The Old Argument Resurfaces: Do You Need a CS Degree to Be a Good Engineer?
A recent blog post argues that a formal computer science degree combined with strong algorithmic problem-solving skills remains the most reliable path to becoming a capable software engineer. The author pushes back against the popular narrative that bootcamps, self-teaching, or building side projects are sufficient substitutes for structured CS education, especially when it comes to understanding fundamentals like data structures, complexity theory, and systems design.
The piece has stirred a modest but pointed discussion on Hacker News, with commenters split between those who credit formal training for making them better engineers and others who point to successful self-taught developers as counterexamples.
This debate is a recurring one in tech circles, resurfacing whenever hiring trends shift or layoffs make competition for engineering roles fiercer.