Formal Degree vs. Self-Taught: Pros and Cons
November 18th, 2010 by Tweet
Did you gain your knowledge in the field of Web Design and Development through a formal degree program or are you self-taught? Which worked best for you? In this post, I will discuss my opinion on each, but I want to hear your opinions as well! Throughout my 10+ years in the computer world, I have done a mixture of both degree programs and actual real world field experience, where I was expected to teach myself. In January 2011, I will be starting my Masters in Information Technology, with a Concentration in Web Design and Development.
For the first time, I will be getting a degree in the area I actually work in! I am very excited about this; however, I know my 10 years of real work experienced where I was forced to teach myself has also been extremely valuable. Thus, in this post, I have come up with pros and cons of a formal education without actual training, as well as pros and cons of being purely self-taught; so you, as the web developer or designer, can decide which one works for you. Feel free to add some additional tips, and please comment as to what you prefer and why!! I hope you find this advice useful, and I look forward to hearing your opinions as well!
Formal Degree at a University or College:
Pros:
1. The ability to make a higher income the majority of the time.
2. Many jobs require a degree.
3. You do not have to prove your knowledge as much, as clients generally have more trust in a degree.
4. You get to hang your accomplishment on your wall for clients to see.
5. More respect from fellow colleauges.
6. The ability to possibily work in academia.
7. The degree gives you an edge against other equally talented designers or developers.
8. Generally more well rounded in areas of business, communication, and writing, which can help you in your career.
9. More access to resources in which allows you to practice and use, like my university allows me to download programs at a reduced price.
10. Makes your resume stronger and more competitive.
Cons:
1. Very expensive, which is not affordable to many people. Even the lesser online degrees still cost a good amount.
2. Requires you to study fields you are not interested in, and you may even feel to be a waste of time.
3. Most of the time with designers and developers, it is hard to apply real world applications in the university setting.
4. Difficult to work at the same time, so income and experience is limited.
5. In an area like design and development the technology advances so quickly that most of the time the university cirriculum is outdated.
6. Difficult to find programs specifically tailored to web design and development, as many are required to study either Graphic Design or Computer Science, when Web Dev is really a combination of both.
Self-taught through Tutorials, Books, and Real World Work Experience:
Pros:
1. Being able to actually do something is better than just having a title.
2. You are able to focus on exactly what you want to learn and what you need to learn.
3. You have the ability to learn from your mistakes.
4. You actually learn the practical application of your field.
5. You can get paid to learn, rather than having to pay to learn.
6. Some companies offer paid training, paid continuing education, and paid professional development.
7. The ability to work as a team and brainstorm ideas, as well as having mentors is your field to teach you rather than teachers.
8. You are not sheltered or naive, as many fresh graduates are.
Cons:
1. May not be able to apply to certain positions that require a degree.
2. You may not be able to work in administration or managment, and you will surely not be able to work in academia.
3. You only learn from yourself, and you have little to no other outlets or resources.
4. You may lack actually “book sense”.
5. Your income is almost always lower than a person with a degree.
6. Despite your actual knowledge or talent, you may not be taken seriously without a degree.
7. Though you may know a lot and have great talent, without a degree you may lack the funtamentals.
Conclusion:
Now this article was just for argument sake; so I was applying the extremes of the two. In my opinion, a mixture of the two would be the ideal case! In conclusion, your own experience and/or specific situation will assist you in determining whether an actual degree or just teaching yourself is your cup of tea. But, one thing to consider is maybe to look into certain online certificates in web design or development, IT, programming, or design,which can help you have the best of both worlds. You can have a piece of paper to show potential employers, and you do not have to actually step foot in a University setting. Anyway, I hope in the comment section you share your experiences and opinions on the topic!
Also, tomorrow, stay tuned for a list of schools that focus on Web Design and Development either through a certificate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees, if you are looking to formally study in the field!
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Teylor Feliz is a well-known XHTML/CSS/JavaScript enthusiast from Dominican Republic. He has more than 10 years experience in the computer programming, graphic design, and web development world, including 2 years teaching computer science. Teylor has a degree in Applied Sciences from the University of Louisiana and is completing a Master’s degree in IT with a concentration in Web Design and Development, at the University of Denver.
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Quite true. I’m more self-taught than educated by school, although I did follow classes back in the days on how to use Photoshop and code in different languages (although I already knew that).
The way I see it: a degree is only a piece of paper. It doesn’t proof you can actually do something except achieve a score high enough to get the degree, wether that score is obtained by cheating, being able to make something, or really understanding what you’re doing (which, ofcourse, is what it’s all about).
So, just show what you can do, not if you have a piece of beige-ish paper with your name in bold-faced type and an autograph.
Just my two cents.
Thanks for the list!
Cheers,
Michiel
Interesting topic. I think a good school should give you the instruments to learn and approach problems correctly and the explanations of the theory on which some rules are based (for example: why the rule of thirds often works, basics on color perception, …). This would save you a lot of time in real life and avoid inventing again the wheel. Then I agree that real life and real work are very different from school classes and in this field you proof you are good or not just through your designs.
Which do you think helped you better?
In my experience a degree does not guarantee success, i’ve graduated this past summer and i’ve still to nail down my first design job.
A lot of problems i’ve had steam from the department i was unlucky enough to be a part of. If you have a strong design department who are prepared to help the complete class and not just a percentage of it then you are going to be in better standing for when you complete your degree.
In my case im still battling hard for people to notice my work and take me on.
@jared: that’s how we all start. I think that the best way to make a name for yourself is to not stop working, but think of stuff to do and create a neat portfolio filled with examples.
Once you have that you can go and use it to show your skills. It’s an extra plus in a world (or business if you like) where seeing is believing.
Best of luck to you!
I’ve been in the business for 10 years as well, and have worked for a lot of different companies. Not one of those who required a degree actually ever asked if I had one.
and i don’t. Just sayin’.
I taught myself web & graphic design over 11 years ago, went to school 5 years after I started, and really regret it. I felt like all I learned were shortcuts, to processes i already knew. Plus nothing is like real world / real client experience, everything I learned in school was out the door, once I got my first client call. Just my experience thats all.
I dont support the point that self taught person cant earn as much as degree holder person
Nice article, I actually study at a university that combines real work with education. We get to work on projects for real life clients and get the support of teachers and mentors. It’s actually the ideal combination of the two sides you mention. Hope it pays off when I graduate, but it surely gives you the ability to learn through trial and error and from being taught.
I’m a self-taught web/graphic designer. What I have found with those taught in a formal setting is that they are usually behind the advances in technology and design as mentioned above. I can see the pros and cons for each though.
Very good article on weighing the pros and cons of formal degree vs self taught I believe that a combination of both formal degree coupled with self-learning would be great which can ehnance u r horizons of learning
Thanks for writing about this. I appreciate the number and validity of “pro’s” pertaining to the “self taught” category.
I liken it to the plethora of free fonts at the disposal of web surfers alike, in it’s seemingly endless streams. Many are– not of the best quality, to put it gently.
But then, there are those undeniably amazing fonts, that defy the ‘free font stereotype.’
Similarly when it comes to web design and development as well, those self-taught very often achieve great success.
I for one, can’t begin to describe how much I would love to study this-that-I-love! Someday, while I am still close to young I hope!
Thanks again for writing on this. Though I would love a formal education in design, I really appreciate that this article is not condescending in regards to being self-taught.
Very good article on weighing the pros and cons of formal degree vs self taught I believe that a combination of both formal degree coupled with self-learning would be great which can ehnance u r horizons of learning
[...] Formal Degree vs. Self-Taught: Pros and Cons [...]
Excellent article. I am in the process of looking at changing careers into a graphic design/web design field. The one thing I have noticed in most of the job offers that I have seen is a degree is a requirement, unfortunately. I live in a small area, where access to such a program is pretty well out of the question. I have looked at some of the online degree programs, and the hardest part is finding one that is accredited and legitimate. I have a wealth of resources available online to learn these things on my own, but it really seems like the jobs may be a bit more limited without that coveted piece of paper.
This should be entitled “Purely Self Taught vs. Purely Formally Taught” if one is to impose the dichotomy that I believe you have. Not to sound rude, as you have sidestepped any negativity relating to either path choice. However, I’m not sure that you did both sides justice. Surely, you intended for feedback anyway, so let me share my view.
First off, I graduated with a degree in computer science and math. Web development is my field now, which I didn’t know anything about when I gradated from school three years ago. I had to do a lot of self teaching to get up to speed in this field. You can’t say that formally taught individuals don’t do self teaching — they just don’t do it necessarily prior to entering the workforce. I did — just not in web development. It was not an interest as with most cs people, my artistic abilities are fairly limited. I just can’t tell if it’s “right” or not
Thankfully a backend coder has his place regardless of his ability to draw, so it has been a great place to work as a puzzle piece in the big picture.
One thing I can attest to is salary. It’s unfortunate, but the conversations I’ve had with non-degree holding professionals (with more experience than I have) didn’t go over to well. I felt so awkward, wishing I could roll back time and say to them, “No I won’t tell you my salary!” I’ve only done this twice and one time I made double what the guy made (5 years exp him vs 2 me), and another time I made 30% more (2 1/2 years exp. me vs 15 him). They both asked me this question because they wondered if it would be worthwhile for them to finish their degree…
Having an unrelated degree doesn’t seem to hurt professionals so much. I’ve met some amazingly gifted IT professionals who had degrees in history for some odd reason. I would have never been so brave to have gone this way. In the fall, I’m starting my masters in software engineering. Do I think I can learn this on my own? Yes. Do I think the paper will be a ticket to a higher salary, and a source of greater respect and confidence from my peers and future subordinates? Absolutely. Do I think the system is slightly flawed ? Sure, but in my mind, I might as well take advantage of the way it works.
I wish the best to all who have chosen or will choose either path. My father was a brilliant mechanical engineer, who never finished his engineering degree. Because of this and the fact that I’m not a jerk, I’d never look down upon someone without the degree. I’ve seen first-hand that both approaches have their merits, and difficulties. I have to tell you though — my dad is amazed at how much easier I have it than he did at my age. He paid for my school because he wanted me to have it easier than he did. He didn’t want my career to be a fight to get up the ladder. I’m forever grateful.
I was gonna say that, but I see you saw that I actually wrote that in the article
Yes, I think a mixture is ideal! Glad you agree
Thank for commenting!
Oh, and I just read your comment wherein you said a mixture of the two is ideal. I feel foolish, as I somehow missed that. Should have put my reading glasses on