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A CS degree is a waste of time and money. Are you really going to need to write a compiler at work? Go get a Security+, CCNA, RHCE, and MCSE in two - three years. Give yourself a personal MBA by reading these books: http://personalmba.com/best-business-books/

Join Toastmasters to learn public speaking: http://reports.toastmasters.org/findaclub/

Complete an online course about project management.

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Well, I concede formal education isn't much compared to hands-on experience, but public education is dirt cheap where I live, even free if you have a scholarship like I do (I'm French just so you know). So IMO, having a degree at such a price isn't useless nor a time/money sink - at least when comparing to US/UK, but I don't want to think it exempt me from working on my own on side projects.

I'll most likely need certifications, but my scholarship cannot cover that for now. I'll save up for those once I'm in a taskforce.

I do not mean to be so negative about higher education, or any education. I just believe getting a CS degree to learn how to program contemporary technologies is a poor path to take.

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