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Where did you learn to code?

by scriptlancer
7 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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I'm about to graduate from an undergraduate degree in computer science from a well-known private university in the mid-Atlantic this December. I've really enjoyed my time at school, but as my time at this particular university draws to a close I can't help but wonder if my education is any better than what I would have gotten from any one of those free learn to code sites.

What's even more discouraging is that I've been told on multiple occasions in interviews that my degree isn't even all that important to hiring managers. Those looking to hire developers in industry are much more concerned about the ability to solve problems, persistence in the face of difficult problems and just being fun to work with.

Did I waste my time getting a degree?

I've seen a number of articles written by developers claiming that they are completely self-taught and are now making six figures annually selling code to clients online. I've received notifications for similar articles here on the Warrior Forum.

All this to ask, where did you all learn to code? Were you educated at a university or were you self-taught?

Do you see any advantages one way or another after being in industry for a time?

Looking forward to hearing from you all!
#code #learn
  • Profile picture of the author MuricanWriter
    Hiya Scriptlancer,

    The coding skills I've learned I've learned from reading books and studying on websites like codecademy. I wouldn't say that you wasted time getting a degree. I mean, I know a person who went to school to learn to code and she walked into a job making a decent amount of money. $60k+.

    I think whether you are self taught or learn in a classroom is entirely dependent on how you learn. There are people who thrive working with others in a classroom environment while some just want to be able to sit down at their desk in peace and quiet. You know?

    I've heard many employers say that they don't care whether or not coders have degrees. So...you know. I don't think you should feel bad because you have to learn some how. You know?

    Some of us can teach ourselves and others must be taught. There's nothing wrong with that.
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  • Profile picture of the author jpdsa
    I agree to that. You should not regret the time spent getting a degree, I had my base knowledge in a university but was not able to get a full experience and additional knowledge by experience and further self-study. Learning does not stop in school. You need to learn every day as technology improves and changes as days pass by.
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  • Profile picture of the author debite ful
    It does not really matter in the real world if someone has a degree or not. I am not putting you down finishing your studies. You should be proud and use it to your advantage since you had that discipline to finish your degree. Yet, you need to prove that you are someone reliable and can deliver. It takes passion and personality when you get to work. In a computer related course and industry, you need to be abreast of the latest technology - always.
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  • Profile picture of the author TopNetworks
    Myself i was never into computers and webdesign, I seen a clip on youtube once about coding and thought it looked cool, 2 years later after leaning more about computers did Certificate 4 in webdesign, finding i didnt have to turn up most of the time because everything they tried to teach me i learn from youtube...

    So after my little story simple answer is Youtube, and i still think its the best place.
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  • Profile picture of the author nbatioco
    Institution are your starting point and it is good when you already have atleast basic knowledge since you will learn a lot faster from free code school online. As long as you're willing to enhance your skills, you can always research free tutorials or enroll in paid online courses which they teach better and very comprehensible...

    At the end, it is how much you wanted learn, either you got it from a classroom or self taught. It is you afterall who knows if you are better or good in coding or bad (nayks)

    Don't get disappointed by obtaining your degree, if you wanted to be in a company you can use that as your ticket plus your knowledge in coding.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hiep Le
    Universities often don't tech you code, they teach you how to solve a problem.

    When joining a company and work for real project, you'll have a chance to learn code of your co-worker, the more experience will teach/train you....
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  • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
    I've learned coding from YouTube, UDemy.com courses, and online tutorial sites with free how to guides.
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