Ask HN: Software engineers that came back to school

2 points by Samisp 2 years ago | 3 comments

Hello, so I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance and after bouncing around odd jobs I learned to code - long story short I am now a software engineer with 6 years of experience.

I like my job, but the more I learn the more I go into the field the more I am drawn to the theoretical side of things, especially in distributed systems. An idea was brewing in my brain of maybe going back to university and try to get a PhD, maybe even do it somehow while I'm still working. But since my BsC is old and not in CS I was wondering if it's even an option without going back. And maybe I've waited far too long

Has anyone had any experience of going back to academia to study Computer Science after some years in the industry? How were the experiences? Was it worth it? Should I just learn on my own (I don't lack the motivation, I love learning) ?

Thanks

jonkiddy 2 years ago |

After 10+ years working as a web developer with a non-CS degree, I heard about Georgia Tech's OMSCS program [0] and signed up almost immediately. The timing was right for me and my family and my employer offered tuition reimbursement. I kept my day job and spent nights and weekends working on assignments and studying. It was challenging and learned quite a bit.

[0] https://omscs.gatech.edu/

Samisp 2 years ago | |

Any reason why you went back? What were your expectations and did it yield benefits? Are you planning on going further?

DamonHD 2 years ago |

Not quite the same, but I went back to do a theoretical comp sci MSc though I was running my own business, and now, ~30Y later, I'm back doing a PhD in a different field. The MSc was worthwhile, and the PhD seems to be so far.