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Discussion on: Why I don't think a Degree is Necessary to Become A Developer.

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Jeremy Forsythe • Edited

I wrote my first piece of software in 1987 at the ripe old age of five. 32 years later, I'm a Senior Engineer / Cloud Architect and run a side business. I quit college and only had a single semester of debt. I wouldn't do anything differently.

If you have the inner drive, you can make it as a developer without a degree. No question.

There are a lot of good things to be said about school, but for $100k or more? You're likely not learning that much. The many years of self study are way more valuable than a four year degree.

Teach yourself. Practice. Write useful things. Learn about the business world, one of the many things you won't learn at school. Do side work. Contribute to open source. Do these things and you'll be ahead of most people who have a degree, in less time and with less debt.