Hey everyone! I could really use some honest feedback about my current situation. I'm studying programming and working towards two degrees: one from the Syrian Virtual University (SVU), which is officially recognized in parts of Europe, and the other from University of the People (UoPeople), just accredited in the U.S. Both are affordable and online, but I know they aren't top-ranked.
My main question is: if I build a solid portfolio and gain real-life experience through freelance work, internships, competitions, or open-source contributions, can this make up for the fact that my degrees aren't viewed as prestigious? Also, will these degrees combined with strong experience help me in finding international job opportunities or immigration in the tech industry? I'm open to working at small, medium, or large companies. I just want to know what's realistically achievable. Any advice from those in the industry or who hire developers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
As someone who's been in the hiring game, it really varies by company. Some will look at your degree, while others will focus more on your portfolio and projects. In the long run, after about five years, your work history will credit you more than where you got your degree. Just make sure you have a strong portfolio to show off at interviews!
Yeah, many people in software don’t even have degrees anymore. It can be tough since companies are becoming more selective, but if you can prove your skills, you're in a good position!
I recently made it to the final round of interviews for a software engineering position just based on my portfolio of side projects, even without a degree. It’s definitely possible if you have good projects to showcase!
Honestly, if you have hands-on experience, contributions to open-source projects, and a solid portfolio, most employers won’t care where you studied. They just want to see what you can do!
Thanks for the encouragement! I hope that experience can really make a difference!