rachsmithcodes
commented
8 years ago So my personal experience was that having a degree probably contributed to my getting my first couple of web jobs. Just because I was a junior and having that degree made me seem like I had something going for me, since I didn't have a lot of experience. Since you're already working freelance you probably already have the work experience that equates to a degree in "resume points" anyway. Do I think you need a college degree to get good jobs in web development? No, not at all. I have a number of friends (including one of my old bosses at Active Theory) that never got a degree and are doing amazing things in web development. The only caveat would be if you had grand plans to work at one of the bigs, like Google, Facebook or Microsoft. Those big companies seem to take formal education in to account when hiring. Most small-mid companies will hire people regardless of formal education, as long as you have the skills they need! They kind of have to thanks to the skills shortage in the industry right now :)
I wish you well in your career. Don't allow yourself tell you no before a company does. Apply for any job you would like, the worst that can happen is they tell you no! I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities you'll be provided if you aim high and keep working towards those goals.
From an emailer [anonymous]
I wanted to get your opinion on something as I have a hard time making a connection with other Web Developers in my area... This is my first time reaching out to someone who's "made it" in the Web Development community, and I'd like to know your take on the importance of formal education in the Web Development. I'm a completely self-taught (or whatever you want to call soaking in all of the information from incredible individuals like yourself) freelancing Web Developer for numerous small businesses in my area, but I don't have a formal degree... There are plenty of companies out there who say that you don't need a degree for Web Development to get a job in the industry (Blizzard, and Riot Games to name a few that I know of), and I feel that the internet has such a wealth of knowledge that it shouldn't be mandatory to get a formal education for it. That being said, I'm curious to get your take on the topic, as you have worked at a few very large names in the industry. Did the places you work require a degree? And if they didn't how heavily did it weigh on getting hired? Since Web Development is such a transparent industry (where you can easily read someone's code and see their understanding of a subject), I just can't justify spending so much money on education, but I certainly would if that is what it takes to get a job at a prominent Web Development company.