How long do you need to go to collage for? What profession does it need to be in?
I love to code. #technology #tech #coding #code
5 answers
Brian Birch
Brian’s Answer
At minimum you want to get a BA/BS degree. The most important thing is to get experience while you are in college. Since you love to code, start coding and find opportunities to use your skills.
Dayton’s Answer
If you want to go into programming, you can get away without a degree, but I don't recommend it.
First, unless you're a very unusual person, you have interests outside of just programming, right? Well, that's what gen ed requirements are for. They're an opportunity to explore these other interests. Myself, I found my class in Abnormal Psychology to be one of the most fascinating things I've ever experienced. But maybe that's just me, and it's not you. No matter. If you want to learn German, you can. If you were always curious about really early human history, you can study that too.
You'll never have a better opportunity in life - at least, not until you retire - to pursue these interests. Don't underestimate how valuable this opportunity is.
Second, companies will use the fact that you don't have a degree as an excuse to pay you less. And even in programming, not having a degree will hurt you. I look at it like this:
Some people complain that school is full of studying a lot of boring irrelevant stuff that you'll never use. I always thought this was overblown. But more than that, I think that - to the extent that it IS true - this is a feature, not a bug.
Work is an unending series of irritating and tedious things. That's why it's called work. That's why you have to pay somebody to do it. One of the things that makes a degree valuable, is that it sends a signal to prospective employers: This is a person who is prepared to put up with irritating and tedious things as the price of getting things done.
(This is also why it's important to pick the right career. Every job has its unpleasantries; you want to find one that offers something in return that you do enjoy, because you'll be doing it for a long time. And yes, every job. Even professional football players, I'm sure, have their own annoyances (like mandatory physicals or drug tests) even though they're doing a job that's literally playing a game that they love.)
Nancy’s Answer
You mentioned you love to code. You can get a job in that field with anything from a certificate in a particular language to an associate's degree to a bachelor's or master's degree . Many start at community college with a major in computer science. The type and specialty areas for more advanced degrees grow from there: everything from technology and society to computer engineering.
Computingcareers.acm.org seems to be a helpful site for helping you investigate this area. Good luck.
Sandra’s Answer
Your questions is interesting. College is a place where you can discover who you are and what you want to do with the rest of your life. College will reveal your strengths and expose the areas that need more work. If you love to code, that's great! College is a place where you can do that and meet people that love to do that too.
After college your degree can let employers know how your skill level. A 2 year degree is good, a 4 year and beyond is better.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Embarking on a career as a professional coder doesn't necessarily require a conventional four-year college education. There are numerous successful coders who have honed their skills through self-study, coding bootcamps, online courses, and hands-on experience. The length of your learning journey will depend on the route you decide to take.
1. Self-Study: Some people master coding entirely independently, using online resources, books, and constant practice. This method offers the advantage of flexibility in terms of time commitment and learning speed. It may take a few months to several years to gain enough proficiency to secure a coding job.
2. Coding Bootcamps: These are intensive, short-duration programs aimed at imparting coding skills within a few weeks to months. They are structured to offer practical experience and skills that are immediately useful in the tech industry.
3. Traditional College Programs: While not always a prerequisite for a coding career, some people opt to pursue computer science or related degrees at conventional colleges or universities. These programs usually span four years for a bachelor’s degree, but the exact duration can differ based on the institution and the student’s course load.
In summary, a career in coding doesn't demand a specific time commitment to college education. The focus is on gaining the necessary skills and knowledge through various educational avenues that align with your learning preferences and career aspirations.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard University - Harvard provides online computer science and programming courses, offering invaluable resources for those keen on learning to code outside traditional college environments.
Codecademy - This online platform delivers interactive coding lessons and projects for beginners and advanced learners, making it a favored option for those wishing to cultivate coding skills independently.
Career Karma - This site offers information on coding bootcamps, career guidance, and resources for budding programmers exploring alternative routes to break into the tech industry.
These sources played a crucial role in shedding light on the various educational paths available for aspiring coders and the diverse options for gaining coding skills.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine.