Rise in Tech Apprenticeships

[rachel83az]

This is my deliberation about getting a degree. I apprenticed as a software engineer at a startup and have since worked for the past five years as a software engineer, but I don't have a degree (not even a non-CS degree, no degree at all). I've been considering just continuing to build my portfolio and personal branding instead of, or maybe alongside of, getting a degree. But really I just need to stop deliberating.

Doooo it. Especially if you're still torn. If you don't want to invest a lot and can do UMPI, it's almost certainly worth the $5k (or less) for the peace of mind it'll give you. If you'd prefer an actual CS degree, you can get one at TESU for under $10k.

[mahaganapati]

This is my deliberation about getting a degree. I apprenticed as a software engineer at a startup and have since worked for the past five years as a software engineer, but I don't have a degree (not even a non-CS degree, no degree at all). I've been considering just continuing to build my portfolio and personal branding instead of, or maybe alongside of, getting a degree. But really I just need to stop deliberating.

Doooo it. Especially if you're still torn. If you don't want to invest a lot and can do UMPI, it's almost certainly worth the $5k (or less) for the peace of mind it'll give you. If you'd prefer an actual CS degree, you can get one at TESU for under $10k.

Thanks for your continued encouragement here and in the other threads. I do prefer a CS degree since I imagine still feeling some level of "imposter" if I continue working in software but have e.g. a general LA degree. Yes, peace of mind is a good investment. The best evidence is that I've been thinking about it for many years already.

[ss20ts]

UMPI does have a BA in Business Admin with a PM concentration and a BLS with minos in Management, PM, and MIS. All would work nicely for someone with many years of experience in CS.

[rachel83az]

Agreed; Project Management and/or MIS could be good degrees to have as a software engineer.

[MNomadic]

More IBM apprenticeships are now ACE recommended for college credit:
- Cybersecurity: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...0d3a59ad30
- Mainframe Apprenticeship: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...0d3a59a1af
- Software Engineering: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...0d3a5b06ea

45-48 credits are not too shabby for a paid apprenticeship with a major tech company! If a college accepts most of those credits, you'd be well on your way to an associate's and/or bachelor's degree.

[MNomadic]

More info about the IBM apprenticeships: https://www.ibm.com/us-en/employment/new...ticeships/

Amazon technical apprenticeships(geared primarily towards military/veterans): https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-apprentice

Not an apprenticeship but FREE tech boot camp designed to help people get directly into jobs. Their locations and course offerings have grown a lot over the years. If you're considering a paid boot camp, look into this and other cheap/free options first: https://perscholas.org/

[MNomadic]

Happy to see that even Google has a software engineer apprenticeship worth over 40 credits through ACE:

https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...0d3a363c81