Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled as a CS graduate?

Re:Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled ... by rubyfan on Thursday November 26, 2015 @02:57PM (#10634459)

In practice most programmers are business application developers and don't need the education a CS degree demands. If you really want CS degree skills then I'd assume you want a job in bio/pharma/physics, etc. and if that's the case just go get the degree. CS focuses heavily on math and algorithms, if you want those skills then learn discrete math, calculus, etc.

If you want to compete against Joe average programmer with a degree then just learn Java or .Net plus the latest greatest technology fad offering (think Hadoop, Node/Angular/React, Rails back in the day, etc). From there you should have no trouble finding a startup company or a small contracting outfit with ties to bigger consultants serving enterprise clients. If you're good then accept a right-to-hire situation and an enterprise IT shop will pick you up.

Don't sell yourself short and don't take shitty odd consulting jobs from small businesses because you feel inadequate due to lack of degree. Create demand for your skill and reap the rewards. At the end of the day you will likely be the only one who cares about the degree.

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Re:Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled ... by ratsimihah on Saturday November 28, 2015 @11:46AM (#10641525)

While most jobs don't require much CS, most interviews to get them do!

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Re:Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled ... by rubyfan on Sunday November 29, 2015 @11:54AM (#10645129)

Personally as a candidate and as a hiring manager I haven't found this to be the case.

I have a degree in business administration. My relevant work experience programming has always got me an interview using the tactics I outlined above.

If you have relevant work experience and a strong track record for delivering results then you will have no problem getting an interview regardless of your degree status.

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Re:Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled ... by ratsimihah on Sunday November 29, 2015 @11:31PM (#10647720)

Oh I wasn't referring to getting an interview. I meant that interviews for programming positions ar often CS-based, and it's passing them to get the job that require CS skills.

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Re:Ask HN: How does a self-taught programmer get as skilled ... by rifung on Saturday November 28, 2015 @02:37PM (#10642087)

Well at least they list them. I've applied to the ones that say its required and can still get interviews sometimes. At the very least it's worth a try

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