I'm in my late 20s and have a long-standing interest in tech, but my career hasn't really aligned with that passion until now. I know this question gets asked a lot, but I wanted to centralize the answers for clarity. Is it realistic to find good technology jobs with just certifications? I'm currently working through a list of certs and I'm about a quarter of the way through. I don't have a college degree and would like to avoid going to college if possible. I've heard mixed feedback about bootcamps but am considering one if anyone can recommend a good one. I believe having a completion certificate could be beneficial, but is a college degree a major advantage in my situation? Any advice would be super helpful!
2 Answers
If your goal is to become a software engineer, investing time and money in certifications and bootcamps may not be the best path. A Computer Science degree is a much better option if you can swing it. Also, don’t forget to check out the FAQs and use the search function—there's a wealth of information already available.
I'm a software engineer with no certifications or degree, and I've been in the field for 25 years. Ideally, having a degree helps, but it's not a dealbreaker. I know many successful developers without one. As you gain experience, a degree becomes less important. However, if you're lacking a degree, you need something else to stand out, like a strong portfolio. If I had to choose between two candidates, I’d pick the one with an impressive portfolio without a degree over someone with a degree but a weak portfolio.
What makes a portfolio 'good' in 2025? I remember when simple tutorial projects were enough to get your first job, but that doesn’t seem to cut it now.
Does your team actually hire people without degrees or prior experience? That can vary a lot from one employer to another.