Ask a Recruiter … Do I Need A Computer Science Degree To Get Into Tech?

Ask a Recruiter … Do I Need A Computer Science Degree To Get Into Tech?

With expected salaries ranging from £30,000 to £50,000 for computer programmers, roles in the tech industry are fast becoming some of the most eagerly sought-after careers. As our world becomes increasingly digitised, it’s an industry that offers a diverse and rewarding career path. For many, the preferred route might be to take a computer science degree, before training as a programmer. There are lots of pros to this option – many larger businesses are after candidates with a CS, or IT-related degree. Also, it gives you time to consider what field of development you want to specialise in, and gain some background academic knowledge.

Do qualifications always = quality?

But, as the cost of attending university becomes pricier by the day, more and more would-be techies are choosing to bypass higher education. With online academies such as Codeacademy and FreeCodeCamp offering free coding courses, and bootcamps such as Makers Academy and Founders and Coders offering further training for a fraction of the price of a BSc, many candidates are managing to make their way into the tech world without having to fork out for an expensive CS degree. At Prime Appointments, we place people from all walks of life in a variety of tech roles. We asked our leading IT & Digital recruiter, Simon Morris, is it possible to make it in the tech world without a computer science degree?

“Absolutely! If you have the passion, ingenuity, initiative and drive then you can break into the IT industry. More and more companies struggle to recruit good graduates as they are not passionate about coding and don’t do more than their degree. Companies want to see examples of work, Github accounts, online portfolio’s, etc. Proof that you can code is just as important, if not more important than a degree and if you can demonstrate that, you will stand out, regardless of your education.”

Be strategic!

So, the short answer? Yes. If you want to make it as a computer programmer or a web developer, there are plenty of resources out there that can help you on your way. The long answer? It depends on your long-term career goals, and how flexible you’re willing to be about where you apply. When it comes to the most elite companies, such as Google, a computer science degree is often the first filter hiring managers apply to their pool of potential candidates. But if, like many, you’re more drawn to the buzz of working in a startup or an SME, those first few letters after your name will not be as essential. In these cases, it’s also helpful if you can show hard evidence of your coding skills. For example, you could try building an app, or a website.

A solid success story...

One example is one of our recent candidates, who came from a non-tech related background. As a science student, he had had no formal university background in IT. But, bitten by the tech bug, he decided that website-building was a passion that he wanted to pursue. In his spare time, he built the award-winning “Britney Spears’ Guide to Semiconductor Physics”. The 90s-pop-princess themed learning aid was a major hit with his students, and even caught the eye of the media, appearing on popular political satire show “Have I Got News for You”. It goes without saying that having a concrete example of his programming skills as well as his creative flair has been invaluable in furthering his career.

Show what you're made of!

If you think you have the ingenuity and the technical skills to succeed, there are tonnes of resources available for showcasing your skills. If you fancy yourself an app-developer, why not try building your own Android app? Or, if you’re leaning more towards website development, there are plenty of straightforward text editors to choose from. And if you get stuck along the way? There’s always Stack Overflow – the yahoo-equivalent online community for developers and programmers. Simon says, if you take the opportunity to demonstrate your initiative and passion with outside projects such as these, this will be a big plus on your CV. It may even be enough to help you crack into the more established firms, as well as the startups.

Once you’ve demonstrated your expertise, another good way to get your tech career off its feet is to get networking. For Essex-based tecchies, there are loads of options, such as SouthendTechMeet, PHP Essex, East of England Agile User Group,and more. For those looking further afield, the capital is buzzing with formal and informal tech meetups, such as Silicon Drinkabout, Front-end London and TechHub Demo Night. In many industries, connections often carry as much, if not more weight than academic credentials, and the tech world is no exception. If you’re drawn to the social side of the startup scene, events like these can be a great way to make those all-important connections.

Above all, Simon says, the number one requirement for making it in tech is the ability to demonstrate real passion for your field. If you can show that, alongside some serious coding skills and creative spark, you have the willingness to learn and the commitment to persevere, the tech world can be your oyster.