I'm 24 and have around 4 years of experience in IT. I started with deploying machines for hospitals and am currently working remotely in Tier 2 support with some light Identity and Access Management (IAM) duties. I'm considering attending WGU and am torn between pursuing a general IT degree or a Computer Science (CS) degree. My long-term goal is to transition into cloud computing or DevOps, as I have an interest in automation and infrastructure. I'm uncertain if an IT degree coupled with certifications would be sufficient for getting into DevOps, or if I'd come to regret not opting for a CS degree later. For those of you currently working in the cloud or DevOps fields, do you think an IT degree is adequate, or is a CS degree essential? Also, what skills should I focus on at this stage?
13 Answers
You need a mix of a CS degree and IT experience to really stand out in this field.
I started my DevOps journey without a CS or IT degree and have had great success! Make sure you have hands-on experience, as that's what truly matters. If you’re worried about the math, definitely consider IT as a quicker route to earning and getting into the field. Focus on mastering your technical skills and find ways to automate your tasks – that’s a huge part of DevOps.
Honestly, while I know this might not be what you want to hear, having both ops and dev experience is crucial for a DevOps role. DevOps isn’t really an entry-level position. It typically requires you to have a solid background as both an administrator and a developer, even if it's just some coding experience. So, I’d consider what kind of technical skills you want to build between now and when you transition into DevOps.
I agree with that. There’s always entry-level positions out there; you just have to keep pushing your skills on both the dev and ops sides to really grow into it.
I switched majors from CS to Information Technology, but I took programming classes along the way. I've been doing DevOps for 8 years now! An ops background is great, but don’t neglect your coding skills if you want to excel in this space.
If I were you, I would seriously consider a CS degree, especially for the long haul. More often than not, mastering the development side makes everything else in your future roles easier, so it’s worth the investment.
Honestly, I've been in the industry for over 20 years without a degree, and I think the key is just to learn the necessary patterns and flows in technology. If going for a degree gets you that knowledge, then it’s definitely worth it.
I went with a CS degree and it paid off for me! There’s a lot of debate about whether DevOps is an entry-level job, but I actually started in that field as an intern while still in college. Larger teams often have room for juniors to pick up easier tasks to learn. I recommend pairing a CS degree with classes in networking, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering. Save your money though – go to a solid state school unless you’re getting a full scholarship.
Does the IT degree cover software writing? That's where I'd draw the line between traditional sysadmins and modern DevOps roles where automation and coding become key components.
Honestly, no one really cares if you have a formal degree in this field anymore. You're already in IT, and getting a degree now won’t drastically change your opportunities. Just focus on gaining experience and skills beyond the classroom, which will serve you better in the long run.
Graduating quicker can translate to more earnings and less debt. IT is definitely an option, but you'll likely get better foundational knowledge with a CS degree. In my experience, going for the IT degree and loading up on programming classes is a smart move – that way you'll gain the necessary skills faster without the extra math stress.
I'd recommend getting a CS degree long-term. Remember, DevOps roles are often reserved for those with several years of experience, so be patient and keep learning in the meantime.
Thanks! I'm definitely keeping the long-term view in mind as I navigate this path.
I don’t have a degree, but many believe IT is sufficient. Choose the path that gets you to your goals quicker and is more affordable for you, like I did. I’m nearly at graduation level but much prefer to keep learning on the job instead!
An IT degree should be fine, but a CS degree might be preferred. Management Information Systems could also be a solid choice if you're not fully set on either. My perspective after working in DevOps for years is that a mix of both knowledge and experience is essential.
I get what you’re saying, but it’s not all about the degree. It really depends on how much you know about the field and where you focus your experience. I've seen plenty of people with IT degrees excelling at DevOps roles, sometimes even more than those with CS degrees.