Some Pros and Cons of a Computer Science Degree
Right, so you’re positive that you’d like to become a developer: you enjoy working on coding projects in your free time, you’re fascinated by new tech coming down the pipeline, and you’re certain that you’d like to devote your career to solving interesting engineering problems. Not only that, but you realize that the job market is on fire and you know that the outlook for the foreseeable future is bright. The only problem is that you’re not sure if you’re willing to devote (at least) four years to studying for it, and the price of tuition is daunting, to say the least. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of becoming a software engineer through the more traditional route of a degree in computer science, shall we?
Pros:
Depth: Simply put, going for a CS degree at a traditional four-year university will allow the student to be more methodical in their approach to the field. Entry-level classes are taken at a younger age and allow one to mature alongside their subject material at a sustainable pace. The slower pace of a traditional university makes it possible for the student to really mull over concepts and (hopefully) gain a thorough understanding of the theory behind foundational skills being taught
Breadth: While you study the topics and problems assigned by your course professors, they’ll inevitably serve as a spark of inspiration to investigate other approaches and theories to leverage as you work your way through your class texts. Since time is on your side, you’ll be able to thoroughly look into the why and how of any problem you may run into. Aside from that, you’ll also be required to complete your general education studies, which will expose you to subjects that will hopefully enrich your approach to your career.
Prestige: At the risk of sounding pretentious, a degree still means a lot in today’s job market. People will assert that employers just care about if you can do the work needed, but there is still a huge part of the market that gives the CS graduate complete preference over the competition. When a potential employer or recruiter sees that CS degree on your resume, it communicates that you have a thorough understanding of the fundamental theories and concepts of computing as well as the grit and determination to stick with a difficult major for the entirety of the four-year program.
Cons:
Cost: No matter how you slice it, college is expensive, and often preventatively so. If a student is indeed able to swing the cost of a four-year degree, it comes with a huge price tag which may ironically prevent the graduate from realizing the lifestyle they went to college for in the first place. Many experts also question the value of a Bachelor’s degree these days with the proliferation of higher education being made more accessible. In many fields a Bachelor’s may be seen as the lowest bar of entry with a Master’s or PhD now being required for a person to set themselves apart from the competition.
Time: Four years is a long time, and often a full-time student may feel like they are sitting in a state of arrested development as they devote the majority of their waking hours getting to class, sat in front of a computer screen cranking out assignments, or with their nose buried in a book. This often makes it impossible to hold down a job, which means that your time spent at school negates the possibility for real world experience to build on the theory you’re learning in class.
In summary, a CS degree’s advantages lean toward quality over quantity. You will be going about it at a slower clip, but there will be plenty of opportunity to dig deeper into the material at your own pace. This will come at a cost of one’s time and energy going exclusively into the course of study, especially if done on a full-time basis.
