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Comment by Radzell | Hacker News Reader

I actually go to university now i started doing programming and built my own business at 16. I learned more than I have ever learned in school. I am really contemplating just going into working for a startup. I heard startups don't care if you have a degree, but I haven't heard back from any I have applied for. So if anyone could post whether they care if someone goes to Uni or if experience is enough.

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It very much depends on the employer. I've hired people who haven't studied Computer Science (or even a science or engineering degree) and found that they can be a mixed bag. Generally they can program, but the quality of their code and the way they approach problems isn't always as good as people who have been taught Computer Science.

Also, and please don't take this the wrong way as you were posting on HN, not applying for a job, but if you don't have a degree I'd expect you to be more than just a great programmer. The structure of your first sentence would ring alarm bells for me. It's not just your technical abilities that are important but all your skills, including communication.

>> the quality of their code and the way they approach problems isn't always as good as people who have been taught Computer Science.

Might want to get your degree'ed nose out of the air, you might trip over the next obstacle that lies in your path.

Yes I am a senior in college and some people don't like the way I type. That is one of my fears that I will get a grammer nazi who cares how things are typed or a boss at a startup thats a jerk. Without a degree it would be difficult to find someone else. I'm not sure how a degree would make my grammar any more align with ideal north american lexicon, but it would give me better flexibility to quit a company.

At startups...no one cares (or even usually respects) a uni degree. At large established companies like google or FB that's different.

I have friends that have taken jobs in silicon valley that say that at the interviews no one ever even asked about education.

At startups, they care more about what you can do. I would much rather hire a coder with 4 years experience than a fresh grad. I would like to see an active github account rather than a degree. Show me what you can do!!

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