How to Become a Software Engineer (no degree)

In 2016, I was still in lecture hall trying to complete my degree and applying for medical school. My entire life goal since childhood was to work in the medical field. After I graduated college and faced with a ton of rejection letters, I researched a bit on Software Engineering. The thought of me becoming a Software Engineer without a degree seemed impossible. Now in 2022, I’m a Software Engineer making a living that I could not imagine making. In this post, I’ll show you how I became a Software Engineer without a degree.

How to become a Software Engineer without a degree

So how do you get there? You have to make up for the fact that you don’t have a Computer Science degree. And how do you do that?

Well, you go and get one.

That’s probably the dumbest response and totally not what you are expecting. But I promise I can explain.

I only brought that up because there are some who DO value a college education, and that is 100% acceptable. If you’re currently in college and are considering a Computer Science degree, this is a great way of becoming a Software Engineer. For those who are years out of college, getting a degree is still an option. Just keep in mind that it will take a few years and a fair amount of money.

Now for those who really don’t want to get a degree, let’s move on.

I’ll tell you the good news straight up that not having a degree isn’t the end of your Software Engineering ambitions. I would even say that it is only the beginning.

1. Choose a Programming Language

Assuming that you’ve already made the decision mentally prepare to learn Software Engineering, the first step is to choose a language of your choice. For me, that language was C#. You might have another programming language that you want to learn, and that’s ok. I’m just telling you what I did and what worked for me. All programming languages are inherently the same and the principle concepts can be applied to all languages. The important thing is stick to one language as your core programming language that you are 100% comfortable with. Here are a few C# books a recommend to getting started:

Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well

C# 10 and .NET 6

Murach’s C# (7th Edition)

If C# isn’t your language, here are some programming languages I recommend for those who are just starting out.

2. Pick an online course or bootcamp

Once you have your programming of choice, it’s time to get started on the fundamentals. I’m normally against coding bootcamps and online tutorials, but for someone just starting out, this is a perfect way of getting started. Many of my previous coworkers were bootcamp graduates and are making a decent living, so I know there is success to bootcamps.

If bootcamps are a bit out of your price range, perhaps learning online would be your be choice. There are a ton of video tutorials online that covers the basics of a programming language. If you pick a language that has been around for quite some time, there is a large support for these languages and new content will always be created for such languages.

Online tutorials are also taught by those who have tons of experience in the field. They’ll go into topics from basic data structures to more advanced topics such as polymorphism, inheritance and threads.

3. Learn outside of course materials

It is crucial for you to learn outside of course materials as well. This will keep your motivation going and you may have questions outside of the materials being provided. Going outside of your course and learning on your own time is an indication that you are a serious about having a career in Software Engineering.

Immerse yourself in an environment of Software Engineering. Listen to a podcast or read books. Becoming a Software Engineer isn’t just getting a certification or degree. It is also a complete change in mindset.

Reading books and listening to podcasts allows you to listen to the stories of fellow Software Engineers and learn from THEIR perspective. Remember, becoming a Software Engineer isn’t just technical, it’s also quite philosophical. Here are some programming books written by well known authors of the Software Engineering community.