becomes really rewarding discipline after many years of hard work IMHO.
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That's very well put.
It If you have a chance (time/money/etc) go get a degree -it only helps.
But if you cannot afford to get a degree then be willing to put in passion and hard work and lots of time and nothing will stop you. Eventually you will have something real to show off and some knowledge to back up your skills during an interview. Be humble, honest and have something to support your claim that you are ready to work as a programmer.
Also don't forget that even a CS degree is just a start and you'll have to put in hard work to expand your knowledge, be competitive and stay relevant.
Bottom line IMHO is if you don't like it after a few months then just look for something else cause you won't have enough strength to do it for many years and it becomes really rewarding discipline after many years of hard work IMHO.
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ZelenaZmija
One thing that always seems omitted in these types of videos is the types of jobs you can potentially get being self taught or going the boot camp route. These people are all web developer arguably one of the easier types of developer jobs in the field. Nothing wrong with that but it does not give you the background to do some of the other more intense (and cooler in my opinion) stuff like algorithmic trading for a big bank or hedge fund, the software behind making rockets fly and land, how to get a self driving car to actually drive itself, operating systems, cyber security. Not saying you cant get those types of jobs by being self taught but it is almost impossibly harder going the self taught route for those fields then just say being a really good CS student and doing a Bachelors in 4 years or a BS-MS combo in 5 years.
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One thing that always seems omitted in these types of videos is the types of jobs you can potentially get being self taught or going the boot camp route. These people are all web developer arguably one of the easier types of developer jobs in the field. Nothing wrong with that but it does not give you the background to do some of the other more intense (and cooler in my opinion) stuff like algorithmic trading for a big bank or hedge fund, the software behind making rockets fly and land, how to get a self driving car to actually drive itself, operating systems, cyber security. Not saying you cant get those types of jobs by being self taught but it is almost impossibly harder going the self taught route for those fields then just say being a really good CS student and doing a Bachelors in 4 years or a BS-MS combo in 5 years.
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Tony
Engineering mindset is where it's at. I know some friends who were so entrepreneurial and pragmatic in their thinking until they got a job. Then they turned back into consumers. They probably aren't going to stay that way. I'm not condemning anyone to being lazier (not lazy) once they find a job. But the engineering mindset is very powerful, and the doors opened by STEM and math degrees are many many many! With ADHD, the main thing is that we do, we practice. When we see an opportunity we go after it. Look, money is an opportunity. I worked at so many fast food and min wage jobs. You shouldn't be worried about skipping college. You should really be advocating for you and your friends to skip the min-wage experience! Ha.
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Engineering mindset is where it's at. I know some friends who were so entrepreneurial and pragmatic in their thinking until they got a job. Then they turned back into consumers. They probably aren't going to stay that way. I'm not condemning anyone to being lazier (not lazy) once they find a job. But the engineering mindset is very powerful, and the doors opened by STEM and math degrees are many many many! With ADHD, the main thing is that we do, we practice. When we see an opportunity we go after it. Look, money is an opportunity. I worked at so many fast food and min wage jobs. You shouldn't be worried about skipping college. You should really be advocating for you and your friends to skip the min-wage experience! Ha.
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Drew
This video is a bit old, but unless you get into a top school for computer engineering don't waste your time. My local university only teaches in C++, which will not get you a job these days. Is it nice to know C++? Sure, but chances are college didn't make you fluent in it, thus the unproductive junior programmers. You can learn Python, SQL, C# on your own and you will be employable. The key is to make some apps or websites and create a portfolio. Companies want to see that you can do it, nobody cares about your degree, although they do look good on a resume. If you are not getting call backs, look at your resume, is it full of unrelated job experience, or your program languages and projects?
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This video is a bit old, but unless you get into a top school for computer engineering don't waste your time. My local university only teaches in C++, which will not get you a job these days. Is it nice to know C++? Sure, but chances are college didn't make you fluent in it, thus the unproductive junior programmers. You can learn Python, SQL, C# on your own and you will be employable. The key is to make some apps or websites and create a portfolio. Companies want to see that you can do it, nobody cares about your degree, although they do look good on a resume. If you are not getting call backs, look at your resume, is it full of unrelated job experience, or your program languages and projects?
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Three
1) I was a Dominos delivery driver for waaaaaay too long.
2) I taught myself code.
3) I did some cheap freelance work.
4) I built one really good interactive photography site for a photographer. I did this one for free.
5) Somebody in Silicon valley saw the site and flew me out for an interview.
6) I didn't get the job in Silicon valley and came back home crushed.
7) I blasted out tons of resumes.
8) I got my first job and never looked back.
You can do it!
- Side note: At interviews I never talked about my lack of education and not one person even asked. Nobody cared. They just looked at my work.
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1) I was a Dominos delivery driver for waaaaaay too long.
2) I taught myself code.
3) I did some cheap freelance work.
4) I built one really good interactive photography site for a photographer. I did this one for free.
5) Somebody in Silicon valley saw the site and flew me out for an interview.
6) I didn't get the job in Silicon valley and came back home crushed.
7) I blasted out tons of resumes.
8) I got my first job and never looked back.
You can do it!
- Side note: At interviews I never talked about my lack of education and not one person even asked. Nobody cared. They just looked at my work.
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ARUMALS
If you don't go to the college you will be tide to the same time of jobs positions for years.
If you don't go to the college you won't be able to work in other countries, because countries have laws and they require you to have a degree according your position to emigrate.
If you don't go to the college you will learn how to write code, but you won't have the engineer background profile, and you will always be in disadvantage when competing to a good job position.
You can skip the college if you want to start your own business, but not if you want to work for a company.
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If you don't go to the college you will be tide to the same time of jobs positions for years.
If you don't go to the college you won't be able to work in other countries, because countries have laws and they require you to have a degree according your position to emigrate.
If you don't go to the college you will learn how to write code, but you won't have the engineer background profile, and you will always be in disadvantage when competing to a good job position.
You can skip the college if you want to start your own business, but not if you want to work for a company.
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masoud
To be honest at first as i decided to watch this video i kind of new that i am wright about what i had in mind!!!
Surely every body can do anything if the spirit exist in that person... after many years of being distanced i finally have chance to come back in CS, I am a little confused of what major to choose right now but i m sure it will be solved soon and i will become what i believe...
Thank you for your very very good video
if you would liked i could use some advice about decision making...
reply
To be honest at first as i decided to watch this video i kind of new that i am wright about what i had in mind!!!
Surely every body can do anything if the spirit exist in that person... after many years of being distanced i finally have chance to come back in CS, I am a little confused of what major to choose right now but i m sure it will be solved soon and i will become what i believe...
Thank you for your very very good video
if you would liked i could use some advice about decision making...
reply
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