do employers care what university you went to for computer science

4

there are two universities that I am considering, because I done a BTEC I have no experience of exams for about 2 years. there is one course that is mostly coursework based and one at a Russell group university that is sort of 50:50 and would like does it matter where get your degree for computer science?

I am rubbish at exams that is why I am asking this question?

Reply 1

cnova

9

Read this.

Reply 2

ihavemooedtoday

17

Employers care much more about how good you are at what you do.

Most employers (and all employers worth working for) will take a competent person with no degree at all over a graduate from Cambridge who hates computing and did nothing except what's required to get the piece of paper.

I in fact do know quite a few people working as software developers without a relevant degree (and a few with no degree at all).

It's an almost-entirely skill-based industry.

Reply 3

iEatMuFFiNS

14

Original post by ihavemooedtoday

Employers care much more about how good you are at what you do.

Most employers (and all employers worth working for) will take a competent person with no degree at all over a graduate from Cambridge who hates computing and did nothing except what's required to get the piece of paper.

I in fact do know quite a few people working as software developers without a relevant degree (and a few with no degree at all).

It's an almost-entirely skill-based industry.

lulwut?

Reply 4

ihavemooedtoday

17

Original post by iEatMuFFiNS

lulwut?

That's only based on my ~3 years experience in the industry, as someone without a relevant degree, and having 3 job offers out of university, and having only applied to one of them. I am also often recruited by companies I interned at in the past.

I also have quite a few friends working at Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, without a relevant degree.

When you are a student it feels like school/university is everything. It's not. Employers don't care which university you are from or if you went to university at all.

They care about their money, the value you bring to the company, and how much it costs to hire you.

If you know more than the guy from Cambridge, and cost the same, why would they hire the guy from Cambridge?

Reply 5

aryaz2005

1

Thanks for that reply. But say I bring more value to the company than the guy in Cambridge how would I be able to prove that?

Reply 6

Baleroc

13

Original post by aryaz2005

Thanks for that reply. But say I bring more value to the company than the guy in Cambridge how would I be able to prove that?

1.

Year in industry. Having industrial experience of around 8+ months massively increases your value and worth to a company.

2.

Master's. You can stand out from the crowd by having a master's in your field to give you an edge over a graduate from Cambridge. This is especially great if you choose a specialism. That way, you can talk about what you offer over other candidates.

3.

Summer internships. Getting as many of these as possible during your time at university can be beneficial.

4.

Portfolio Showcase. If you are in a field like computer science, engineering, design, etc, build yourself a strong portfolio related to your field, which can have a big impact on your chances of success.

If you have any of these and a Cambridge candidate doesn't, you would add more value to the company.

It's always important to have something to talk about in a job. With each of these, you will be able to discuss either your experience, specialty, portfolio, skills, etc.

People really overestimate the value Cambridge university adds. Employers aren't looking for the next break-through academic that will revolutionise the industry. They are looking for someone with experience and skills who gets the job done and demonstrates passion. Cambridge's biggest strength is getting into academia and research. Unless you are interested in getting into academia, there are many other ways to add value to your employability than the name of a university.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 7

aryaz2005

1

Original post by Baleroc

1.

Year in industry. Having industrial experience of around 8+ months massively increases your value and worth to a company.

2.

Master's. You can stand out from the crowd by having a master's in your field to give you an edge over a graduate from Cambridge. This is especially great if you choose a specialism. That way, you can talk about what you offer over other candidates.

3.

Summer internships. Getting as many of these as possible during your time at university can be beneficial.

4.

Portfolio Showcase. If you are in a field like computer science, engineering, design, etc, build yourself a strong portfolio related to your field, which can have a big impact on your chances of success.

If you have any of these and a Cambridge candidate doesn't, you would add more value to the company.
It's always important to have something to talk about in a job. With each of these, you will be able to discuss either your experience, specialty, portfolio, skills, etc.
People really overestimate the value Cambridge university adds. Employers aren't looking for the next break-through academic that will revolutionise the industry. They are looking for someone with experience and skills who gets the job done and demonstrates passion. Cambridge's biggest strength is getting into academia and research. Unless you are interested in getting into academia, there are many other ways to add value to your employability than the name of a university.

A bit late but thanks so much, I couldn’t get into the uni I wanted but I’m gonna try to transfer to a better one and see how that goes. If it doesn’t work out you’ve given me motivation to strive at least

do employers care what university you went to for computer science

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