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date icon October 13, 2024

How to break into tech without a CS degree?

CEO & Founder at CodeOp

Unlike back then, you don’t need a traditional four-year degree to land a job in tech today. From coding bootcamps to self-taught programming projects, countless alternative routes exist to becoming a software engineer, web developer, data scientist, or cybersecurity expert.

This shift is especially empowering for women, trans, and nonbinary individuals, who often face barriers in traditional education environments.

At CodeOp, we’ve seen firsthand how diverse voices can thrive in tech, regardless of background or previous experience. The tech industry increasingly recognises that talent comes in many forms, and with the right approach, anyone can carve out a successful career.

After running CodeOp for some time, I have become more sure than ever that it’s never too late to start. Especially now that the opportunities are more accessible than ever.

You don’t need a degree to break into the tech industry. With the right skills, determination, and a strategic approach, you can find opportunities and build a successful career in tech.

Step 1: Start studying immediately.

Countless websites, platforms, and courses can teach you valuable tech skills and knowledge. Additionally, free or low-cost options like Udemy courses and part-time bootcamps are often available, making it accessible for those on a tight budget.

1. Bootcamps

According to research by Indeed, 72% of employers think bootcamp graduates are just as prepared and likely to be high performers as candidates with computer science degrees.

Another 12% think bootcamp graduates are more prepared and likely to succeed than traditional job candidates.

Here are some pros and cons to help you make an educated decision:

Pros: Bootcamps surpass formal education in flexibility and affordability. Most can be as short as a few weeks and offer part-time, remote options.

In addition, they are also taught by industry professionals and provide updated education related to in-demand skills and technologies. This allows for a greater demographic to access that transition to a new tech career.

Cons: Bootcamps can move faster than other learning programs, making the learning curve more intense. However, if you stay consistent and compassionate towards yourself, you can succeed.

Investing in an online bootcamp like CodeOp allows you to learn the latest industry-relevant skills, work on real-world projects, and access dedicated career support to guide you from learning to landing a job.

2. Online Courses

Another great way to learn tech-related skills without a degree is to take advantage of online learning resources. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy offer a wide range of courses in programming, web development, data science, and more.

Most of these courses are self-paced, which might be what you need if you have other time-consuming obligations.

Pros: There are many tech resources available online, with some being free. They are also often put together by industry professionals, depending on the course provider. You also have the freedom to choose when you want to learn, and some even give certificates upon completion.

Cons: Mentorship and one-on-one support are not always available, and this can be extremely helpful as a beginner. Developing best practices, and working on a project with a team can be harder to accomplish.

3. Self Study

Nowadays, you can find content enabling you to teach yourself tech skills in all corners of the internet. YouTube has beginner-friendly resources for just about any tech-related skill, as well as in-depth explanations of concepts and tutorials for projects.

Pros: With self study, you are free to study what you want at your own pace. You are in complete control of how much content you take in at any given time, and how you choose to practise.

Cons: While you may be learning from real people, the experience is not personalised nor intimate, so you are not always likely to have all your questions answered. The concern of best practices is also raised here, as learning in this case would be done without oversight.

One way to bypass that would be using AI models like ChatGPT, Claude or Perplexity. One of these LLMs could act as your “teacher,” and make sure you don’t stray in the wrong direction.

However, that’s not a foolproof solution given how often these models hallucinate.

Step 2: Focus on Practical Projects

While theory is essential, our industry values practical experience even more. Employers want to see that you can build, debug, and deploy real-world applications.

1. Personal Portfolio

Your portfolio will become one of the most important assets in your job search. According to a survey by a college in Hong Kong, 90% of employers prioritize practical experience over academic credentials when evaluating candidates.**

A good portfolio should include diverse you’re that demonstrate your versatility.

Start by identifying projects that align with your interests and the skills you want to showcase. This could be creating a website, developing a mobile app, or contributing to open-source projects with other professionals.

When building projects, focus on solving real-world problems, as this simulates your work in a professional setting.

A great example of this is one of our Full Stack Development students, Zarina, who developed the website “CycleSavvy” as her very first project.

Zarina’s site helps people with periods track their cycle and provides them with self-care tips related to the symptoms they may feel on any given day. It also provides their partners with tips on supporting them through such times.

3. Internships and Apprenticeships

According to a Glassdoor report, interns in software engineering roles can earn an average of £47,002 per year in London, making it a financially viable way to gain experience while learning.

In addition to personal projects, consider internships and apprenticeships. Many tech companies offer paid internships or apprenticeships for non-degree holders, providing hands-on experience while learning from seasoned professionals.

Step 3: Contribute to Open Source

Open-source communities like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket host repositories where you can collaborate with developers worldwide, working on projects ranging from small libraries to full-scale software frameworks.

Why it matters: Open-source contributions demonstrate your ability to work with established codebases, solve real-world problems, and collaborate with experienced developers.

It’s like an ongoing technical interview that can impress potential employers.

In fact, a report by GitHub found that 94% of hiring managers say open-source contributions are a key factor when hiring developers.

Where to Start:

  1. Choose a project that aligns with your interests.
  2. Look for “good first issues” in open-source projects.
  3. Connect with project maintainers by joining the project’s discussion threads or Slack channels to ask questions and gain guidance on contributing.

Beyond the practical experience, contributing to open-source projects connects you with developers across the globe, expanding your professional network and potentially opening doors for future job opportunities.

In fact, we have a whole article on “how to gain coding experience.”

Step 4: Networking and Building Connections

You could say that steps 4 and 5 are interchangeable. Or better yet, do them simultaneously.

In the tech industry, who you know can be as important as what you know.

Networking is about building relationships with other professionals who can offer guidance and even recommend job opportunities.

LinkedIn says up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking.

Building a network of industry contacts increases your chances of getting referrals for job opportunities and staying updated with the latest trends.

Now, onto the bigger problem: how does one build these connections?

  1. Attend Industry Meetups and Conferences: Tech and hackathons are great places to meet other developers and industry professionals. Websites like Meetup.com frequently host tech events, especially in cities with thriving tech communities like Barcelona, Berlin, or London.
  2. Utilise LinkedIn and Twitter: Social platforms aren’t just for socialising. LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to connect with developers, hiring managers, and recruiters. Don’t be afraid to send a connection request with a thoughtful message.
  3. Join Online Communities: Forums like Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, or CodeOp’s alumni network are valuable spaces to ask questions, exchange ideas, and network with like-minded individuals.
  4. Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals currently in roles you’re interested in and ask for short informational interviews.

One example is our very own free introduction to coding workshop that we offer once a month, allowing beginners to learn more about the basics of coding and put it into practice with an activity.

We also run a Women+ in Web Development facebook group, which is a home for women+ in the developer space to share resources, job opportunities, scholarships, experiences, and much more.

Building a solid network also positions you well for mentorship opportunities, increasing your chances of being referred for roles in tech without needing a CS degree.

Step 5: Freelancing and Contract Work

Freelancing is becoming increasingly popular, with **a 2018 report by the Freelancers Union stating that full-time freelancers increased from**

17% to 28% of the freelance workforce, while part-time freelancers dropped 9% from 59% to 50% in the USA.

Here’s how you get started:

  1. Freelance Platforms: One approach is to take on freelance projects, which allows you to work with actual clients and gather valuable feedback. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide opportunities to apply your skills while building a portfolio.
  2. Offer services to local businesses: Approach small businesses in your community that need websites, apps, or technical support. This will allow you to learn while solving real-world business problems.
  3. Build a Freelance Portfolio: Like a job-seeking portfolio, your freelance portfolio should demonstrate the work you’ve completed for various clients. Include testimonials or feedback from satisfied clients, which adds credibility to your abilities.

In Europe, freelancers working in web development and data science can expect to earn between €20 and €75 per hour, depending on their experience and the project’s complexity.

In Spain, the average freelancer in tech earns approximately €25-€40 per hour, whereas, in the U.S., rates can be higher, ranging from $30 to $100 per hour.

Source: Upwork Freelance Earnings Report

Step 6: Specialise in High-Demand Tech Areas

Focusing on high-demand tech areas can set you apart from others entering the industry, even if you don’t have a formal computer science degree.

Why Specialising Matters: LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise report shows roles in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science have seen the most significant growth.

Specialising in these areas can provide job security and more lucrative salaries. For example, cybersecurity roles are expected to grow by 35% over the next decade** due to the increasing importance of digital security.

Top Areas to Specialise In:

  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
  2. Cybersecurity
  3. Cloud Computing
  4. Data Science and Big Data

How to Specialise:

  1. Choose an area that aligns with your interests and market demand.
  2. Take specialised courses or bootcamps. For example, CodeOp offers programs focused on data science and AI specifically for women, trans, and non-binary people.
  3. Work on specialised projects to showcase your skills in that field.

Step 7: Job Searching and Landing a Role

Once you’ve built up your technical skills through bootcamps, online courses, or self-study, the final step is finding a job. Job searching in tech without a formal CS degree may seem daunting, but it’s possible with the right strategies.

Here’s how we teach our students to do it:

1. Tailor Your Resume and Portfolio:

Highlight your coding skills, projects, and contributions. Make sure your portfolio showcases a variety of projects that demonstrate your versatility and technical abilities.

2. Target Entry-Level and Junior Roles:

Even without a CS degree, many companies are willing to hire junior developers or data analysts if you demonstrate a solid foundation of skills and a willingness to learn.

3. Leverage Your Network:

Many jobs are never posted on job boards. Instead, they are filled through referrals. Use your network—both online (LinkedIn, Twitter) and in-person (meetups, conferences)—to connect with people in the industry.

4. Freelance and Contract Work:

Freelancing or contract work can be a great way to build experience, expand your portfolio, and potentially transition into a full-time role. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer freelance opportunities in web development, app development, data analytics, and more.

As I mentioned earlier, people in the States are actively transitioning from part-time freelancing to full-time freelancing and making a career out of it.

5. Job Boards:

Websites like LinkedIn, AngelList, and We Work Remotely often have job listings for tech roles that don’t require a CS degree.

Tailor your search for junior positions or internships, often focusing more on skills and potential than educational background.

Stand Out During Interviews:

  • Prepare for Technical Interviews: Many companies use coding challenges for their interview process. To sharpen your problem-solving skills, practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and Codewars.
  • Emphasise Your Projects and Practical Experience: Show employers that even without a degree, you’ve gained hands-on experience through bootcamps, freelance work, or open-source contributions.

With the right approach and consistent effort, landing a job in tech without a CS degree is achievable. And if you are one of CodeOp’s students from our bootcamps, we help you in landing your first dream job.

CodeOp isn’t about teaching you how to program, but to help women, trans and nonbinary people achieve their goals within the STEM industry.

Author: Katrina Walker
CEO & Founder of CodeOp,
An International Tech School for Women, Trans and Nonbinary People
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I relocated to South Europe in 2016 to explore the growing tech scene from a data science perspective. After working as a data scientist in both the public...
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