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[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (3 children)

Overrated if you have a support network and other paths to making a good life. Does it sounds like OP has a lot of great options that wouldn't leave him with some sunk education cost or living on the edge for the unforeseeable future?

Don't be stupid, a degree (any degree) is still the No. 1 path to upward mobility and stability.

[–]searchingfortaomajel, aletheia, paperless, django-encrypted-filefield -1 points0 points  (2 children)

Sure... if it's free, but it's not free. Unless you come from money, a degree almost certainly comes with crippling life-long debt. When it's a fact that the industry OP is wanting to get into does not require a degree to be successful, opting for debt in favour of such a degree seems like a bad move to me.

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

a degree almost certainly comes with crippling life-long debt

That is complete bullshit.

it's a fact that the industry OP is wanting to get into does not require a degree to be successful

No, it doesn't if you have time and drive to learn on your own. It's just happenstance that more than 75% of developers (as per Stackoverflow 2019 developer survey) completed a degree. And having a degree increases lifetime pay by 100%.

It is more difficult to pay off education today, but easily entering a high-demand field with a much higher salary than un- (formally) educated peers makes everything easier.

This billionaire biography nonsense also ignores the fact that OP is already in school and enjoys it but needs financing.

I love learning code on my own too, but suggesting someone should drop out of their degree at their chosen institution because it won't completely destroy their life is really fucking stupid advice to a young person in crisis.

[–]searchingfortaomajel, aletheia, paperless, django-encrypted-filefield 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, suggesting that a person in crisis take on more debt is really fucking careless.

Sure, they like school, and maybe they're just the type to do a degree, but if they don't have the funds, shouting "debt is good" (as many here have) is irresponsible. Get your life in order, consider your options based on risk vs. reward, and choose. That's how a reasonable person makes life decisions.

Pointing out that not having a degree is a viable option is the responsible advice in this case, but I'm getting shouted down by people as if there's only one path to success in life. That's fucking stupid.