Hey guys,

Wanted some input on the following situation:

I am a freshman CS student at a regionally accredited state university.

For better or worse, the university is typically associated with being an online or distance learning university (mostly for military) and thus I have a bit of a dilema.

Im aware some employers look down upon and disparage online programs, and my particular university is nowhere near a top school, so i've considered transferring to a more prestigious (relatively speaking) university. However, the class length and semester structure at my current university allows me to complete a degree on time without ever having to take more then 2-3 classes simultaneously. This is assuming I take every summer session. This would allow me much more time and ability to develop a portfolio or potentially a business whilst still in college.

What is of more value? A degree from a more respected university, or a degree from a lesser university but also some sort of portfolio of work?

any other input or advice tremendously appreciated!

Much appreciated.

college is a waste of time and money imo

If your college has connections in fields you want to work in or a stellar job search or placement resources then I wouldn't transfer. If not then I would consider it more.

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are you going to actually learn anything at your current school?

Hard for me to answer.

im very motivated and self disciplined and believe that I can teach myself a lot.

Online classes do seem to suffer some disadvantages such as real time conversations. Alot of it seems self driven. They basically provide a list of resources, some weekly readings, discussion topics taking place over a message board and quizzes/assignments/projects.

I believe I have learned some things, albeit I have only taken 3 classes so far. Only one class is CS related.

I have never attended a brick and mortar uni/college so im not sure how much, other then the obvious, is different.

You should be a looking for an internship now for the summer. You want to have 1 or more internships done before graduating. Top play imo is go to the more prestigious school and get an internship every summer. They pay well, you learn a ton, it looks great on your resume. Internship >>> portfolio.

Do I actually have a shot getting an intership with only 2 semesters under my belt?

Also, why could I not just stay at current school, do internships AND build portfolio?

is the more prestigious uni THAT much more value?

thanks for feedback!

Absolutely you can with 2 semesters. My company goes to the top 3 or 4 schools in terms of size and sets up a booth. They talk to whoever comes by. If you come across half decently they will give you an interview. Most but not all of the interns are coming from the most prestigious school. Not because they care about the school but because they are performing better. Learning with smart, motivated people pushes you to perform better. That will not only help you get a job but be a better programmer.

That could definitely work. If you can get an internship and you like the school no reason to transfer. I don't even think the prestige thing is the biggest thing going against it. Without companies coming to your school to talk it is much harder to get the internship. But impossible absolutely not. I got both an internship and job without a relevant degree. Took me 1000 applications though which was not fun.

Prestige matters at some level by itself. If you get a comp sci degree from a good school, you will get tons of interviews from good places. Those companies will come to college recruiting and you will have a higher interview rate from applications. My response rate for a non relevant, non prestigious school was easily 10 times less than someone with a non relevant degree from a prestigious school. The response rate was still heavily skewed even after my internship! I wouldn't pay out of state tuition rates prestige though.

Current uni actually does have career/job fairs.

They offer them in two formats, in the on "campus" format about an hours drive south, and also in a "virtual" format. Im not sure how the virtual format works exactly.

There have been employers such as Geico,State Farm, Sony, various DoD contractors who have been in attendance.

edit: I have heard a person or two say that if good/big companies attend a schools job fair then that indicates that in the eyes of employers(atleast those employers attending) the program is regarded as being good.

Thoughts?

I think you should drive down there talk to them and try to get an internship or job. Getting a job out of talking to a real life person who is there for recruiting is 100x better than sending out resumes.

totally agree

If you won't have internship opportunities, get or before you waste any more time.

https://medium.freecodecamp.com/5-ke...331#.zc9rwm8fb

Thought this was a great write up from a bootcamper's perspective. Lots of good links and info on how he practiced interviewing and questions until his job offers practically doubled (the offered salaries that is)

Ya that's pretty good. Esp the part about sending resumes straight to real people. Takes some balls and may seem stalkerish but it works.

I def disagree with downplaying the bootcamp though. That is a positive. That is finding interest and jumping right in. I think his issues may have been from poor framing.

Id be curious to hear other bootcamp grads experience on that topic.

You'll see comments from hiring managers on both sides of the bootcamp issue. You can try it different ways, but it's not like you have that much of a choice in how you portray it.

Keep in mind that in the tech hub cities, recruiters and hiring people are seeing tons and tons of identical bootcamp resumes.

why aren't there bootcamps for database jobs?

https://www.certificationcamps.com/b...pe/sql-server/


well that seems expensive.