A Computer Science degree is a glorified art degree.
Hey guys, let’s talk about something that’s gonna trigger half the internet. I’m about to tell you why that Computer Science degree you’re grinding for (or already paid for) is basically an expensive piece of paper. And before you start sending angry emails, hear me out.
I’ve worked with hundreds of engineers over the years. You know what I’ve noticed? The best ones didn’t major in CS. Plot twist, right?
The Big Lie Everyone Believes
So here’s the thing. Universities have convinced an entire generation that you need to pay $200K to learn… what exactly? How to code? You can learn that on YouTube for free. Data structures and algorithms? LeetCode has you covered.
But here’s what really gets me. CS programs are selling you this fantasy of guaranteed tech jobs and six-figure salaries. Meanwhile, the industry just laid off like 200,000 people. Oops.
I’m not making this up. Go check the numbers:
- Meta: 21,000 people gone¹
- Amazon: 18,000 people gone²
- Google: 12,000 people gone³
Guess who got hit hardest? Junior developers with fresh CS degrees and zero real experience. Brutal.
What You Actually Learn in CS (Spoiler: It’s Not Much)
Let me break down what you’re actually paying for:
Year 1-2: Basic programming in Java (because apparently it’s still 2005), some math you’ll never use, and “computer fundamentals” taught by professors who haven’t touched production code since the Clinton administration.
Year 3: Data structures! Algorithms! Big O notation! You know how many times I’ve calculated Big O at work? Zero. You know what I do calculate? Whether this AWS bill is gonna bankrupt the company.
Year 4: Some electives, maybe an internship if you’re lucky, and a senior project that’s basically a glorified to-do app.
Total practical skills gained: You can fizzbuzz and maybe build a calculator. Congratulations, you’re now $80K in debt.
The Real World Doesn’t Care About Your GPA
Here’s some real talk. I’ve been in countless hiring meetings. You know what we look at?
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Can you actually build stuff? Show me your GitHub. Show me something you deployed that real people use.
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Can you solve problems? Not leetcode problems. Real problems. Like “the server’s down and customers are angry” problems.
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Can you learn fast? Because everything you learned in school will be obsolete in 2 years anyway.
Nobody—and I mean nobody—has ever asked to see my transcript. They care about results.
The YouTube University Alternative
Want to know a secret? Everything good about CS education is available for free online. And it’s usually better because it’s taught by people who actually work in the industry.
Want to learn React? There are literally thousands of free tutorials. Pick one, build something, deploy it. Boom, you’re ahead of 90% of CS graduates.
Want to understand algorithms? 3Blue1Brown explains them better than any professor, and his videos don’t cost $5,000 per credit hour.
Want to learn system design? There are entire YouTube channels dedicated to this. Plus you can actually experiment with real systems instead of drawing boxes on whiteboards.
The best part? You can pause, rewind, and learn at your own pace. Try doing that in a lecture hall with 300 other students.
But What About Networking and Connections?
“But what about networking? What about alumni connections?”
Look, I get it. Universities love to sell this networking angle. But here’s the reality: most of your classmates are gonna be competing with you for the same entry-level positions. That’s not networking, that’s competition.
Real networking happens when you:
- Contribute to open source projects
- Attend local meetups and conferences
- Build cool stuff that people notice
- Actually help other developers solve problems
These connections are way more valuable than some dude you sat next to in Discrete Math.
The Opportunity Cost is Insane
This is the part that really gets me. While you’re spending 4 years memorizing textbook algorithms, other people are:
- Building actual companies
- Getting real work experience
- Learning skills that matter
- Making money instead of going into debt
I know people who started freelancing at 18 and had 6 years of real experience by the time their peers graduated. Guess who’s making more money(me)?
If You’re Dead Set on College…
Look, maybe your parents are forcing you to get a degree. Maybe you need it for visa reasons. I get it.
But please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t major in Computer Science. Here are better options:
Electrical Engineering: At least you’ll understand how computers actually work. Plus if software doesn’t work out, you can design electric car batteries or something.
Math or Physics: These build actual problem-solving skills that transfer everywhere.
Business: Learn how to understand customers and markets. Technical skills without business sense = expensive hobby.
Any of these will give you better thinking frameworks than memorizing sorting algorithms.
What You Should Actually Do
Here’s my advice, and I’m giving this away for free (unlike universities):
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Pick a problem you care about and build something to solve it. Doesn’t matter if it’s small.
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Learn by doing. Build projects, break stuff, fix stuff. Repeat.
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Share what you build. Put it on GitHub, write about it, show it to people.
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Find a community. Join Discord servers, Reddit communities, local meetups. Help other people and ask for help.
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Apply for jobs way before you think you’re ready. You’ll learn more in one interview than in a semester of classes.
This path takes 12-18 months of focused effort. Not 4 years of debt and theoretical nonsense.
The Uncomfortable Truth
The tech industry is changing fast. The era of hiring anyone with a pulse and a CS degree is over. Companies want people who can actually build things and solve real problems.
CS degrees are training people for a job market that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s like getting a degree in newspaper journalism in 2010. Technically a real field, but probably not the best bet for your future.
Meanwhile, the people who are thriving? They’re the ones who never stopped learning, who build cool stuff, who adapt quickly to new technologies.
The choice is yours. You can spend 4 years and $200K getting an outdated education, or you can start building your future today.
What’s it gonna be?
P.S. - Yes, I know this is going to trigger people. Yes, I know some of you have CS degrees and turned out fine. I’m not saying it’s impossible to succeed with a CS degree. I’m saying there are much better paths that don’t involve crushing debt and outdated curriculum. Think about it.
¹ Meta layoffs 2023-2024, TechCrunch ² Amazon layoffs 2022-2024, Reuters ³ Google layoffs 2023, BBC News