Bazz94
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The purpose of this post is to provide information to people who have thought about studying a BSc in Computing at Unisa with the intent to become a software developer. A few months ago I got a job as a Software Developer at a good company that pays well. I achieved this by getting a degree, creating a good software developer portfolio and having a friend refer me to the company.
I wanted to become a software developer but my parents did not have the funds to pay for me to do a CS Degree and my matric grades were average so I did not think that I would be able to get funding. The plan I came up with was to get a degree from Unisa and pay for it by working. Unisa is not the best place to study but luckily in this industry qualifications are not as important (if you can actually do the work). There are also many videos online to help you learn.
So I got a job as a salesperson and earned money for a year to pay for my first semester of tuition. I then enrolled in the BSc in Computing from Unisa and continued working. Unisa has poor communication so the best thing to do is do all that is possible to not have to communicate with them. This means following the correct path without making mistakes. They are fair in that if there is a problem that is their fault then they won't penalize you for it.
Doing 4 modules a semester is manageable while working and this will make the course take about 4 years (depending on how many modules you have to redo). It took me 4 years to finish my degree and then I took some time to create a software developer portfolio website with 3 projects on it. The portfolio is the part that shows a prospective employer that you can do the work.
I suggest 3 projects each with a frontend, backend, DB and decent auth system. If you get a call back many companies will give out a coding tests to see if you can do the work (irrespective of a degree). They usually consist of making a light full-stack project in a week.
While finishing my last project I applied for a remote contracting job. I got a callback and then did their coding test (a light full-stack website) and got the job. They paid poorly but I was happy to be gaining experience. Through all this, I stayed with my parents and did not have to pay for food or rent.
I worked there for 3 months then a friend of mine started at a new company and referred me. They said that I had a good portfolio and that studying and working showed good determination. I did their coding test and they said that my work was better than that of a university graduate (probably because of the experience I gained working on the portfolio) and that is where I now work.
I wanted to become a software developer but my parents did not have the funds to pay for me to do a CS Degree and my matric grades were average so I did not think that I would be able to get funding. The plan I came up with was to get a degree from Unisa and pay for it by working. Unisa is not the best place to study but luckily in this industry qualifications are not as important (if you can actually do the work). There are also many videos online to help you learn.
So I got a job as a salesperson and earned money for a year to pay for my first semester of tuition. I then enrolled in the BSc in Computing from Unisa and continued working. Unisa has poor communication so the best thing to do is do all that is possible to not have to communicate with them. This means following the correct path without making mistakes. They are fair in that if there is a problem that is their fault then they won't penalize you for it.
Doing 4 modules a semester is manageable while working and this will make the course take about 4 years (depending on how many modules you have to redo). It took me 4 years to finish my degree and then I took some time to create a software developer portfolio website with 3 projects on it. The portfolio is the part that shows a prospective employer that you can do the work.
I suggest 3 projects each with a frontend, backend, DB and decent auth system. If you get a call back many companies will give out a coding tests to see if you can do the work (irrespective of a degree). They usually consist of making a light full-stack project in a week.
While finishing my last project I applied for a remote contracting job. I got a callback and then did their coding test (a light full-stack website) and got the job. They paid poorly but I was happy to be gaining experience. Through all this, I stayed with my parents and did not have to pay for food or rent.
I worked there for 3 months then a friend of mine started at a new company and referred me. They said that I had a good portfolio and that studying and working showed good determination. I did their coding test and they said that my work was better than that of a university graduate (probably because of the experience I gained working on the portfolio) and that is where I now work.
