Is it worth it to do a Computer Science Degree?

Is it worth it to do a Computer Science Degree?

  • Yes

    Votes: 75 76.5%

  • No

    Votes: 23 23.5%
  • Total voters
    98
rpm

rpm

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Is it worth it to do a computer science or related degree to land a job in IT?
 
Kinda of a strange question.
Not sure if you're asking whether the degree helps to get a job or whether the knowledge it provides is worth the money the degree costs etc.
 
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For Shizzle ma Nizzle

rpm said:
Is it worth it to do a computer science or related degree to land a job in IT?
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Having a CSIT degree behind your name shows that you are competent in this field and gives you better opportunities

Helped me land my job...
 
IT is such a broad term.

If you want to be a techie, no. If you want something more, yes.
 
Never needed one, wouldn't have minded doing one.

Not that I've had many interviews, but most companies interested in my employment haven't required a degree... or pretty much any formal proof of education.

saor said:
Kinda of a strange question.
Not sure if you're asking whether the degree helps to get a job or whether the knowledge it provides is worth the money the degree costs etc.
Click to expand...

RPM said:
Is it worth it to do a computer science or related degree to land a job in IT?
Click to expand...
 
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Yes and no. No if one specialises in a field like network(CCNA), programming(MCPD), etc and yes if you are looking into managerial positions
 
There are so many directions to go after a computer science degree. You could be earning R40k or R80k per month after 5 years depending on the skills you decide to fine tune.
 
personal opinion, a degree means very little and experience and willingness to go the extra mile means more.

anyone can get in if they work hard, and once you are in you can do anything you want, you can always say getting the paperwork behind your name is on your to do list...
 
Is it worth it to do a Comp Sci degree?
Is it worth it to do any degree?
Is it worth it to even study?
Is it worth it to have 3 meals a day?

You're getting really boring now mybb.
 
Makes no difference. Once you have some experience then the value of any degree is reduced to simply assisting in getting an interview.

The only value of a Comp Sci/Eng or whatever degree these days, is it makes it easier for you to join a grad program. After that you're on your own, same as everyone else...
 
I think it depends on the circumstance. In my position, I spent a small fortune from my own pocket and countless hours studying after work. All I have to show for all of that is a piece of paper in a nice frame, and possibly a few years taken off my life because of stress.

Hopefully it'll help when trying to go overseas though, that's really why I carried on.

Perhaps things would be different if I was able to study full time, and then start as a developer, instead of working my way up there while studying.
 
I'm happy where it got me in my career, but when I look back, a few guys I met landed in better IT jobs without it. Experience is everything. And who you know... for sure!
 
Broad question which cannot be answered by a yes-no answer.

Define IT
Specify specialization
Specify which industry
Specify career aspirations/goals and path (specialist vs management)
How much effort (read: sacrifice) would you be willing to put into your career?

Maybe the question should be defined to a specific career: is it worth it to do a computer science degree for job x?

But even answering these questions can be tricky and there are exceptions, e.g. I know of several IT Executives and even board members in top listed JSE companies that don't hold any IT-related degrees. How does a technical director that holds a CA(SA) and MBA land in such a position? What about a sought after security analyst that only holds a programming certificate and one or two other certifications? Hells bells, I know of a couple of business people that were seconded to a business analyst role on projects and are now project managers, change analysts or application owners; these are business orientated people that understand the aspects of the SDLC.

Maybe ask: what value does a computer science degree hold for job x?

(disclaimer: I have a computer science degree :whistling: )
 
Definitely worth it, especially if you pair it up with another subject for a double major.
 
For me, I'd say it was definitely worth it. I think the value-add, especially with the maths and logic related subjects, is that it teaches you how to think like a programmer. How to program (design and problem-solve) is more important than knowing how to code.

The other thing is, while I'm a great advocate of self-teaching, the advantage of studying is that it tends to cover the basics, because sometimes when you're self-learning, you don't know what you've skipped. I personally didn't study to get a job, there's a business I've opened that required me to be proficient at programming and solving programming-related problems. I went the self-taught route for years before studying and the difference in progress is incomparable.
 
sethmo said:
For me, I'd say it was definitely worth it. I think the value-add, especially with the maths and logic related subjects, is that it teaches you how to think like a programmer. How to program (design and problem-solve) is more important than knowing how to code.

The other thing is, while I'm a great advocate of self-teaching, the advantage of studying is that it tends to cover the basics, because sometimes when you're self-learning, you don't know what you've skipped. I personally didn't study to get a job, there's a business I've opened that required me to be proficient at programming and solving programming-related problems. I went the self-taught route for years before studying and the difference in progress is incomparable.
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Agreed - I've always maintained that the very purpose of a degree is to teach those topics/concepts that can't be picked up easily by reading a book, or on the job.
 
gives you an edge in the job market...but as a employer..it does not mean you are better....
 
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