Correspondence or self-education

Question

IT education

Hello.

A couple of years ago, I asked here on Habré the question of transferring to another specialty (applied computer science). As a result, having taken into account the answers of habrausers, I decided to finish my studies where I entered (humanitarian specialty).

Now, after graduating from the university, I faced a new question: whether to continue to engage in self-education in the field of programming or to enroll in a correspondence course (distance learning at MESI). Why remote? The fact is that I have a permanent place of work, and in my city in the leading university there is no correspondence course in applied informatics.

The question is rather ambiguous, because. Both options have their pros and cons. The option of obtaining a second higher degree in applied computer science is being considered due to the fact that there is a strong lack of fundamental knowledge in the field of mathematics, in particular discrete (because I studied for the last 4 years in the humanities and mathematics has been forgotten since the school days), and also algorithmization, etc.

Which option is better in the end - to continue to engage in self-education or to enroll in a correspondence course (in fact, also self-education, but plus at least some communication with teachers and expanding the circle of acquaintances, as well as a diploma)?

Answer 1

Definitely self-education, as there is an opportunity to choose for yourself what exactly to study. Or - courses in a particular direction. In the case of distance education, there is too much unnecessary information, and teachers will not necessarily be qualified enough. Too big a chance to waste time and money in vain.

Answer 2

if there is a successful experience of self-education, then, in my opinion, it is better to do it

Answer 3

The self-education option seems to me more preferable for the following reasons:
1. You choose the direction yourself, you also choose the training program yourself.
2. In order to refresh / gain fundamental knowledge, it is absolutely not necessary to enter a university - it is enough to start refreshing / gaining them. Fortunately, there is a bunch of different literature, and here you really just need to start.
3. Communication and expansion of the circle of acquaintances can be facilitated by greater social and professional activity - find an interesting community or engage in some kind of project and communicate with professionals or just interesting people.

Answer 4

And I think it’s worth enrolling in an apprenticeship, and engaging in self-education in parallel.
It is not necessary to LEARN at a distance learning, the main thing is to SURRENDER! Therefore, in any case, you will be able to choose what you really want to KNOW and TEACH, supplementing university knowledge with self-study. In addition, you always check with the teachers for all incomprehensible / controversial / difficult points. There is a small minus in self-study - you can lose several days to comprehend / understand the material that you will be told in one lecture.
Therefore, if you are disciplined, then the mix is ​​the option for you.
ps. And a diploma has never bothered anyone.

Answer 5

Personally, I would choose both options. Now, ten years in the field of programming, with experience as both a team leader and a junior. But everywhere is complete self-education. I really lack fundamental and “versatile” knowledge in the field of programming. I don’t even know what “discrete mathematics” is, and I regret it.
Previously, there were enough articles and textbooks on languages. But the last few years, working with larger projects and where there is a lot of pressure on the logic and application of versatile technologies. There is a huge lack of knowledge. Fortunately, I have the opportunity to compare with colleagues (they have less practical experience than mine) in the shop. who have graduated from universities.
At the moment I'm trying to read materials on this topic of mine .
But the only condition is to take your studies seriously and, if they give you anything, absorb it, and not visit remote work “for a crust”.

Answer 6

Not so long ago I read Josh Kaufman's book “My Own MBA. Self-education 100%. The main idea of ​​the book, very correct, is "why pay tens of thousands of dollars for a business school diploma when you can pay $ 1.5 for a library subscription." However, as HR can tell, it takes a lot of willpower to learn on your own. When you pay for your education, money is a great motivator to stay in school, which is often the case with distance learning.