Different routes into a tech career
University
Pros
You will work on projects and assignments that will be useful to have as experience, which you can add in your CV, or about which you can talk in interviews.
You will meet so many people, from different cities, countries, continents and you will make new friends.
You can be part of societies, part of committees or even create your own society which will make your university years very eventful and full of fun and learning experiences.
Most companies require a Bachelors Degree and internships are only accessible for people in University.
After university, you can easier get a graduate job.
You learn to be more independent, not just in the way you learn academic content but also by living away from home
It's great for academic students looking to challenge themselves
You can opt for an industrial year in your third year and then return to the university and complete your degree. This will help you get more industrial experience and make you feel more prepared for working. You can go on to the CV, Applications and Interviews section to find out more about applying for jobs.
Cons
You will learn a lot of theoretical content, but there is less focus on practical skills
It costs a lot, unless you get a degree apprenticeship, but for most people it feels like a good investment
It takes 3-5 years of your life.
Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships
Pros
Build your professional network early - "your network is your net worth"
Gain industry experience much earlier than your peers - this means you're a lot more likely to progress in your chosen industry faster and at a younger age than people who go to university
Great way to build your confidence through your work experience and training
Guaranteed work experience (might not be the case if you go to university)
You get paid and earn qualifications at the same time
Lots of apprenticeships offer professional training and skills development that is useful for your career
Access to lots of opportunities such as tech conferences, networking events, panel events and more!
If you do a degree apprenticeship, you get your tuition fees paid for AND you get paid a salary! This means zero university debt
If you do a degree apprenticeship, you don't have to worry about finding internships during your degree as they'll already be sorted for you - it's great for job security
Cons
Less of a social experience than university (although this is improving, for example WhiteHat has organised several societies for their apprentice community)
Some jobs will start ask applicants to have a university degree (although this is starting to change as employers recognise that the best candidates do not necessarily come from a university background)
The salary for an apprentice is often lower than a graduate
Bootcamps / Online Courses / Coding schools
Pros
You can get certificates proving your knowledge in a very short amount of time, compared to a University degree.
You can choose a more niched thing which you want to focus on (e.g Machine Learning, ..)
Cons
It takes a lot of work from your side, and usually, it's harder to find someone that can quickly help you with your questions
You don't meet that many fellows, as in university
Self-taught
Pros
You learn at your own pace
You learn what you enjoy most
It's free (most of the times)
Cons
Sometimes you don't find the right resources. You might end up wasting your time on unnecessary or wrong resources.
You don't meet that many fellows as in university.
It's very hard to find someone that can quickly answer your questions or doubts, or that can track your progress
There are lot's of different ways you can start a career in tech, and there are many options for careers too! Remember, you do not need to know how to code to have a career in tech. You can be User Experience/User Interface Designer, Software Quality Tester, Data Analyst, Growth Hacker (marketing style role). There's lots of options out there to make sure you do your research. Check out the article below for some ideas.
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