Tower or not tower, that is the question?

Question

IT education

Ladies and gentlemen from IT, I am writing to you with all due respect. I don't know if personal questions of this length are allowed here. And if anyone is too lazy to read, then skip. And the topic concerns the current period of my short existence.
In no case do not count on the correct instructions for life. I understand that the decisions are my own, and there are as many tips as there are people. But nevertheless, I would just like to hear third-party thoughts on this matter.
The brief essence of it is this: I am 20.5 years old, I live in France, I graduated from a specialized secondary school for a mechanic, I went through 5 internships, I realized that it was absolutely not mine. For the last year I have been self-studying python, django, html, css, jquery, sql. I snatched out any free time from studying mechanics to sit on programming. I like this kind of activity and lifestyle, constantly learning something new all my life does not scare me.
This year I entered the accelerated-higher program in programming (2 years). A couple of days later, and now it’s already 2 months, I realized that I don’t like studying here at all, there are a lot of problem areas: a very weak and empty program, negligent attitude of teachers, unnecessary subjects, I miss all the details from explanations because of a non-native language.
I found one foreign company in St. Petersburg (a relative works in it, but in a different position), phoned the personnel department, found out that they conduct regular internships without work experience, knowledge of java, spring, sql is required. After 3-6 months of internship with a salary, they are transferred to a permanent junior. I tried to study java for 1.5 months - thanks to some kind of python base, everything goes surprisingly easily, I am delighted with oop.
Well, now the question that overcomes me is: should I spit on the current institution, do this year of preparation on my own (there is already experience in such studies), and a year later try to get an internship. Or, by all means, get a tower here (due to difficulties with the language, it will take a lot of time and effort to take some tests and exams, and sensible knowledge has been received, I’m sure that there will be a minimum amount. There will be little left for independent).
To be honest, I did not intend to stay in this country anyway, but I planned to return in a few years, but now I think in a year.
Who thinks, who would do what? Is it really normal to work in programming without this higher level at all, or is it all pink fairy tales?
Thanks to everyone who has a say.

PS: What am I doing then in France and other nuances would be even longer to describe, so I will miss this moment

Answer 1

Do I need a tower for work - in the vast majority of cases, no. Does the tower make it easier to build a successful career - yes. So your question sounds like "Do I need a piece of paper for unhindered career advancement and an easier change of employers?"

Answer 2

HSE gives:
- knowledge (the quality varies)
- a piece of paper
- connections among students and teachers
Knowledge, if you are a good student of a good university, will help you become what a self-taught person is unlikely to become: a specialist in the field of ML, DS and other AI. If you kicked the bulldozer, or you were taught Fortran and GOSTs, then you can skip this paragraph.
A piece of paper (a diploma in a specialty , this is important) is a pass to a large enterprise, all sorts of Russian-state companies, as well as abroad. Yes, 10 years of experience will replace a diploma, and you will hardly gain the necessary experience faster, but if you are an outstanding specialist, this will give you a head start. In addition, with a diploma from a good university, you will stand out from other applicants.
Connections. Unless you're an owl or a sociopath, by the time you graduate, you'll have friends a year or two older in decent companies, and that's a valuable resource. Teachers can also help with work. As you can see from the "Career" section on the toaster, it's hard to get your first job right now. And in general, in life, acquaintances in their field will not interfere.
Keep in mind: the wild west in IT is starting to end. What will happen when the market is saturated with qualified specialists and choked with stupid white people, and the employer will be able to choose?

Answer 3

I didn’t read the sheet with the yellow confession, I answer the question right away: yes, I need it.

Answer 4

Most people say that a tower is needed, but my opinion is not. The top companies: Yandex, Google, Sberbank, etc. do not require higher education, you can check in their requirements for candidates for vacancies. What matters most to them is how well you can help them. If they have a choice: to take a guy with a degree, but no knowledge, or a guy with knowledge, but no diploma, obviously they will take the second one. Personally, I left the university in the 1st year, I studied website development myself, and now I am 19.5 years old and I already work in one web studio. So choose the path that will give you the necessary knowledge and skills faster and more interestingly. If it's a tower, then get it, if not, then throw it away. And remember, if you are the best programmer, then you will be accepted everywhere, even without education. Good luck

Answer 5

usually in large organizations a tower is required, in small ones it is not, that is, without a tower, you reduce your opportunities to get a job. and in general, the tower has a few more advantages: after all, a high level of knowledge that will not cause harm, but rather benefit, will teach you to continue studying, the opportunity to have fun with students and even find a mate :), open the way to graduate school and teaching , if interested, etc.