If you can afford either, think about your career goals. CS degrees take you farther up the corporate ladder and they are requirements for some companies. So for career advancement- making VP Engineering likely requires a CS degree. Another thing to think about. CS degrees require years of study, which leads to a deeper understanding and a lot more hours writing code. However, college is not cheap, nor does everyone have the ability to attend one.
Coding bootcamps, while much cheaper and faster, will help you learn how to code. However, the knowledge gained from a bootcamp will be far less than the knowledge of a computer science graduate. Bootcamps tend to focus on real world applications and modern technology. In order words, bootcamps are designed to help get you a job- computer science degrees are designed to help you learn computer science.
Coding Bootcamp Pros
Faster
Cheaper
Make real life applications
Learn interview algorithm
Learn interviewing techniques and get job search support
Learn the tech that’s getting used right now
Better return on investment- make more per hour with how much effort you put in
Coding Bootcamp Cons
Not a real degree
Ridiculous pace
Stigma attached to bootcamp graduate
Usually get paid less
Likely an amateur after graduating
CS Degree Pros
Deep knowledge of computer science
Years of practice. Literally years of training to code in preparation for a job.
CS degree is highly valuable in careers and market
Get paid more
Networking
CS Degree Cons
Expensive
Difficult
Learning outdated tech
Don’t build many ‘real world apps’
Takes a long time
Employer Views
All employers want employees to have technical knowledge and soft skills. Many employers will look for a candidate with a degree as well, although it doesn’t have to be a computer science degree. Data heavy positions such as analyst and data scientist may also look for math backgrounds. Bottom line, employers, recruiters, and HR departments like degrees.
Bootcamp graduates will have experience with practical and modern knowledge. Most importantly, bootcamps are designed to help build practical, personal projects. Some companies will value the ‘self-taught experience’ and drive that comes from coding bootcamps. These companies recognize the valuable soft skills many bootcamp grads have, while knowing that the bootcamp grads have enough technical knowledge to at least be an amateur coder.
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