Should I pursue a CS degree or continue self-studying to transition into software development? /u/DarkPassage_ CSCQ protests reddit

I have no degree and 4 years of technical support experience (working at a Fortune 100 company, a SaaS startup, and now a medium-sized company that acquired the startup). I’m content staying in my current role until at least May 2026 due to a retention bonus in my contract, so I’m not in a rush to land a dev role.

I’ve been programming off and on for a few years and am passionate about working in software development. I don’t see myself working with any other craft. However, I’m concerned that not having a degree will hurt my chances of landing interviews. Is self-study still a viable path, or should I start pursuing a CS degree?

My current plan:

Finish “CS50” and go through “CS50 Web: Scalability & Security”
Read “Learning Java” from O’Reilly
Build a todo list app with Java (not a portfolio project, just something to build in order to get hands-on with the basics)
- First without a database, then with a MySQL database
- Then, add a frontend (pure HTML/CSS/JS, then React)
Build an Eisenhower matrix & Pomodoro timer web app (something I’ll use day-to-day)
Build a pothole reporting system (web app, mobile app, cloud deployment, and observability; my “capstone” project)

I also plan on going through the books listed on teachyourselfcs.com:

Algorithms and Data Structures: The Algorithm Design Manual
Programming: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Computer Architecture: Computer Systems: A Programmer’s Perspective
Math for CS: Mathematics for Computer Science
Operating Systems: Operating Systems: 3 Easy Pieces
Networking: Computer Networking – A Top Down Approach
Databases: Readings in Databases Systems
Languages and Compliers: Crafting Interpreters
Distributed Systems: Designing Data-Intensive Applications

As well as Introduction to the Theory of Computation by Michael Sipser

If I need a degree, I plan to start at community college (to meet WGU’s GPA requirements) and then transfer to WGU’s CS program.

Any advice on whether self-study or a degree is the better path? Are there gaps in my self-study plan that I should address?

submitted by /u/DarkPassage_
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r/cscareerquestions I have no degree and 4 years of technical support experience (working at a Fortune 100 company, a SaaS startup, and now a medium-sized company that acquired the startup). I’m content staying in my current role until at least May 2026 due to a retention bonus in my contract, so I’m not in a rush to land a dev role. I’ve been programming off and on for a few years and am passionate about working in software development. I don’t see myself working with any other craft. However, I’m concerned that not having a degree will hurt my chances of landing interviews. Is self-study still a viable path, or should I start pursuing a CS degree? My current plan: Finish “CS50” and go through “CS50 Web: Scalability & Security” Read “Learning Java” from O’Reilly Build a todo list app with Java (not a portfolio project, just something to build in order to get hands-on with the basics) First without a database, then with a MySQL database Then, add a frontend (pure HTML/CSS/JS, then React) Build an Eisenhower matrix & Pomodoro timer web app (something I’ll use day-to-day) Build a pothole reporting system (web app, mobile app, cloud deployment, and observability; my “capstone” project) I also plan on going through the books listed on teachyourselfcs.com: Algorithms and Data Structures: The Algorithm Design Manual Programming: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Computer Architecture: Computer Systems: A Programmer’s Perspective Math for CS: Mathematics for Computer Science Operating Systems: Operating Systems: 3 Easy Pieces Networking: Computer Networking – A Top Down Approach Databases: Readings in Databases Systems Languages and Compliers: Crafting Interpreters Distributed Systems: Designing Data-Intensive Applications As well as Introduction to the Theory of Computation by Michael Sipser If I need a degree, I plan to start at community college (to meet WGU’s GPA requirements) and then transfer to WGU’s CS program. Any advice on whether self-study or a degree is the better path? Are there gaps in my self-study plan that I should address? submitted by /u/DarkPassage_ [link] [comments]