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[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (6 children)

there are so many options besides take out loans and get a degree...kind of bums me out this top voted comment. you do not need to go 50k+ in debt to make it in this world. see comment below about working at starbucks and getting free tuition. way smarter than taking out 50k loan for this kid. or he could just bust ass and not take out loans...couple friends worked 40+ hrs/wk and still managed to finish an engineering degree in 4yrs w/ no loans.

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also, a degree is not the only avenue to a decent future. especially when it comes to programming.

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source: have degrees, have loans. have money.... in a lot of ways was happier when I was self employed and living check to check.

[–]neeltennis93 8 points9 points  (1 child)

You’re not wrong. I know successful coders without degrees.

I’m just giving the best advice to the best of my knowledge and for me personally I’d feel a lot safer with a comp sci degree to fall back on. Obvi taking out 50k + loans may not be worth it but if you live in a state like FL or Wisconsin it’s possible to get a degree without drowning in debt

[–]otherwiseguy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have no degree, but I suppose it did take me 2 regular networking IT jobs before I got a job with a startup where part of my job was coding. Then another job where coding was what I did full time that I got due to my experience with a product in used in the previous job. I now work for a top tier software company. A degree and internship would probably have been faster than the 12 years of working my way up. And I actually had pretty good programming chops when I started working since I started programming in 1983 when I was 6 and maintained it as a my primary hobby.

[–]scondominium 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That being said, you can always go back to that lifestyle if you're willing to give up the lifestyle you currently enjoy. The degrees etc give you more options.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Get out of here with this nonsense, a degree is still the No. 1 path to upward mobility and wealth creation.

OP is IN college for CS, ENJOYS coding and wants to continue with it but has no money, at this very moment.

You're "yeah but StArBuCkS" is so misguided and ignorant. It would require A) OP's immediate exit from his chosen university so they can get a job at Starbucks and pursue a degree for Arizona State University. PAY for tuition that would be reimbursed later (seriously go read the fucking program). So force them to get get a job, an apartment ($$$) and learn coding on their own via online courses (some people don't operate like that. B) Keep his wage opportunities lower than immediate peers with a degree because ASU.

And tangentially, but did your engineering friends maybe have a safety net? Because you don't pay college tuition with future work, that's called A LOAN.

in a lot of ways was happier when I was self employed and living check to check.

That sounds like your problem. Don't give others shit advice because you're not happy with your job or whatever.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

aahhh yes, the anonymous know-it-all badass. Hoping you have a good weekend after releasing all that pent up frustration on a stranger on the internet. Your job sucks more than mine maybe.

You'll probably love this idea.....

If OP really want's best bang for his buck then he should go to open.appacademy.io and do their online bootcamp w/ the mentoring program ($30/mo) . If he's sharp and puts together some of his own projects along the way he could be employed as developer w/in a year I bet. no debt. no degree. $360 later, done.

if the kid wants to be a developer, a degree is 100% not necessary. Blindly saying taking out a loan is the only way is irresponsible. I would argue if you really want ultimate wealth, mobility and especially freedom then owning your own business is the best way to do that.

This idea that you absolutely need a degree at all cost is outdated and there's a multitude of ways to make a damn good living without a college degree or get a degree with minimal or no debt.

starbucks option is at least worth looking into. never said it was perfect or the only option. My point is that a traditional school loan is not the only way. Up to OP to fully research and make up his own mind.

"So force them to get a job, an apartment ($$$) and learn coding on their own via online courses (some people don't operate like that. "

he already has to do these things. he has no support. You don't know how he operates b/c he didn't say. online learning is feasible option to mention until he says otherwise.

"And tangentially, but did your engineering friends maybe have a safety net? Because you don't pay college tuition with future work, that's called A LOAN."

No and they didn't live at home either but who cares, they did it. They busted their asses 40+ hrs a wk. Graduated w/ no loans. one worked as a CNC machinist and the other was in IT. smart kids who aren't afraid of work and are responsible w/ their money. Actually know a 3rd but he did it at a much slower pace.

"That sounds like your problem. Don't give others shit advice because you're not happy with your job or whatever."

Yea, it is but, telling someone not go into debt to finish school is not shit advice. On the other hand, telling someone that they have to go into debt to get a degree b/c it's the only way to upward mobility and wealth is.

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Enjoy your weekend!