How to Become a Software Engineer without a Computer Science degree

Written by Princess Wilson

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg. Those names are not unfamiliar to you.

They are all incredibly prominent individuals who are often the point of reference for tech geniuses who made incredible innovations without a computer degree.

And just like these guys, this article will tell you how you can become a software engineer and who knows, you too may also develop outstanding innovations.

Here are a few tips on how you can become a software engineer without a computer science degree!

Identify why you want to be a software engineer

Before deciding to be a software engineer, you must first identify why you want to go down this career path.

This step is just as crucial for a young person with no work experience as it is for a much older person wishing to switch careers.

There is a rave around IT today, translating to excellent work conditions, substantial salaries, and a very promising job outlook.

And rightfully so, as technology fuels our world.

But while these are great reasons to be a software engineer, it is important to be genuinely passionate about technology.

This is because regardless of the field you choose to specialize in, it will certainly be a tedious learning process, and your genuine love for it will provide a significant boost and keep you going.

Research and choose a field

After making sure you’re choosing software engineering for the right reasons, it is time to do some research!

Software engineering is a considerably large field, and there are so many career paths you could choose from.

Do some online research and speak to mid-level software engineers in different specializations.

Access the information you gather and figure out the careers that align with your interests, goals, and strengths.

If you excel in visuals and have some interest in design, you may have a greater chance of excelling in frontend development rather than backend.

If your research narrows you down to two or more careers, try conducting more extensive research on each one.

Additionally, you could take advantage of online learning resources in any of these fields and try learning them.

This will further narrow your selection to a single role.

More than anything, you want to make sure you enjoy whatever area you choose to specialize in.

Enroll in a software engineering training

You’ve decided on a role you’d like to pursue; now it’s time to learn in earnest!

While you can decide to be self-taught and learn using the resources on the internet, this method may not work for everyone as it requires strong self-discipline and may just not be the ideal learning method for most people.

This is why I recommend tech fellowships, coding schools, or boot camps.

Enrolling in any of these programs, particularly Fellowship at The Bulb, provides an intense training experience, a chance to collaborate with peers, and engage physically with mentors.

Some learning programs, such as our Fellowship, also offer internship opportunities that provide work experience and a chance for fellows to secure full-time employment.

Work on projects and build a strong portfolio

Since you don’t have a university degree, a solid portfolio containing your most outstanding work is the only sure way to land a job and succeed as a software engineer.

Don’t wait to “finish learning” before you start working on projects.

Not only is it impossible to finish learning as tech is a constantly evolving field, but choosing not to work on projects will slow down your learning process.

As you pick up new skills in your training, put them to work.

This will accelerate your learning process, enhance your skills and boost your portfolio.

It is a win-win!

Contribute to open source projects and grow your skills with it.

Practice as much as possible. It will not be easy, so don’t expect it to be.

However, with consistent practice and learning, you will do fascinating work and build a competitive portfolio.

Acquire some experience: internship or volunteering

While contributing to open source projects, you can give a massive boost to your portfolio by gaining some work experience as well.

Consider interning or volunteering at companies based in industries that align with your overall goals.

As an intern or volunteer, you get to work in teams, build exciting projects and learn from senior software engineers.

It is also a great way to give your career a significant headstart, build solid relationships in your preferred industry and possibly gain full-time employment opportunities.

Set up a personal website to showcase your works

It’s a digital world, and since you’ve chosen to work in an industry powered by technology, the regular paper CVs will simply not do.

As a software engineer in today’s world, having your projects on a digital platform is as good as a resume, and it’s even more important for people without a computer science degree.

Setting up a personal website gives recruiters or anyone interested in your work the ability to visit the site and view your projects with ease.

Your website should include carefully selected projects, professional experience, skills, awards, certifications or licenses, and an ‘about me’ section that briefly describes who you are.

Build your network/join a community

You probably know the saying “no man is an island”. It very much applies in this case as well. The power of communities can not be overemphasized.

By joining a software engineering community, you can rapidly grow your skills, stay on top of the latest trends, and build strong relationships with industry peers and experts.

As an active member of a community, you get to build your network and possibly gain a mentor along the way!

Becoming a software engineer can be a tasking journey, particularly if you do not have a computer science degree, but this shouldn’t discourage you.

In fact, major companies like Google and Apple no longer have a university degree as a requirement.

So, as long as you apply yourself and put in the hard work to build your skills, you can exceed your expectations and become an outstanding software engineer.

The key is to practice as much as possible and never stop learning.

As usual, The Bulb Africa is here to help you through it all. Visit our Website to sign up for our fellowship program.