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+ 56

College degree vs self-learning.

Do I need a college degree in programming or is self-learning enough?

22nd Jan 2017, 2:08 PM
Danstan Ongubo
Danstan Ongubo - avatar
77 Answers
+ 116
Self learning is truly enough to get a job, but when you study in college you have chance to meet other programmers, take part in numerous events, gain experience, sometimes get to know things you didn't even know exists and when you feel like giving up (very common while learning programming) there is someone to help and motivate you
23rd Jan 2017, 9:54 AM
Wiola
Wiola - avatar
+ 43
I think self-learning comes with lots of flexibility. The fact that you can put aside a language that doesn't seem to work for you now and return later, handling what you can now, step by step or still learn more complex stuff when you're having fun unlike in college where everything is <pre> pre -pla nn ed </pre> for you. Sometimes the college order of college stuff isn't always right. With self-learning, you can speed up things yourself, slow down things or even pull aside a little. ☺ I personally enjoy this flexibility.
22nd Jan 2017, 3:07 PM
Danstan Ongubo
Danstan Ongubo - avatar
+ 27
Even though I am coding since I was 10 years old, I still went to university to study software engineering. Because when I started my own business and worked on larger projects, I found out I missed important parts of the design process. You can write programs in English, the programming language is just for describing your solution. You need to become good at creating optimal solutions for problems. There has been a lot of research in that field, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
23rd Jan 2017, 10:26 AM
Niels Koomen
Niels Koomen - avatar
+ 24
I study at university (college) and I use sololearn to study, its better than homework!
23rd Jan 2017, 11:16 AM
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas - avatar
+ 19
I am studying Business Administration and have strong passion for coding. I can spend a whole day on self studying about codes. I think passion is the most important whether you choose college or self study. However, I think self study is more interesting and motivating. Just imagine the taste of struggling with new knowledge and then actually create sthing all by yourself ( : *For the question about impression with employer, I think portfolio or experience speaks louder than certificates. You can get some programming short training courses so people can be sure u've got the basic knowledge. And degrees in other majors like commerce or management can contribute greatly. At least they show that you own other soft skills at workplace, not just a coding machine. My opinion :)
22nd Jan 2017, 5:04 PM
Nguyễn Ngọc Bảo Trân
Nguyễn Ngọc Bảo Trân - avatar
+ 13
Lately we see alot of employers wanting that "initiative" factor, which makes self study a pretty good route to take, nonetheless, both are good, if you want to code, go do it! :)
23rd Jan 2017, 12:12 PM
Andre van Rensburg
Andre van Rensburg - avatar
+ 12
self learning is the best but when you go for a job its good to have a degree because it leave a good impression on the person that you are eligible to work with/in my company.(sorry grammar mistake if it has some)
22nd Jan 2017, 3:47 PM
Mohammad Anas
Mohammad Anas - avatar
+ 11
There is competition in self learning. It depends how you do it. I think self learning done well offers almost everything you need. Open up, there are friends here and on platforms as these elsewhere. Personally, whenever i face a problem, there will be a 90% chance that someone has had it solved in the comments. If I don't understand, I ask and get help. Also following up on free/paid tutorials by professions across the internet breadth is so much. Talk of the challenges you complete here against other programmers to test your understanding. What else would you call competion? This whole thing is about how you do it. This is virtual. We are in a class and you don't need to physically see people around to know there are thousands of people ready to help or motivate you. Personally, I have tried to give up but when other people say they have undergone the same challenges as me, I simply gear forward!
23rd Jan 2017, 11:27 AM
Danstan Ongubo
Danstan Ongubo - avatar
+ 11
From what i know ( solo learn threads), it doesn't matter whether you are self learned or learned from college. But what it count's is if you have knowledge or dedication OR Not. So just keep practicing....
23rd Jan 2017, 1:49 PM
Ram chandra Giri
Ram chandra Giri - avatar
+ 11
Software engineering specially programming employers hire anyone that can do the job even if you are not holding a degree with approximately same amount of money because experience in programming and knowledge to rules and syntax is the most important and there is no much difference between one who has a degree or not. Having a degree is a plus but having diploma or course is recommended when applying for a job as certificate will tell employers that your ground for programming is well established. With some training and projects experience done before and you can compete with graduated students in big jobs and projects.
23rd Jan 2017, 3:58 PM
Mohamed Abdelkawy
Mohamed Abdelkawy - avatar
+ 10
And what if you have a degree but it's not related to programming? Can it still pass the "impression?" A degree in say, commerce? What impact will this have?
22nd Jan 2017, 4:18 PM
Danstan Ongubo
Danstan Ongubo - avatar
+ 10
I think if you wanna get a professinal Programmer, you should do it on a college. If not, then not. :)
23rd Jan 2017, 8:14 PM
devbyemil
devbyemil - avatar
+ 9
self learning is always better. it's free; and there is a hell of a lot more to learn. College and uni's just teach you from a book and ask you to type an assignment. Also, there is a lot more self learners out there that will help you, like us.
22nd Jan 2017, 2:42 PM
Johnny McCaffery
Johnny McCaffery - avatar
+ 9
I think that the self learning is the best method. Because you choice time when you want to learn. But if you haven't strength of will, collage is the best...
23rd Jan 2017, 11:06 AM
Ruslan Bayramov
Ruslan Bayramov - avatar
+ 9
You're more in control when self learning, in which I've preferred for years. You make an impression with a degree, but then again I'm a fan of Bill Gates who was a drop out, and Zuckerberg now look where they are - true, they did study but already had a programming background. I'm not saying don't do it as it's entirely up to you, but think about your long term prospects.
24th Jan 2017, 2:01 AM
Mark Foxx
Mark Foxx - avatar
+ 8
in the collage you could learn by your teachers, but always there are thing that you doesn't learn in collage. that's because self-learning is the best.
22nd Jan 2017, 2:41 PM
Jairo Reyes
Jairo Reyes - avatar
+ 8
There are certain things that self learning don't offer; the biggest one being coding style. Also, you have a very, very slim chance of making it into any big-name places (like Google, Apple, or Microsoft) without a college degree. Though, the market is wide-open and growing; there's no doubt that you'll land a job.
22nd Jan 2017, 4:06 PM
Keto Z
Keto Z - avatar
+ 8
How many college graduates in programming are out there self learning?
23rd Jan 2017, 10:29 AM
Danstan Ongubo
Danstan Ongubo - avatar
+ 8
College degree in programming is important in case you want to apply for a job,there are certain eligibility criteria that should be fullfilled by a candidate.But if you want to improve your skills then self learning is very effective when done along with competing in online contests.
23rd Jan 2017, 11:07 AM
Avinash Singh
Avinash Singh - avatar
+ 8
you need both, because self-lerning increase your programming experiences, and collage degree increase your knowledge about theory and approach of programming
23rd Jan 2017, 12:59 PM
Ramadany
Ramadany - avatar