bootcampcareer-switchself-taught

Bootcamp vs self-taught vs degree — looking back, did the path actually matter?

Anonymous12 Jul 2026

Trying to figure out how to make my career switch and I'm stuck comparing paths. Bootcamp is fast but expensive and I hear the market's rough for grads right now. Self-teaching is cheap but I worry about gaps and discipline. A second degree feels like too much time and money.

For those already working: which path did you take, and honestly — did it matter a year or two in, or did nobody care once you had something real to show?

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Anonymous13 Jul 2026
Looking back 5 years in: the path mattered for landing the first interview and basically nothing after. The degree opened a couple of early doors; past job #2 literally no one has asked. What actually compounded was shipping things and being someone people wanted to work with. Pick the path you can afford and finish, then let the work speak.
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Anonymous12 Jul 2026
Self-taught here, and a year in literally nobody has asked about my 'path' — they asked what I built and how I think. Whatever gets you to real projects fastest and keeps you consistent is the right one for you. Market's rough regardless, so I'd optimize for lowest cost + your own discipline.
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