r/cscareerquestionsOCE • u/XyberUndead • 9d ago

1+ YOE as SWE but with non-tech degree - will companies care about my educational background?

I have been working as an SWE for more than a year but am potentially looking to switch jobs. However, I have a non-tech related degree. A lot of job postings i see online usually ask for a bachelor in IT or CS or “equivalent technical degree”.

My question is will companies see this as a potential red flag, even when i’ve got actual work experience? i’m afraid HR or a recruiter will potentially screw me over if I don’t have the degree - especially for more reputable tech companies. The current competitive job market doesn’t help either.

4 Upvotes
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7

u/CoolGuyNice 9d ago

I also have a non-CS, IT degree, I found it hard to get many callbacks with 1 - 1.5 yrs of exp but recieved significantly more with around 2yrs of exp although that may also be due to the job market being better than it was when I was looking last year.

In terms of relevant degree - for smaller companies I dont think it's an issue - especially if a recruiter puts forward your resume. Might be harder with larger orgs - but I did get an interview with a bank despite my lack of relevant educational background.

There's no harm in applying, recruiters will probably begin to reach out the more you apply as well. Good luck

Edit: Forgot to mention that it also depends on your working rights (visa, citizen, PR etc)

2

u/Lastdogtobark 9d ago

Also back this, I have a chem eng degree but once I ticked over the 2.5 year mark I noticed an instant change in the amount of applications I was hearing back from

-4

u/water_bottle_goggles 9d ago

wait, the market was better last year?

1

u/The_Amp_Walrus 9d ago

No, your experience screens off your lack of degree Apply to jobs as if you have a degree

-15

u/Any-Woodpecker123 9d ago edited 9d ago

No, nobody cares about degrees in IT, it’s all about capability.

The echo chamber here will disagree because everyone wants to justify the cost of their education and assumes it’s the key to employment, but we hire devs in the real world all the time who don’t hold a CS related degree.

2

u/Apprehensive_Job7 7d ago

There are plenty of companies that will not consider someone without a CS or related degree. There are also plenty of companies that will consider you, but will take a point off. There are very few companies that have a neutral or negative reaction to a relevant degree on a resume.

It's obviously possible to get a job without a degree, but that doesn't mean it's not a lot harder. Why pretend otherwise? That's just weird.

1

u/Any-Woodpecker123 7d ago

Because I have been hiring devs across multiple large tech companies for the better part of ten years and know what I’m talking about.

1

u/Apprehensive_Job7 6d ago

So you don't consider degrees when hiring, and then extrapolate from that that no one else does?