The Myth of Success: Why a First Class Computer Science Degree Isn’t Enough 🫤

Tired CS majors.

While the idea of graduating with a first-class, or any, degree in Computer Science or any other software-related field may seem enticing, its importance might be less significant than you originally assumed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for good grades, personally a first-class student myself 💅🏻 (academic rizz). However, good grades and success can be two non-intersecting lines on the tech graph. This is because the field of tech is vast, and unlike other courses taught in school, technology is hardly ever taught in terms of specialization.

For instance, in a Computer Science class, you are taught the basics of general programming languages such as loops in Java, functions in Python, and classes in C++. You also learn general concepts such as Object-Oriented Programming, along with subjects like Math, Physics, and even Chemistry (yes, Chemistry). And while these topics give us a grasp of the whole rodeo, they hardly go beyond the surface. They only provide you with a little insight into what you should learn On. Your. Own.

If you imagine yourself walking into a company with a 5.0 CGPA and a head full of just Java loops and C structs, thinking you will be handed a proper job, you are sadly mistaken — don’t be surprised to find that your supervisor has a degree in Agriculture and your general manager didn’t even finish highschool. This is why they say, ‘tech is for everyone.’ In Computer Science, grades can be an indicator of a person’s ability to multitask and not so much their intelligence. I am not saying that people with good grades are limited in terms of technical know-how. On the contrary, if you’re able to juggle school work and self-development, you’re one tough cookie 🍪.

If you can walk into a company with a few solid projects under your belt, some experience on your resume, good grades (and a spaghetti-stained hoodie to indicate that you are in fact a tech bro), my kudos to you. However, if you find yourself unable to juggle both academic work and professional work and you really want that experience, those projects, that quick “tech money”, you might find yourself focusing more on professional projects. Good grades aren’t always necessary to land a job, but they might be required for certain jobs. Every job has its requirements, and some might include a minimum CGPA that is not always stated upfront.

Do not feel let down when your attempts at improvement do not progress as quickly as planned. James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” emphasizes one important rule:

“If you can get 1% better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.”

If you’re a grade A student without strong technical experience:

If you fall into the class of people with excellent grades but not strong technical skills, here are some tips:

1. Find your niche: If you haven’t already, decide what you want to do with your life. If you’re not into it, it doesn't always have to be code. If you’re a creative, you might want to look into tech streams like Product Design, UI/UX Design and Research, Technical Writing, No-code Development etc. If you’re into teamwork and management, you might wanna try Product/Project Management, Scrum Masters, etc. Other jobs include CyberSecurity, Data related roles, Quality Assurance Engineering, Virtual/Augmented Reality Engineering, Software Engineers, Machine Learning, and so on.
2. Create an inclusive schedule: Set aside a dedicated time each day or week to focus on learning and practicing your technical skills — a study schedule that includes both academic work and professional development. As you start to develop a niche, look for opportunities to incorporate professional work into your schedule. If your school’s internship program hasn’t started yet, this is a perfect time to work on developing your technical skills, so you’re well-prepared when it’s time to look for a job. Landing a job with strong technical skills, rather than just making tea or carrying files for your manager, is an excellent way to gain valuable experience and position yourself well in the job market.
3. Join communities and find an inspiration: Joining communities is like finding a tribe of people who share your interests. They will inspire you, motivate you, and help you grow. It’s like having a bunch of tech-savvy friends who always have your back. Plus, you might even find some new memes to share 🙈! Finding an inspiration is also a big help, it doesn’t have to be a huge influencer, it could be someone you stumbled across who is trying to put their best into their tech journey in ways you’d like to adopt. It could be someone like a good friend of mine, KemsDesigns.
4. Take courses, watch videos and work on personal projects: Sharpen your technical skills by taking online courses and watching tutorial videos. For Software Engineering, I personally enjoy Programming with Mosh. And don’t forget to work on personal projects — they’re a great way to apply what you’ve learned and build your resume. You could start off by building/designing your own portfolio website, working along with a Data tutorial, writing on your new method of developing your technical skills and so on. Plus, who knows? Your side project could turn into the next big thing!

If you have solid technical experience but not good grades:

If you have strong professional experience but not good grades, don’t worry too much. Many companies value practical experience over academic achievements, and having a portfolio of completed projects and successful implementations can speak volumes. However, if you still feel like you want to improve your academic credentials, this can show your dedication to learning and professional development and can help you land even more challenging and rewarding roles. Here are some tips to help you with school:

1. Find concrete reasons why you’d like to improve your grades: Identify specific motivations for improving your grades, such as making yourself a more competitive candidate for jobs, enhancing your overall knowledge, impressing your parents or opening up opportunities for further education or career advancement. Having clear goals can provide you with the necessary drive and focus to improve.
2. Create a study schedule and try the Pomodoro method: Develop a study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each subject or topic you need to focus on. When it came to academics during high school, I wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box because I was easily distracted. Coming into college, I decided to change that, that’s when I found the Pomodoro technique - Break your study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks in which you’ll study for a set amount of time (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by a short break (e.g., 5 minutes). After completing a few cycles, take a more extended break (e.g., 15–30 minutes). This method helped me a develop a habit and in the long run, it become a part of my schedule and I no longer needed a timer. Also, using Super Learning music or LoFi music as white noise while studying can, to some extent, help you focus.
3. Make professional work a leisure activity for the time being: As difficult as it might sound, you might need to turn the notch down a bit on your projects to make a little more time for studying. Try moving professional work to later on in the day when you’ve been able to complete assignments, attend classes and get some hours of studying in. What you could try is squeezing in study time to whenever you’re completing assignments or writing notes — read along.
4. Attend tutorials and find study groups/partners: You can collaborate with your peers to discuss concepts, work through problem sets, and exchange notes. You can also reach out to the more academic-focused students in your class who might also need help with professional development and create a sort of quid pro quo. This can also provide an opportunity to learn from others’ experiences and perspectives, helping to broaden your understanding of the subject matter. During study group sessions, consider taking turns leading discussions and presenting on topics. This can provide a chance to practice your public speaking skills and reinforce your knowledge of the material.

If you don’t have strong technical experience or good grades:

Fret not. Everyone feels this way at some point. You should follow the steps from the above two sections! Do not feel beat down by the fact that you might not be doing as well as you might have anticipated. It is never too late to turn things around and improve your situation.

If you have solid technical experience AND good grades:

Idan 🫡.

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that grades and technical experience are not the sole indicators of success. While they can play a role, they do not define your potential or limit your future opportunities. Instead of being disheartened or completely satisified by your current situation, focus on the steps you can take to improve and showcase your abilities.

As you embark on your path towards success, keep in mind that your worth extends beyond grades and technical experience. You are a multifaceted individual with unique talents and potential. Embrace your strengths, learn from your experiences, and confidently pursue your dreams. With the right mindset, proper schedule and commitment to growth, you have the power to create a fulfilling and successful future.

I will wish you what I wish myself — May your road be rough.