Do I Need a University Degree to Become a Successful App Developer?

Career decisions are critical because of their consequences. If you pick the wrong career path, you will waste so much time and money before you get back on track Some people realise when it is too late that they made the wrong move when they had a chance.

With so many programming schools in Kenya that offer short courses, aspiring developers often water down degree programs. The argument is that you can do a crash program within months and avoid 3-4 years of learning in a college or university.

The argument is only valid if you have basic training in programming. However, if you have never been to any coding class, you may jeopardise your career. What difference does a degree or diploma make?

Let us start from the basics. Sometimes you think of a career based on something heard or saw someone do and admired it. You can admire successful developers or creative apps and develop a passion in the field.

A coding school in Kenya will give you expertise in that field with the assumption that you know the basics of programming. A university, on the other hand, will teach you that and a variety of other related courses.

You might find out that websites interest you more than apps in your first year of college. You can take it a step further and join a programming school to perfect your web development skills.

University programs often start with a broad outlook of a career or field. In other words, you get a taste of everything in your first and second year. By the third year, you know what you really want to specialise in and pursue as a career.

Universities and colleges do more than pass knowledge in your field of interest. You learn how to communicate and live with diverse cultures. Think about 4 years of meeting people from different cultures.

You might have been raised in a tight community that speaks nearly the same language. Four years is enough time to grow the inter-personal skills that you need later in the business world. University teaches you how to build a strong network, solve conflicts, and build new relationships.

Do not be surprised that the relationships you build at this level will usher you to your first job. They say that your network is your net worth. 3-4 months in a coding school in Kenya is not enough time to build your network.

A university or college certificate qualifies you for better jobs, which translates to a higher salary. Generally, university graduates are preferred for most job opportunities. The additional skills you get in a coding school help you beat the competition among fellow graduates.

Here is another advantage of enrolling in a university. You develop organizational skills. How do you manage to take different courses simultaneously and delivery all assignments on time?

You learn how to handle pressure when exams come around. You learn tough assignments with short deadlines. By the time you hit the job market, you have the boldness to face challenges.

Final thoughts

We have heard of people that build a successful career against all odds with short courses. However, that path does not work for all. Do not take a shortcut. If you have a chance to get a degree certificate, go for it. Use the lessons from programming schools in Kenya to build your skills further.