I would rather get a degree in software engineering than computer science IMHO.

You can keep your degrees and debt while I'm over here with neither.

10 years of experience is greater than any degree.

@200OK sounds great to me, where can I start. If I wasn't halfway done, I'd gtfo of this degree plan, it's all bullshit

@200OK I am developing an app, tutoring students online in programming and veraciously reading as much as possible to grow. I only have 2 1/2 years under my belt though. To be honest I have considered not getting a degree and to just keep doing what I am doing while also contributing to open source whenever I can. Would you say this is practical as well?

@iam13islucky I started part time at a small dev shop. Wasn't a great learning experience but it was experience. I stayed there for 2 years.. eventually made senior since the only senior dev there quit.

I then started to take on contract jobs and moved all over the US. That's where I started learning what I needed to learn. Now, I work from home employed by the largest government contracted dev company in the US.

@dalastTomCruise read above. Another good idea is to start your own business. Write code... do your tutoring under that business name. That way you can use that as.. hey look.. I'm ambitious enough with my skills and love coding that I started a business.

@200OK haha. You make starting a business sound like a walk in the park. It's a separate entity all together. How would I get financing for my company? Assuming the product I create is conceptually original and practical how will I go about recruiting? Most likely I will need help and time to develop something of enough quality to propel my company in the right direction. Doing all this while I have bills to pay doesn't sound practical at all. I would rather code for a start up getting paid and possibly some equity. Then I can either stick with the company if it takes off or use the experience I gained there as leverage on my resume.

@dalastTomCruise It is really easy in the US. Technically, if you are making money, you are a business entity. Starting an LLC would only cost $100 - $300 depending on your state fees.

After that, all you would need is a business bank account, which Capital One has for free, and just make sure your business is separate from your personal assets.

Starting a business is way easier than you think. You don't need much money if your business does not require much money.

Also, you can get a Business Address from UPS for $120 per year if you do not want to use your home address.

@200OK ok getting set up and established as a business isn't the part I am worried about. The long term sustainability and marketing my product would need to get a big enough user base for me to even have any financial growth is what I am worried about.

@dalastTomCruise the point of the business is not to live off of, it's to gain reputable experience. If you make less than $200 that year you don't even need to worry about taxes.

Your "product" would be you. Any services that you happen to offer as a freelancer would just go under that business name instead.

I completely agree. I'm in college for Computer Science, because there is no Software engineering major, but I am in a program to get a master's for SE so it all works out