IT Studies: a necessary ticket to a career or just a formality?
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Is being a programmer a dream job?
Theoretically, this sounds like a perfect recipe for success without the tedious years at university. But is a degree in IT really just a “nice addition,” or does it hold more importance than we care to admit?
A few words from a young programmer...
In recent years, the IT industry has become a magnet—great salaries, dynamic technological development, numerous opportunities for advancement, and a job that, some claim, doesn’t require a degree but simply good skills.
I write this article from the perspective of someone who already has one degree and is on the path to earning a second. I have gone through the process, completed various stages of higher education, and have been working as a programmer for the past four years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to confront the theory I learned at university with real-world professional experience. This has given me many insights into the current education system, the opportunities it offers, and where it falls short. I will focus on my personal observations and experiences to answer the question: Is a degree in IT truly necessary, or just one of many tools on the road to success?
Studying then vs. now
To properly address the question of the significance of higher education in today’s dynamic reality, it’s important to look back several decades and examine the development of higher education and learning in Poland. Over the last 20 years, the number of people obtaining a higher education degree has increased dramatically. According to statistics from the Central Statistical Office regarding education levels in 2002 and 2021, the number of people with a higher education degree rose from 9.4% (in 2002) [1] to 23.1% (in 2021) [2], an increase of more than 13 percentage points. This significant growth can be attributed to several factors, including improved societal wealth and the widespread belief in the 1990s that a university degree was a ticket to better jobs and broader promotion opportunities. The truth is, this belief still holds strong today, although today’s job market is quite different from that of those earlier years.
Another important aspect to consider when analyzing the evolution of higher education is the shrinking quantity and quality of materials over the years. Periodically, the Ministry of National Education removes certain more or less important topics from curricula. The result is a significant reduction in the level of education, both in higher education and at earlier stages. This decline is also influenced by the previously mentioned factor—the ever-increasing percentage of people starting university. Overcrowded laboratory groups, a lack of individual approaches to students, shortened curricula, and increasingly lower demands on both students and lecturers—all of this has contributed to a gradual degradation in the quality of education.
These examples perfectly illustrate how dramatically education has changed over the past several years. In the early 2000s, a university degree was rare, which gave it a prestigious status. Back then, having such a diploma opened many doors—companies were eager to hire candidates with higher education, viewing it as clear evidence of solid knowledge and skills. Over time, as the number of people completing university increased, the degree lost its uniqueness. Higher education became more common, and therefore less of a standout feature on the job market. Today’s job market, dominated by a large number of graduates, now treats a degree as just one of many elements in the recruitment process, not as a decisive advantage. As a result, the value of a degree still exists, but its role has shifted from a symbol of distinction to a standard requirement in the hiring process.
We will prepare you for your first job
The primary goal of higher education is to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to land your first job in the field. As both a student and an active professional programmer, I have had the opportunity to merge two worlds—the theoretical knowledge taught in university lecture halls and the realities of working in the fast-paced IT industry, where there are no shortcuts. My initial observations point towards the curriculum itself. The answer to whether university truly teaches skills useful in everyday work is, unfortunately, not straightforward.
Today’s higher education landscape requires a redefinition of the concept of teaching. A university on its own cannot provide a full package of knowledge that will be sufficient in a professional setting. This is due to the rapid pace at which technologies evolve and the vast amount of information one must know, not only about a specific topic but also “around” it. It’s not just dry theory and memorizing facts necessary for working in the industry. In my view, “teaching” should primarily inspire students, spark their curiosity, and motivate them to acquire knowledge independently. Universities should act as catalysts that encourage the exploration of topics, the development of passions, and the honing of skills crucial in the job market. To me, that is the true definition of “studying.” In today’s world, the ability to independently acquire and apply knowledge is becoming just as important as the theory taught in lecture rooms.
A lot now depends on the lecturers themselves and the way they convey knowledge. I’ve encountered professors who could present even the most complex concepts in such an engaging and comprehensible way that I eagerly deepened my understanding of those subjects. On the other hand, I also had lecturers who taught programming techniques straight out of the early 2000s, offering knowledge that couldn’t keep pace with technological advancements. How well or poorly a lecturer can convey knowledge has a huge impact on how effectively the university fulfills its role in educating future professionals. Modern education, therefore, requires not only a good curriculum but also engaged teachers who keep their skills up to date. To answer the question: university won’t provide purely practical knowledge that perfectly matches the demands of the job market, but it can inspire students and help them discover their passion or the area where they will thrive. Curriculums, overloaded with subjects and information, have their pros and cons. For someone just starting their studies and without a clear career path, a broad range of subjects can be beneficial, increasing the chance of finding the right field. On the other hand, for someone who already knows which area they want to develop in and is independently acquiring knowledge, an excess of subjects may simply be distracting and make it harder to focus on what truly matters. One personal critique I have about the programming curriculum in universities is the lack of focus on good programming practices. The code submitted for grading, whether written by students or professors, often had an “academic” nature—the main goal was that it worked, rather than adhering to well-written code standards. This shortcoming became especially apparent to me in my first job, where I realized how important solid programming practices are.
University? So Udemy Courses Aren’t Enough?
A common belief in the public opinion is that to become a programmer, a university degree isn’t necessary—practical skills and a few courses on Udemy are enough. In a sense, this was true, at least from 2015 to 2020, when the job market for programmers looked quite different than it does today. Back then, the market was not yet “saturated,” meaning the demand for programmers exceeded the number of available specialists. As a result, candidates with no experience who had completed only a few courses were able to land internships and junior positions. I’m far from judging whether that was a good situation—I myself started in those times. However, it’s worth emphasizing that since 2021, the job market in the industry has changed drastically. Working in an outsourcing company and knowing many people at the beginning of their careers, I’ve observed how much harder it is now to secure a dream position due to increasing competition. While competition was not as fierce until recently, now, in the largest companies, there can be more than 100 CVs for a single junior position. The market has become saturated, and the number of specialists has balanced out.
Screenshot from Udemy.com
In the face of such a large number of candidates for a single position, companies need to implement basic criteria to more effectively filter the submitted CVs. One of the most commonly used criteria, besides the level of experience, is whether the candidate holds a university degree related to Computer Science. This is, in a sense, a guarantee of at least basic knowledge and skills in IT. This situation highlights a key aspect—the dynamic nature of the IT industry. In just a few years, a university degree, which was once merely a “nice-to-have,” has become an important filter and often the first step in the recruitment process. From this, one can draw an important conclusion: regardless of the quality of educational programs and potential gaps in education, the dynamic development of the industry shows that having additional skills, knowledge, and competencies is becoming increasingly important. Programmers should continually focus on development, as it’s never clear what changes are coming or what skills will be most in demand in the future.
Another significant advantage of university education is the opportunity to participate in professional internships. Many universities have established partnerships with companies, allowing students to gain practical experience before graduating. This is a unique opportunity to learn in real working conditions, especially since modern study programs offer an extensive number of internship hours—ranging from one month to even three months, depending on the specifics of the program. It’s also common for companies to want to keep such students on board, offering continued involvement in projects. This practical insight into the industry and the possibility of continuing collaboration after the internship is a significant advantage and benefit of university education, and it is undoubtedly worth noting. Therefore, in the context of recruitment for junior positions in IT, a university degree matters, as it serves as a starting point for further candidate evaluation. However, as we gain experience and develop our skills, knowledge and practical abilities become key. At more advanced career stages, it is these competencies, not just a degree, that determine our value in the job market. University education can open the door to a first job, but further development and skill updates are essential to remain competitive in the IT industry.
What are my conclusions?
At first glance, one might think that in the IT industry, a degree is merely a “nice-to-have.” After all, the industry entices with quick courses, and the internet is full of stories about people who learned to program by watching YouTube tutorials. However, as changes in the job market show, a degree is gaining significance again—not as a job guarantee, but as a first filter that may decide whether your resume is even considered. The IT job market, which a few years ago was crying out for new developers, is starting to saturate. Companies that once sought primarily enthusiasts with basic skills now have the luxury of selecting from dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of candidates. In such conditions, a degree becomes a symbol—not necessarily of deep knowledge, but of a certain level of education that indicates a solid foundation.
On the other hand, a degree alone won’t fully prepare us for the realities of working in IT. Curricula often lag behind technological advancements, and while some professors can be inspiring, they don’t always provide knowledge that is immediately useful in the workplace. So what do studies offer? Above all, they can inspire us to discover our passions and set the direction in which we want to develop. It’s also a space that teaches us how to learn independently—a key skill in a rapidly changing industry.
In summary, a degree is no longer the same “ticket to success” it once was, but it’s certainly more than just a “nice-to-have.” Today’s reality shows that having a degree can be the first step that opens the door to a career. However, how far we go depends on how effectively we combine the knowledge we acquire with practical skills and the desire for continuous development.
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Meet Mariusz
Mariusz is a Frontend Software Engineer at 3Qcode, specializing in creating dynamic and user-friendly web applications. He is proficient in modern JavaScript frameworks, ensuring seamless user experiences and responsive designs. With a strong focus on performance optimization and code quality, Mariusz contributes to building scalable and efficient solutions for diverse client needs.
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