In the context of evolving technology, the recruitment demand for the position of a computer engineer is becoming higher and higher than ever. Instead of receiving formal training at universities, many people pursue this profession without a degree.
So, how do you become a computer engineer without a degree?
Study, practice, and patiently accumulate experience for yourself! By seriously pursuing it with all your passion, you will succeed in your chosen profession.
Computer engineering consists of two main areas, hardware, and software. For each area, you need to take different steps to achieve the goal. Let’s explore each of them for more information.
Hardware Field
The hardware field of computer engineers is really difficult to conquer successfully. It includes too much technical knowledge that you can fully understand through formal training. But once you get serious about it, we think you should follow the steps below.
1. Accumulate Knowledge
Every beginning is always a premise for the success or failure of a whole working process. For a field as difficult to conquer as hardware, the most important thing you need to prepare is the patience to learn.
You should join training centers or classes to hone your hardware knowledge. Besides, it would help if you also learned through the Internet, studied documents, and actively participated in hands-on classes.
Once you’re confident with your body of knowledge, it’s time to move on to step 2!
2. Conquer The Certificate
Having certifications will make it easier for you to achieve the satisfaction of employers without a degree. So, any advice for which certifications you should take?
You can refer to the types of certifications before starting to plan to conquer the field of computer hardware, such as A+ (CompTIA), Server+ (CompTIA), CCT (Cisco), or BICSI Technician (BICSI). They are both well-known certifications and will help a lot in your process of becoming an engineer in this field.
3. Gain Experience
The final step for this journey is to put your knowledge into practice. After obtaining the certificate, what you are missing now is just practical experience!
Let’s start with small companies because they usually have very few requirements for computer hardware engineers.
Or, if you’re confident you’re superior, a few big accomplishments you’ve accomplished on your own will help you skip this step. After the first few years (or more), you are now a seasoned engineer without a degree.
Software Field
Becoming a computer engineer in this field without a degree requires a long and arduous process. Scroll down to learn about the process if you want a more detailed look.
1. Gain Experience As Much As Possible
The first step is always to gather from the smallest knowledge! Applying for high school courses will give you the first foundation of knowledge, then it’s time to do your research to gain knowledge.
There are dozens of professional certification courses that you can try to become a software engineer without a degree. Before you sign up, you need to choose carefully to see which program will fit your needs, schedule, and budget.
2. Get Some Tech Supports
Gain more experience in technology-related fields – why not! You can try to apply for the position of a tech store salesperson or a tech support specialist, and so on. It not only expands your knowledge but also increases the value of your resume.
3. Take Some Code Courses
The process of becoming a software engineer can never skip the step of learning to code. Each programming language has a different way of writing code. You can try certification courses in programming languages (C# and Java are good examples).
After achieving the certificate for the beginner level, continue to progress to the higher levels – intermediate and expert levels. That’s how you improve your coding skills to become a computer engineer in the software field.
4. Practice Code and Create Your Projects
After improving the theoretical knowledge, now it’s time to practice! You can practice by looking at website codes, seeing how other software engineers analyze code strings. Once you’re familiar with the job, you should be able to decode strings of code, reference code libraries, and modify programs.
After practicing code analysis, use everything you learn to build your coding projects. This way, you can make an impression on the employer and gain more hands-on experience.
5. Ask for Professional Feedback
To make your research more complete, don’t be afraid to ask for the advice of experts. All contributions are appreciated, helping you find and fix errors in your product.
And now, you can confidently apply for computer engineer positions in the software field without a degree.
Some Notes
Job demand for computer engineers is always in high demand. But without a degree, you have to accept that your training and job application will face countless obstacles. Not only that, the ability of the employer to accept you or not is also uncertain.
The hardware industry is very demanding, so almost all companies want you to graduate with a degree. Becoming a computer engineer in this field is still possible, but you must be truly superior to others.
Therefore, building your popularity through projects is extremely important. Once the employer sees that you are adept, they will skip over the other strict requirements to welcome you to work.
Final Verdict
Not being awarded a degree is a disadvantage for those pursuing a career in computer engineering. But if you are serious and patient in pursuing this profession, we are sure that you will achieve the success you desire.