u/Best_Chocolate_9335 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Do you feel like the only realistic way for someone w/o a technical degree (CS, Engineering) to break into software engineering in the current job market is through a Masters degree in CS? Is it even realistic for a self-taught dev to break in without serious networking connecti
u/michaelnovati replied · ★ FEATURED
Hi,
1. Master's is the most stable path but it's not guarantee either.
2. If you are truly self-taught and have gotten to an employable skill level on your own, I might consider doing some freelance work and trying to land FAANG contractor roles and taking about 3 to 5 years to land a permanent role.
3. Working and transitioning - I've seen it in two ways, but it's not common because these companies are so high performance there isn't a lot of time to explore.
\- Leveraging internal support - i.e. doing part time masters, or internal classes and then interviewing for lower tier or entry level roles that are the same company with the safety of staying in your role. Amazon had an internal apprenticeship to do just this, but it shut down.
\- Doing your job and doing a part time masters paid for by the company and then potentially changing companies once it's done and not counting on the current company converting you.
4. If 3 doesn't work out, maybe you can leverage the skills on the job to at least to tech-adjacent work, i.e. be the 'tech person' on the team.