Can I Be A Programmer Without A CS Degree ?

^^

what else can you do in computing without a comp sci degree ?

because im really going off the idea of going to uni.

Reply 1

Linda

Im doing philosophy and will most likely end up as a programmer, so yeah you dont have to do a comp sci degree. However learning Boolean logic might help.

Reply 2

ThePants999

There's really no need for a Comp Sci degree to get into IT. A degree - not necessarily CS - would help with getting into big-name firms, but otherwise, look more at professional qualifications.

Reply 3

tommorris

chrisgill369

what else can you do in computing without a comp sci degree ?

because im really going off the idea of going to uni.

Depends what sort of programming you want to go in to. If it's web services and general application stuff, you could probably do so. You'll need strong A-levels in maths and so on, or a lot of good hacking experience.

The people recruiting for programming jobs are way more interested in Cool Stuff than degrees. If you've made applications, hacked stuff, contributed to open source projects and got good A-levels, I'd say go for it. If you want to do higher mathematical work, you'll probably need a degree in CS.

There is value in doing a CS degree - you'll have some time to learn current languages in what is a quite cheap environment to do so. Seriously, even with top-up fees and so on, it's a cheap way of learning.

If I had a choice between someone with a first in CS and someone who had built Cool Stuff (applications, cool toys, nerdy stuff etc.) and hasn't got a degree in CS but can still do the Cool Stuff, I'd probably go for the latter.

If you go on to any nerdy chatrooms, such as the one I hang out on to talk about emerging web technology, you'll find that reputation and doing Cool Stuff is important. Having a Bachelor's degree ain't. Of course, we're hackers, not corporate programmers. We fiddle about trying to do cool stuff (and in my case, not getting very far or very quickly), so take my advice with a dose of salts.

Oh, and another thing. In programming circles, nobody gives a **** about A-level ICT. It's a thoroughly useless qualification that tells me as much as a sheet of toilet paper does.

Reply 4

Cortez

well im doing A2 maths, cimputing and biology (**** knows why lol) and i need a BBC or ABD or any other 280 point combos and i dont think im gonna get it. I just cant motivate myself to revise or do any work and thats why im going off university.

I was looking on total jobs.com and theres programming jobs in the south west and they dnt state that you need a degree in computer science, but, they all say you need expreience :confused:

How do you get experience if you cant get a job without it :confused:

Reply 5

Alaric

chrisgill369

I was looking on total jobs.com and theres programming jobs in the south west and they dnt state that you need a degree in computer science, but, they all say you need expreience :confused:

How do you get experience if you cant get a job without it :confused:

That's the main benefit of getting a graduate job!

A.

Reply 6

ThePants999

Remember that the vast majority of jobs aren't advertised. Write to companies asking for a job. Those that have advertised saying "experience needed" have put themselves in that mindset and would probably reject applicants without experience; if you write to companies that aren't advertising, though, you may find one or two managers willing to give you a second thought because they hadn't considered the matter. And that's your chance to show you can do what Tom calls the Cool Stuff (Tom, you should copyright that :biggrin:

).

Of course, if you can't do the Cool Stuff, get learning.

Reply 7

tommorris

ThePants999

Of course, if you can't do the Cool Stuff, get learning.

I do the copyleft for a trademark in a very loose liberal General Public Licence kind of way (I do run Linux, and have a SourceForge account so...)

With regard to Cool Stuff though, it applies in many different fields of life. It basically means coming up with hot new ideas and having the drive to follow through and build it. Or in, say, writing, it's being able to write for loads of websites instead of thinking that one's English degree is going to get them a job. Gonzo do-it-yourself work experience, I suppose.

Reply 8

adz_smith

Hey there, i have researched total jobs.com. Some v. good starting salaries for junior graduate programmers. I am off to do a CS degree in october, just want to do it because cant be assed to do any other degree. My mates sis does CS at Manchester and before she went she didnt even no how to use a computer! So you get to learn all your skills there, which i guess counts as experience?

Reply 9

AT82

It dosn't really matter but real programmers usualy seem to be from science backgrounds unless they have completly retrained, however in the general IT industry people tend to be from all backgrounds. Most my lecturers have physics degrees but have worked as software engineers.

Reply 10

technik

computer science isnt the only course in the computing area.

i for one didnt even apply for computer science courses, but computer networks, software technology etc.