this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2025
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Published earlier this year, but still relevant.

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[–] spookedintownsville@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I'm halfway through my bachelor's CE, but really thinking about dropping and doing a trade instead.

[–] Cocopanda@lemmy.world 32 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Don’t. Just finish it and join an electrical union with your math skills. After you complete your degree. I went into electrical after getting laid off from a malware defense software oem. Get your degree. It carries you further than without it. You can always join the Electrician union nearest you right after you graduate. Check for their sign up times for the year.

[–] PolarKraken@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've never met anyone in the broadly tech fields (and I've been through quite a span of them) who regrets completing an even somewhat relevant degree. I've met, many, many people who lament not starting or finishing one (and many of these were very competent, capable people, good at their jobs).

It's expensive and difficult, sure was for me, but it is very useful (and the learning is fantastic too if you do it right).

[–] Cocopanda@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Can’t agree more.

[–] skisnow@lemmy.ca 27 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I'm probably going to cop a few downvotes for this, but in my whole career the only software engineers I ever met who were worth a damn were people who loved it for its own sake, and would be doing it regardless. So, if your feelings about the field are such that you're thinking you might be better off doing a trade, you'd definitely be better off doing a trade.

Good luck either way.

[–] piecat@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If there's no hope for getting a job, it doesn't mean they're not passionate.

[–] KeenFlame@feddit.nu 2 points 2 days ago

It's really not like that, programmers will always be extremely sought after. Just not bad programmers that haven't really coded anything yet. Those are in quite an abundance. After giving the thirtieth intern a try and some lessons, it starts to feel hopeless when they turn in something that is using divisors on tick to solve a problem the engine already does and doesn't notice the cpu cap because they are on a monster beefy developer station

[–] OmgItBurns@discuss.online 3 points 2 days ago

The most important aspect is motivation to improve and do cool shit. That can, also, be said about a lot of professions. The best thing you can do is to find what is most interesting to you and spend at least a few hours a week learning about it or engaging with it. It could be new features of a language you know, a programming methodology that is new to you, learning about/contributing to a FOSS project you like, or anything else.

School and work will almost definitely force you to engage with the parts of development you don't like, as well will give you an opportunity to engage with the parts of development you do like. It's on you to keep yourself engaged and improving in your skills.

[–] piecat@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

CE is neat because most companies will treat you as if you had a CS or EE degree. Can always pivot to HW or FPGA