Path to a free, self-taught education in Computer Science (github.com)

Article summary

The Open Source Society University (OSSU) offers a free, self-taught education in computer science, with a curriculum designed to meet the standards of an undergraduate degree in computer science. The program is divided into intro, core, and advanced courses, with a final project to validate and display knowledge. All course materials are available for free, although some courses may charge for graded assignments or exams. The program is designed to be completed in about two years with 20 hours of study per week.

Main themes

• self-taught education
• software engineering
• degree requirements
• industry hiring practices
• protected titles
• international differences
• experience vs credentials
• career development

What commenters say

• It is possible to be a successful self-taught software engineer, and many companies do not require a degree for hiring.
• The title 'Software Engineer' is protected in some European countries and requires a specific degree or certification.
• Having a degree can be beneficial for certain careers or roles, but experience and skills are often more important.
• Some companies, especially FAANG companies, have a rigorous interviewing process that can give them confidence in hires regardless of credentials.
• The protection of the 'Software Engineer' title can be problematic for multinationals that want employees to be able to easily transfer internally.
• In some countries, the title 'Software Engineer' is not protected, and anyone can use it regardless of their background or education.
• Experience and references are often more important than a degree for getting hired, especially in the tech industry.
• The lack of a degree can make it harder to break into the industry, but it is not impossible with persistence and hard work.