The crux of being a successful software developer
is the same as in every career: hard work is what will determine your success.
With the myths and misconceptions however, many people begin doubting
themselves when it comes to a career in software. The claim that the software
industry demands that a programmer have a degree from a prestigious college or
be a math genius to be successful are not as true as you would think.
Need for a degree
“Computer science education cannot make anybody an expert
programmer any more than studying brushes and pigment can make somebody an
expert painter” says Eric Raymond, author of The New Hacker’s Dictionary.
A college degree will certainly help if you wish to pursue a
career in software
development. When recruiters compare resumes for potential candidates, a CS
degree will certainly set you apart. Although there’s a lot more that a
recruiter will see than just your qualification. The country where you went to
the college and the reputation of the college itself will be scrutinized. While
considering degrees, there also comes the question of the level of your degree
(graduate or masters) as well as certifications that you’ve achieved.
That being said, there is also an argument to be made for
treating software
development as a trade. A lawyer or a doctor is required to have undergone
formal education but the same does not hold true for a software developer. The
industry is filled with individuals who have either never had formal education
in programming or have dropped out because they received a good job
opportunity. The biggest social network is filled with such individuals as are
many other major companies. An uninitiated person will be surprised by the
number of self taught programmers working in major corporations around the
world.
There are plenty of websites that offer courses on
programming that you can take from the comfort of your home. In addition, there
also exist coding boot-camps that will certainly give you a leg up. The
increasing popularity of these alternatives should be enough of an indication
that you do not need a formal degree to make a career in software development.
That being said, no boot-camp or website will enable you to reach the potential
of a 20-year software veteran. They will provide you the initial step needed
for you to get into the industry and with hard work you can most certainly
build a successful career like the hundreds before you.
Source: Techworm
No comments:
Post a Comment