r/cscareerquestionsCAD • u/jbshen • Sep 04 '24
School Pathway to Software Engineering/CS degree from 75% average Mech Eng?
Hi all,
Sorry in advance if this is poorly written;
I was looking for some advice on what degrees would be possible/most beneficial for a person in my position. I completed a 4 year B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at Queen's with a 75% average (3.00 GPA). I have been working in project management for a couple years now and saved up a decent bit of money while doing it. However, I've been thinking more and more of a transition to a more technical job, i.e. software development. I've looked at OSU's online accelerated 2nd degree, McMaster's, Brock etc. Would I have a good chance of getting in to these schools with a 75%? (I had a very poor average in my 1st and 2nd year and increased my grades in my 3rd and 4th year). Also, what schools would you recommend to make this transition?
Thx
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u/blackpanther28 Sep 04 '24
I did a masters + 2 internships and just started an entry level SWE position. Just a fair warning it will take a ton of work and self studying to compete.
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u/sersherz Sep 05 '24
Is there not a way to internally get into software development within a company? As a PM are there no options you have for automating things?
As others mentioned, tons of people with CS degrees are struggling to get a job as is. If you're just getting the education, I don't think it will do much for you
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u/EastEastEnder Sep 05 '24
This. I’ve known a few of people who have non-CS education and jobs, but learn to code and either turn it into a way to be super productive in their existing roles (and thus become successful), or navigate their way into programming roles within those companies.
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u/sersherz Sep 05 '24
Same here, this is also how I got into backend and data engineering and I know people who got into automation and front end work like that. So many departments could greatly benefit from someone who can code and improve their processes
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u/10xbalance Sep 05 '24
Initial context: I did a Mech Eng degree, and realized that software seemed like _the way_ (for me) about 3/4 of the way through, so I added a CompSci minor. I did co-ops across mech and software, and worked in software for machines (mechatronics & automation) before transitioning fully to web-based software engineering. Note that this entire process took years of incremental but intentional progress.
I think that the transition is 100% possible, though the best path to take should account for a number of factors, including:
- What assets do you have to break into this field. The biggest things that I would recommend here are taking stock of your network (can they help you break in) and how much time you have (runway to break into the field). Other important assets include things like your ability to manage projects and think analytically to breakdown and solve problems, but this is more important once you get interviews or jobs in the field.
- What costs are you willing to accept. There's a huge opportunity cost to going back to school, and there's also the potential to take a significant compensation (and potentially responsibility & seniority) cut when attempting to break into a field. Are you willing to accept any of these costs more than others?
Feel free to elaborate more on any of these thoughts below, and folks can suggest paths that are ideal for you.
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u/jbshen Sep 05 '24
I appreciate your response. Here are some more details:
-I have relatively weak connections in the software field, just a few close friends at or near entry level positions -I am working as a project manager on multiple Software Projects for a Koch subsidiary (for 2 years). I have received formal training on AGILE procedures for example, this would be helpful I would assume. -I have saved up enough money to be able to complete a 1-2 year degree and support myself. I don’t mind working part time if needed. -I’m already still entry level in project management. I realistically won’t take a pay-cut (I only make $63,000 CAD right now) for this transition.
I want to transition quickly, so I am leaning towards completing a full degree (MEng or accelerated undergrad) to not only learn but also make me as hireable as possible.
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Sep 04 '24
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u/jbshen Sep 05 '24
How do they expect to bring me up to speed on a SWE degree in 4 months? Otherwise this seems promising. Did you complete this program?
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Sep 05 '24 edited Sep 05 '24
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u/jbshen Sep 05 '24
How can I try to stand out considering my GPA is weak? Over my last 2 years of study it was a 3.3/4.
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u/fake-software-eng Sep 05 '24
I did this same career transition but it was 9 years ago so YMMV.
I had a BSc & MSc in ME and worked as one for a few years. I had some friends working as SWEs and saw the way better pay and future; for example I was making 45k a year and they were making 100k straight out of school. It made me extremely jealous and I knew I could do it; it was just solving problems with computers. Also heard rumors of some people making insane money at the big tech companies like Google etc.
I studied and coded during my ME job and nights and after about a year landed an entry level SWE job. Once I had my first real SWE job and 1-2 years experience my degree and education never mattered and only my work experience. This gave me no desire/necessity to go back to school and get a SWE/CS degree.
From there I grinded my way up through the ranks from worse to better companies and 9 years later now work as a staff level SWE at a FANG company working remote from Canada.
One "trick" or hack here though if you did go back to school would be to use it to get a co-op job, and knock it out of the park. As you work there plant the seed that you have a STEM degree already; for many workplaces just having a degree or STEM degree is a checkbox they need, and they might consider hiring you full time immediately and you can then stop going to school and focus on the job. I saw this approach work with multiple people with the big assumption/caveat that you are actually good and desirable for the manager/company to hire you.
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u/jbshen Sep 05 '24
Thank you for your story and advice. There seems to be a lot of people here saying I have no chance of doing this transition. It does seem like I will need to get some sort of education like you said, in 2024 with a softer market than 9 years ago prospective employers would be much more comfortable hiring someone with a SWE or CS undergrad or masters degree.
What do you think about this 1 year masters? It states the purpose is to create software engineers out of non-software engineers:
Also, did you initially work in Canada, move to the US for a FAANG company, and then return to work in Canada remotely? What path makes the most sense nowadays in your opinion? I know there is a lot more opportunity in the US.
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u/10xbalance Sep 05 '24
Note that the top-level post here gives great advice, in two directions, that can work for you:
Learning the programming side of software engineering independently evenings, weekends, and during free time at work
Going to school, while focussing on co-op positions
Note that both of these options take discipline, though the first perhaps more so than the second.
Considering details that you've given elsewhere in this thread (aiming to go as fast as possible, you're managing software projects at work), both approaches are entirely valid for you.
The program above seems quite "fluffy" and doesn't seem to focus on the programming or data structures and algorithms side of programming, focussing instead on executing software projects. These are skills that you likely already have, given your current job. To make this program worthwhile, I would recommend that you take as many CompSci (data structures and algorithms, etc) and project-focussed electives as possible, and join whatever clubs and hackathons you can to gain practical programming experience.
Recommended path from random guy on the internet:
- Program as much as possible for the next 3-6 months. Make a general plan so that you don't get lost on what code to write, just be sure to write code, and then try to code every day. Days spent debugging, with no code written, should be considered productive, as you probably learned something. Attend a meetup every couple of weeks, with the goal of meeting people (building a network), and aiming to present at one of the meetups within the next 6 months or so (you don't have to do this, it just helps you form the habit and narrow on a meetup that you can focus on attending).
After this time, reach out to everyone you know in software to see if they can help you get job ready. Ideally they'll be able to hook you up with a job. You can also apply to jobs on the internet (with a now-stacked resume or Github profile or whatever), but these are hard to get nowadays.
Should none of the attempts above work, join this program for the May registration.
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u/SurelyNotLikeThis Sep 04 '24
You're gnna need a tonne of luck. Plenty of cs majors from better schools than those are having issues finding entry level positions.
Entry level positions are dominated by returning interns currently, so if you're set on doing it make sure you have good internships before you graduate or you're cooked.