Personal question, but I had to drop out a couple years ago as a Math/CS senior. I felt like the clock was really ticking back then to get my foot in the door. I'm considering re-enrolling (only two terms remaining), would it be better to wait until if/when the market has recovered so I can enter the market with a fresh degree? I worry a downside of completing it now would be a stale degree by the time the job market recovers. Assuming equal job experience, employers seem to prefer fresh graduates. But you know what they say about time in the market vs timing the market..
How much would it cost to complete your degree? Could you take online or CC courses that you could transfer to your old program?
While having no degree hasn't historically been much of a blocker, during a weaker job market credentials can and do play a role in tie breaking during hiring.
Honestly, even a WGU style bachelors degree can be enough depending on years of experience.
Not much given that it's a state school and I only have two terms (6-8 courses) remaining. I'll probably re-enroll this fall, perhaps I've been too negative. Thanks for the input.
That said, be strategic when re-enrolling - if you have a job today, hold on to it tightly and try to finish your program remotely and/or via transfer credits. Finishing a degree at the expense of having a job today is really dumb given the current market.
If you can take low cost and/or remote offerings from a CC or normal college, you can continue to hold a job. Also, most colleges now offer their courses online for credit - even Stanford and Harvard type programs. I'm sure your original program offers a significant portion of it's coursework online for credit.
Finally, Ds get degrees. You can skirt with the bare minimum and you'll be fine. If you are mid-career and kept your day job, no one will ask about your GPA.
Yeah, I have to keep my job or I can't afford to live (non-CS/blue collar job however). I'm done with CC, I only have two terms remaining to get a CS or Math degree now (was double majoring prior but life got in the way and will likely only complete one now). I'm unsure whether at this junction it'd be better to complete a math degree or CS degree, tbh.
My uni's online offerings drop off like a stone after a students sophomore year. Very little online classes for seniors, which has been a big problem for me as I work full time and live over an hour from campus. If I get a schedule change mid-term, I just have to drop out. It drive me nuts as this policy disproportionately impacts the lower income / higher expense students who can't afford to live in the city and need to work full time (i.e, we get 3/4 of the way through our degree via online classes and debt, then it becomes inaccessible as in-person requirements are required for completion). It's especially ironic as a CS major!
But anyway, I'll probably wrap it up this academic year if things remain stable for me, it's just a questionable time to complete a degree now more than ever. I just want to work on a team doing interesting, challenging work. If I could I'd go to grad school.
You are over analyzing this. It doesn’t matter. No one cares about when you graduated. You are going to need to hustle. If you are truly passionate about this industry you will make it work. Trying to fit some ideal on paper with timing is impossible
Thanks, you're probably right. I do feel that letting the dust settle on the AI layoff hype train might be prudent, but getting it done sooner is likely best.
Pursue a degree now to get you foot it the door sooner. I went back to school after a few year break. I also worked nights and weekends full time in the restaurant industry. It took sweat, tears, and burn out but over a decade later it’s 100% worth it.
