Is a computer science degree worth it in 2022?
Considering the present world scenario, providing predictions on job security for decades to come requires some serious SUPERPOWERS of foresight, right? - Wrong!
I mean you don’t really need the mad skills of Doctor Strange and his ability to look into 14000605 possible futures to point out the one that will help you make HUGE sums of money as a computer scientist in it.
Because there’s a much simpler way … for which you have to look at the past of humanity and ask yourself; “What has really changed our lives in the previous 100 to 500 years?”?
We still eat or sleep or cook the same way as all those years before…
So, what has really changed is the technology because everything we do is now supported by technology, which has significantly improved the quality of our lives from how we travel, to the way we communicate, the advancement in healthcare, to the options available for our entertainment.
I mean just take my example, as I write this blog while dipping inside an infinity pool sipping my vodka martini(shaken but not stirred) at a 5-star resort in the Bahamas…?
…Just kidding I’m writing this sitting on a desk from the comfort of my home, I know it's not exactly as cool as the picture I painted above but you see the point I want to make is that technology has completely changed our lives…
…I don’t need pigeons or a mail service in order for 1000s of people to read my blog, all I need is to publish it on Google right from the comfort of my bums with the help of softwares on my laptop.
That’s right! because among all the areas of technology, software is king and they run our lives 24x7, from helping launch rockets into space to printing your bill at your favourite local restaurant.
Just see, all the biggest companies in the world are software companies - Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Google… The industrial giants of yesterday are not in the same league anymore.
And the next 100 years will belong to technology as well. From data science to machine learning, from medicine to biotechnology - Tech Will RULE!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations over the next 10 years. With as many as 531,200 job openings for tech positions in the coming decade. This is a much faster growth pace compared to the average pace for all occupations.
Computer science majors have a median pay of $122,840 per year. That’s more than double the median pay among all industries.
Now you may be wondering if a computer science degree is necessary with so many learn-it-yourself options available on the internet. A good question indeed.
So, let’s find out…
What are technical schools and their benefits?
First, let’s look at the technical school definition;
Technical schools(or bootcamps) are institutes that provide practical and specialised training in specific trades. Students are given hands-on training in dedicated technical disciplines, focused on helping them crack their job interviews, making them an ideal fit for those who want to change careers.
Because they award you with diplomas or certificates within a span of 6 months to 1 years, plus many other benefits that make them a popular choice over a degree college, especially for people who already work a full-time job, as they are;
So, if you were wondering whether big tech companies would hire you for computer science jobs without a degree, then the answer is YES!
In fact, Bootcampers work for some of the biggest tech giants like; Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, Google, Apple, etc.?
And so can you…
But if you are still wrestling over whether a coding bootcamp or college degree is right for you, here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide…
Coding Bootcamp vs Degree - Which is better?
As you can already guess, computer science degrees will likey give you a better understanding of the field of computer science because they span over a period of 4 years which may give you more confidence when faced with challenging tech problems.
However, many university graduates claim that most of their practical learning happened on the job, as college education happens in a closed environment and cannot replicate everyday real-world problems.
Where at bootcamps, you will have the advantage of prior work experience and the necessary soft skills which are super valuable to potential employers.
So, is college worth it?
Well the answer will be different depending on where you’re at in your life right now but here are a few things to consider…
There are multiple layers of difference related to the commitment of your resources
between a coding bootcamp and a college…
…which include, your time spent learning, your tuition fee and the opportunity cost.
As most bootcamps duration ranges from 6 to 8 months, adding to that a bootcamper takes another 4 months on average to land a job after completing the course.
So, considering this, while a college student is still in their first year, our average bootcamper has already set foot into the industry and by the time the college graduate gets their degree, the bootcamper has already spent 3 years working in the industry.
The entry-level job opportunities are lucrative for bootcamp and college graduates alike, with similar average salary packages of around $103,000/year
Also, the major selling point for bootcamps is their placement numbers, which they openly advertise to the public. Successful bootcamps boast over a 90% placement rate within a few months of completing their courses because they usually work on a revenue-sharing model, which means(as per the contract) they only get paid once their students land their first jobs.
Similar high-standard have helped DevXSchool in officially being recognised by the U.S. Govt. and our graduates land jobs at FAANG(Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google)
Moreover, here you can clearly see that 72% of employers think bootcamp graduates are just as prepared and likely to be high performers as candidates with computer science degrees, as found out by Indeed;
Bootcamps main goal is to transform their students into job-ready professionals within the short span of their courses. Which is ensured with the help of our in-demand, up-to-date and corporate-ready curriculums.?
You are taught a combination of programming languages which enable you to train by building practical applications like Facebook, Instagram, Shopify, and few important frameworks that get you used to working on large-scale projects.
In contrast, computer science degrees focus on a broader educational experience with specialisations in computer science and engineering. There’ll be more focus on topics such as algorithms, data structures, data management and hardware. So, in the end you will have a better understanding of computer systems but not a well-rounded portfolio as in the case of bootcamps.
See, as per our own data;?
Out of 100’s of students every year, 95% of our graduates come from non-tech backgrounds, already working full time jobs, who want to switch to a tech career, given the bright career scope due to higher pay, job security and remote work options.
So, the question you need to answer is do you have the resources to go back and spend another 4 years pursuing a computer science degree, which can cost you upto $40,000-70,000 per year?
In place of that we offer the ‘pay after placement’, among other flexible options(at 10X less fee), making our profits directly dependent on our students success, so there’s shared accountability between both the parties, something which is certainly missing in colleges.