Do you require an university degree to become an IT specialist?
IT has one of the lowest entry barriers, as no degree is required to get a job. But can you become a specialist without it?
Education for working in IT is like salt for baking bread: It's not mandatory, and you may not perceive it, but the bread tastes better with it.
No one will request a diploma for hiring you as a developer. Even worse, no one will give you a raise after completing a course. However, a degree puts you in a better position to go through your IT career.
Education benefits
First of all, let's classify education into 2 different groups:
- Long courses, such as University.
- Certifications, which may or may not include a short course and a final exam.
I dispense stacking certifications and specialization courses for IT workers. Moreover, I'm not impressed by someone who claims to possess N certifications.
The reason is that passing a test or completing a course has nothing to do with actual knowledge and how to apply it.
Certifications are nothing more than a marketing tool today. I've met many entry-level developers who got certified by only studying questions and answers from other people's tests.
However, I particularly respect the skills you gain at University.
This is not about the diploma but the path to get you there. You get foundational technical knowledge and cultivate your discipline during your university years.
Leverage those 2 skills, and you will build a thriving IT career.
Formal education is optional, but it will make it easier for you to become a specialist.
On the other hand, experience is mandatory for becoming a specialist.
Experience
To continue with the baked bread analogy, experience is the flour of your bread.
Introduce yourself as an IT specialist before completing 5 years in your area, and you will come across as arrogant at best. This is not only about time; you must go through different situations (experiences) to reach that level. And it does take time.
The good news? Experience is simply built:
- Dedicate time and focus on your work.
- Be open to learning.
- Assume responsibilities.
Conclusion
Although not required, a university degree will help you to build your IT career.
Keep in mind that an outstanding set of skills, certifications, or courses will not do all the work for you. Complement them with experience, and you will become a specialist sooner than you think.