Ask HN: How to thrive in tech without post-secondary education?
Success in the tech industry can be achieved without formal education, as demonstrated by individuals who advanced through real-world experience and early workforce entry, highlighting alternative pathways to success.
The discussion centers around individuals who have found success in the tech industry without formal post-secondary education. The author emphasizes that while education is valuable for personal growth and networking, it may not be the right path for everyone. They recount the experiences of two individuals who entered the tech field early. Person "A" began as a part-time manual tester while still in high school and progressed through various roles to become a DevOps architect with 20 years of experience. Person "B," who left high school due to a dislike for traditional education, started in a support role and eventually became a principal engineer after gaining diverse experience across different companies and positions. The author seeks to highlight these journeys not as a blanket endorsement of skipping formal education but as examples of alternative pathways to success in tech.
- Success in tech is possible without formal post-secondary education.
- Real-world experience can lead to significant career advancement.
- Early entry into the workforce can provide valuable industry experience.
- Individual journeys vary, and education may not suit everyone.
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5 commentsIf you're just starting out, IT Technician jobs are a good place to start. Replace some RAM, Install printer drivers etc.
The rest is up to you.
Technology fits my predisposition just fine. It's always changing, so I'm always learning.
I started out by making a website for a girlfriend's business 25 years ago, enjoyed it, and just kept on going.
Nowadays I have worked at on important projects and products for some of the most well known companies pushing the boundaries of technology forward.
It turns out that soft kills are extremely important, and self mastery is a powerful skill. As powerful in some cases as knowing how to twiddle bits or predict the results of a left-outer SQL join.
Learning how to enjoy learning, and how to work effectively alone and with others cannot be replaced by a diploma on the wall. The diploma may serve as evidence that one has been tested and proved to have the qualities necessary to acquire the diploma, but absence of the diploma is not proof of the absence of those qualities.
Develop yourself. You will be rewarded.
I think being curious, always learning, being likable and good at interviewing (leetcode and sys design) don’t need a college degree after a few years of technical experience.
Everyone assumes I have a cs masters because that’s common at faang.
If I could get a do over though I’d just get the cs degree. I think there’s some value there.
First job was 1st line tech support and moved up the Ops IC ladder ever since.
Still to this day tech is one of the few industries where you can go far (and be financially rewarded) despite lack of academic background.