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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Web developer type jobs, is a computer science degree needed?

51 replies

QuebecBagnet · 09/03/2022 10:39

DD’s boyfriend is in his first year of a computer science degree which he’s finding quite boring as he says he can already code, has taught himself lots of stuff before starting it. He’s also in the process of setting up his own business to do web site design/coding.

I think in an ideal world he’d have stayed doing the degree while seeing if he can get this company of his off the ground. I admire his ambition but also aware that a lot of companies might not succeed or be slow to take off.

His parents are getting divorced, his mum has moved in with a new bloke. His dad is selling the house and moving away (he lives at his dad’s at the minute and goes to the local uni). His dad has told him he needs to be totally financially independent in 12 months and won’t have anywhere to live and won’t get any money from his parents. They’re cutting him off. Because of his parent’s earnings he’s only entitled to the minimum student loan.

So he says he’ll leave his degree and get some sort of junior IT job, he’s adamant you don’t need a degree and it’s all about what you can actually do. But when we looked at some jobs on Indeed some said they needed a computer science degree. Others didn’t. So his plan is to get a junior job so he can support himself while hopefully his company takes off. If however his company doesn’t take off and he ends up working for others for ever will a lack of a degree hold him back?

I’m happy that he moves in here and I support him through the last 18 months of his degree and I’ve told him this. He says he doesn’t need a degree but I don’t know if he’s just being polite as he doesn’t want to be an imposition. I’m so angry with his parents that they’re putting him in this position.

OP posts:

poetryandwine · 09/03/2022 11:58

Hi, OP -

What a generous offer you are making. The situation sounds very frustrating. One can definitely succeed as a web developer or in related fields without a degree, and many do. The BF’s attitude - he is already good at one aspect of CS (maybe more) and finds others boring - is not uncommon amongst the self taught. These young people tend to be intelligent, to have great initiative and drive and good work ethics; employers recognise this! Overall I would not be worried about the lack of degree in this field, and I say that as someone who recently left a Sr Lecturer position in a STEM field at a very good uni.

But …. this may be the prejudice of my background showing: these bright, driven self starters aren’t getting the big picture that a good university education provides. IRL most of the jobs in CS specifying a degree in the requirements probably don’t require one, but some do. And I believe that big picture does inform our views in unexpected ways. I think anyone will be better at their specialism for knowing more.

One thing to consider us that if the BF himself is convinced he doesn’t need a degree he may not appreciate this point of view. Like I said, a common outlook particularly amongst young men.

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 09/03/2022 12:08

Thank you @poetryandwine it’s good to hear from someone in the field that it’s not a necessity. I was just worried him saying so was a bit of bravado or naivety. Totally agree he may not appreciate the viewpoint. Especially as he’s not enjoying the degree. It’s his decision at the end of the day and the offer is on the table for him a d I’ll make sure he knows it’s still there. Guess he could always take an interrupt from uni and leave the door open to go back after twelve months to see how it pans out.

OP posts:

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 09/03/2022 12:09

Also the uni he’s at will give him a certificate in computer science if he leaves after a year which is something.

OP posts:

Mabelface · 09/03/2022 12:14

My son started as an apprentice Web Dev at 16, and at 22 is now lead Web dev in his company.

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 09/03/2022 12:15

@Mabelface

My son started as an apprentice Web Dev at 16, and at 22 is now lead Web dev in his company.

Wow, thats Really good.

OP posts:

poetryandwine · 09/03/2022 13:00

The experience of @Mabelface’s son is not so unusual. People who can deliver results for their employers will succeed. (I have always thought the sector slightly brutal on start ups but I don’t know that much)

I am very glad to hear the BF can get a certificate after one year. That could be important. I also think that if he won’t be pursuing a degree now the best strategy would be to buckle down and do his very best work now to get the highest marks he can this term. Then petition to interrupt studies for a year. It couldn’t hurt to keep that door open while trying to make a go of his company. He is free to drop out afterwards

poetryandwine · 09/03/2022 13:03

Sorry, OP -

Upon rereading I see you had already suggested the interruption. I did not re- read that bit when returning to the thread just now. I obviously thought your idea a good one!

TizerorFizz · 09/03/2022 18:11

Why are his parents no longer helping out? Is it that he would need private accommodation instead of living at home so they would be paying out and not receiving his loan money? How unbelievably mean.

I think he should tell the university and see if they have a hardship fund. If he finds the course easy, maybe it wasn’t the right one either. Would an apprenticeship be an option to look at? Employment and study?

housemaus · 09/03/2022 18:32

I'd rarely advocate for a young person dropping out of uni but if he definitely wants to do web dev (as opposed to software or other types), you really don't need a degree.

A computer science degree is brilliant but a lot of them are very academic or theory-heavy, plus a lot of the stuff he'll learn won't necessarily be used in a web dev role - and frankly if he can already code proficiently he'd be best just taking some courses on any languages/skillsets he isn't as strong in and then building a decent portfolio/github profile and trying to do some freelance bits while applying like mad for junior roles - even if he doesn't get any, it'll give him good experience of the way developer roles are interviewed for, practice at coding questions etc.

Lots of junior roles specify relatively basic skillsets and aren't amazingly paid but once you're in, it's not too hard to progress.

If he's genuinely just savvy - i.e. he knows you definitely don't need a degree and confident in his ability - rather than being lazy then I think he's probably making quite a smart choice. Two more years in a degree he doesn't need, racking up more student debt, versus 2 years' junior web dev experience where he could be improving towards a promotion or new role... seems like a no-brainer to me!

MarchingFrogs · 09/03/2022 19:30

If he leaves at the end of the first year, he will still be eligible for funding for the entirety of a bachelors degree (under the formula 'length of current course, plus one year, minus previous years of study'), should he change his mind again about university at some point in the future. If a qualifying length of time has passed, he will also be counted as independent for student loans purposes.

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 09/03/2022 22:47

His parents are no longer helping out because they’re getting divorced. His mum has run off with another bloke. His parents seem obsessed about money and are now worried about having to halve their assets and both seem as tight as arseholes. 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

AgathaMystery · 09/03/2022 22:50

God they sound nice.

No you do not need a degree to be a web dev. Many jobs do require a degree though. It’s ridiculous, frustrating & tedious.

Once he has that degree no one can take it from him. However, he will likely do just fine without it.

ISeeTheLight · 09/03/2022 22:52

My DB is a developer. He started but never finished his BSc (tried chemistry, then physics - he's also severely dyslexic). He did a 1 year practical course in Java so he does have a certificate.

He's now 29 and very successful, earns heaps of money and works as a software/dev consultant.

I've worked as a product manager before as part of a tech team at a large marketing technology company and lots of the devs there didn't have degrees but were very good.
So no, unless he wants to work in eg financial services or some such a degree isn't necessary to get a decent web dev job.

ISeeTheLight · 09/03/2022 22:53

His parents sound awful.

superoz · 09/03/2022 22:55

If he is able to demonstrate his technical ability then he will be able to find a job. It is possible to get an entry level job and work your way up, and gain technical qualifications while working too.
The larger companies will however be looking for degree qualifications but smaller businesses and start ups will hire on skills and ability.

Whisktea · 09/03/2022 22:56

It depends what he ultimately wants out of a career really. Web development meh, lots of automation is on the way, we have software that is so easy to use and negates the need for the end user to know code or anything technical to create professional looking Web pages. There are more funded bootcamps and online courses than ever as well, unless he has a really strong portfolio the opportunities aren't the same as they were even a few years back. Money isn't everything, but if he is that way inclined absolutely stick to the degree.

Saffy321 · 09/03/2022 22:57

So as a software delivery manager - if I'm hiring then the people without degrees in software or engineering have to be extra special to stand out and not just in terms of their code / projects, if they have no degree and no on the job experience they really need to convince me e.g convince the hiring manager that they are eager and competent and can really bring something to the table and those that do are usually stars.

MrsPnut · 09/03/2022 22:59

My DH is a senior developer/ technical lead and his company only recruit graduates or leavers from the military that were in Dev roles (and then they find their degree).
I’d get him to stick with it, no matter how well he thinks he can code already there will always be something else he can learn and it opens so many doors later on.

ISeeTheLight · 09/03/2022 23:03

Web dev isn't just building websites though. DB is working on a project for a client - they do batteries for solar panels and charging systems for electric cars. He's basically working out the backend software, ie the algorithms and structures that decide when to store, how quickly to charge etc to get the most efficiency. That kind of thing won't be automated anytime soon.

Whisktea · 09/03/2022 23:06

@ISeeTheLight

It won't be something someone without a degree or any real world experience will be working on though or setting up their own business in!

ISeeTheLight · 09/03/2022 23:10

As I said above he doesn't have a degree. He worked his way up at a couple of startups.

parietal · 09/03/2022 23:10

among the 'older generation' of computing people, there are lots who are self-taught (myself and DH included) because there just wasn't much available and the tech changes so rapidly. So on-the-job skills can be worth as much as a degree.

but he does need to be able to demonstrate what he can do. When hiring people who claim to do computing / webdev, about 50% of them are simply bullshitting on their CVs and claiming to do more than they can.

he should have a GitHub and build some demo projects to show off his current skills and learn more skills.

if he does drop out of uni, there are lots of online courses like Coursera that provide short job-focused training in computing. A friend did one in machine learning (retraining after maternity leave) and now earns £££££ with a big company.

DrDreReturns · 09/03/2022 23:13

That's not web dev - the back end code has nothing to do with web pages.

Citabell · 09/03/2022 23:19

Yes he could leave and try and secure an entry level job (which is competitive) and spend years working his way up, but he'd be wild to leave the degree imo. If he's so competent in code already (hmmm) then the content shouldn't be an issue and he could focus on working part time to help with finances.

TheSmallAssassin · 09/03/2022 23:21

My latest junior dev is a young career changer who taught himself to code, then freelanced. I didn't interview him, but it was his enthusiasm and his tenacity that got him the job.

When I did my Computer Science degree (25 years ago), one of my friends got a summer tech job after our first year and never came back to the course, as he did so well and didn't see the point in waiting another couple of years to start working.

So it is definitely possible, but you need the oomph to give yourself something extra, make sure you keep on reading and learning, learn professional skills like code reviewing, unit testing, user centred design, good communication, team work, empathy.

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