Do You Really Need a CS Degree to Become a Great Developer?

Let me cut to the chase: No, you don’t.

And I’m not just saying that because it sounds cool or rebellious — I’m living proof of it.

I’m 20 years old. I’ve already worked with multiple companies, shipped real-world products, collaborated with teams, earned good money, and gained solid industry experience.

And guess what?

I’m still pursuing my CS degree… But if you ask me honestly — I don’t think it was necessary to become a great developer.

🧠 Here’s What a CS Degree Does Give You

Let’s be fair — a Computer Science degree does offer some solid things:

• A structured curriculum (you won’t miss out on core theory)

• Exposure to topics like OS, DBMS, compilers, etc.

• A recognized qualification for certain jobs (especially abroad or in traditional companies)

• A great environment if you meet the right mentors or peers

But here’s the catch 👇

It’s slow. It’s outdated in many places. And it doesn’t always teach you how to build real stuff.

🚀 What Actually Helped Me Become a Developer

Instead of waiting for my college to catch up, I:

• Built projects (web apps, mobile apps, tools — whatever excited me)

• Worked with real clients — startups, agencies, companies

• Learned online (YouTube, docs, courses, GitHub)

• Contributed to open source and collaborated with actual devs

• Took on freelance gigs, made money, and reinvested it into learning

Everything I know about React, Node.js, databases, DevOps, system design — I learned by doing. Not from textbooks.

And that’s how I built my skills, portfolio, and network — all before graduating.

🆚 Degree vs Skill: What Really Matters?

In today’s world:

Let’s be honest — companies don’t care about your degree. They care if you can:

• Solve problems

• Communicate well

• Write clean, maintainable code

• Learn fast and work in a team

🗣️ My Take: Degree? Not Needed. Learning? Always.

You don’t need a CS degree to become a great developer.

You need:

• Curiosity

• Consistency

• The courage to build

• And a willingness to keep improving

I’m still in college — but only because I chose to stay. Not because I need it to succeed.

Everyone has their own path, and I respect that. If you have access to a great CS program — amazing! But if not, don’t let it hold you back.

Start building. Start learning. Start now.