Was My Computer Science Degree Worth It?

I recently completed my computer science degree. Was it worth it? Would it be worth pursuing for you? Times are changing and there are many factors that go into the question of college education.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - I graduated!
0:38 - Two (of many) options
1:10 - Self taught before college
2:28 - My experience in the system
4:20 - Trying without a CS degree
6:15 - Getting the degree
8:00 - Comparison time!
10:14 - The future trends
11:26 - Final thoughts

Some of the sources (note that I looked up things I already heard, so it's confirmation bias):

#computerscience #softwareengineer #career

[DaFluffyPotato]

EDIT: The comments about a continuous academic decline are purely speculation (separate from the decline from covid, which is supported in the studies and anecdotally). We'll have to wait and see.

What are your thoughts on college degrees? Did you get one (and was it worth it)? Are you considering getting one?

Oddly enough, my most useful classes in terms of the actual subjects studied have been my math classes. I've used the electrical concepts from physics and various mathematical concepts that I wouldn't have bothered studying on my own. I really didn't get much out of my actual CS classes.

[jeanmakesgames]

I globally have a different path: drop school at 12 (because i was dirt poor, broken family and living in bad area where the school was just terrible), worked as a baker then chef, learn programming on the side (python, javascript, c#, and now godot) with any resources available, got back to university and got a degree (not related to programming), worked and get bored, then got serious about programming and started a youtube channel for making tutorial and small mobile game on the side, and making a living of it now (still with no education, but in my case i don't want to work for someone or for a company, i prefer be alone doing what i like). Thanks for sharing your journey! :)

[unclearyan]

My CS degree has provided me with numerous opportunities as an associate worker at my local McDonalds.

[Ndo]

I envy your ability to self-regulate your time.

[CloudlessStudio]

I got a software development job with an art degree. Aside from a Python class I took in my junior year, I learned everything else by myself. What really helped me was making my own games. I did almost everything, pygame, opengl with C, Unity, and now I work as an Unreal Developer. We do mostly simulations for underwater robots, and if I didn't have my coding knowledge from years of making games, I would have had no chance.

[mpmedia]

my cs degree allows you to pick from a slew of hard science courses. For example, you can take physics instead of biology or geology

[JD-vjgo]

As you get older and farther along in your career the degree will be worth it. There are so many tech jobs that you can't even apply for without CS or EE. There are promotions you won't be eligible for without a degree. As you age you're going to face a lot of discrimination. A lot of older developers I know ended up with the government or companies that mainly work with the government. Those jobs usually require a degree.

Unless you are some sort of genius that can just avoid the HR because everyone wants you or you get lucky with a hit game or app the degree is going to pay off.

[erictrinque]

Thanks for sharing kid. This is Very helpful, im 36 in Florida self learning for a career path change. Nice to see younger people with propper work ethic and drive to better themselves.

[ugib]

Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. Covid made me a lot less confident in my previous career, and I have been eyeballing CS for about half a year now. Know python pretty well, dabbled in some Rust and Java too. This confirmed some suspicions I had, and answered questions as well.

It is a dauntingly broad set of subjects that need to be learned, and then as you said. The looming threat of AGI. Keep grinding, and thank you once again for sharing your experience.

[rentonl]

I think ultimately my CS degree was worth it. It really helped me get my foot in the door when it came to my first job, and even though I didn't absorb everything during the time, it helped me build a good foundation. I always say there are three types of knowledge: "what you know", "what you don't know you don't know" and "what you know you don't know". Having a degree really can really help you round out that third type. My only regret is not trying harder and taking more in. I was pretty young at the time and I feel I didn't get the most out of the time period as I could have. My knack for self-learning didnt come until much later in life.

[theconstanttraveler]

"homeschooled my whole life"

AH.. thats why you were able to get things done at 12... most of us in public school spend so much time doing stupid busy work that by the time we finsih, we only have enough energy to veg out in front of a tv. def homeschooling my future kids.

[AngelicDirt]

As a final note, to anyone scanning comments, DO NOT do it just because your parents say so. If you're not ready, then you're not ready. On any degree or specialization. You don't owe then jack crap, and you'll feel better for it. Trust me.

[Chadderbox]

Interesting seeing the overlap here - I think the key is learning how to program and knowing how to work on stuff in your spare time (home-schooled or not). It does seem that even though a degree might not be financially worth it (even in the UK where student loans are much less serious), it is required if you wish to progress through the industry for now - you also passively take home some subtle skills that aren't often talked about while getting a degree (such as writing/communication).
Great video - I agree with everything you said that I have experience to relate to :)

[fenixright]

Appreciate hearing your journey, it’s pretty interesting. Definitely agree with the social aspect of university being a plus.

[SggyWtWtr]

I was homeschooled up until 8th grade then switched to a hybrid homeschool school thing. We’re changing to a college campus next year, and doing the dual-enrollment thing. So cool to know there’s people with similar interest and backgrounds, just on the other side of the country lol

[Skeffles]

Really interesting video! I love hearing your perspective on this.
First, congratulations on graduating. I hope you have a great career now.
Second, I've been working in the industry for about 7ish years now and I've worked with people with both degrees and not. Generally speaking everyone has the ability to pick up the skills but sometimes being able to talk about university projects have helped people I know gain a new role. Even when I recently interviewed, some companies were asking what grade I got at university (that being said I took that as a red flag for many of the companies)
I'm not sure where I'm going with this comment...Have a great day!

[mistadude]

This was pretty interesting to watch because I’m homeschooled and dual enrolled as well, I can 100% relate to your experience.

[willaxesawian]

I like how you could talk about entering the industry both through self-learning and via formal education, its a interesting perspective

[raydin]

I can't say too much about com sci but my degree was really useful in helping me network in my field. I really think that educators should put more emphasis on the importance of being able to network as being educated often doesn't cut it.

[SquirrelTheorist]

1:30 Those books are so nostalgic to me. Tutoring is a dream!