I've completed 12th grade and am currently taking a drop year. I'm considering learning programming online through resources like freeCodeCamp and other courses. Is it better to enroll in college while learning coding on the side, or can I realistically build a career or launch a startup through self-study alone?
3 Answers
Take admission if you can, and study online alongside it. The degree acts as a credential, while sites such as freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, or Full Stack Open can provide more hands-on practice than many college courses. Since you’re taking a drop year, start learning now and see whether you genuinely enjoy programming before choosing a specialization.
Self-taught developers can absolutely succeed, but the path is more difficult, especially in a competitive job market. Without a degree, you may be competing against graduates and experienced developers, so you’ll need an impressive portfolio, strong projects, and evidence that you can solve real problems. College keeps more opportunities open even if you later decide to build a company.
If you’re fairly sure you want to work in software, college is usually the safer choice. A degree can help you pass hiring filters, while online learning builds the practical skills you’ll actually use. You can do both instead of treating them as completely separate options.
I’m mainly interested in building a startup, not necessarily getting a permanent IT job. Would self-study be enough for that?
I’m worried that a private college could waste time and money. Would focused self-study be better than attending a weak college?