Does Taking a Coursera Computer Science Course Help in Getting a Job?

Landings a job involves a myriad of factors, with knowledge being just one of them. While a Computer Science (CS) degree significantly enhances your chances of landing a job interview, a talented, hardworking self-taught programmer might still get hired before someone with a degree. The journey from getting hired to working effectively in a company often requires more than just academic qualifications.

Programming mirrors the process of mastering any other language such as Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese, or Latin. Therefore, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) like Coursera are similar to other platforms teaching languages. Just like a polyglot translator fluently switching between human and machine languages, programmers must convert their knowledge into code.

Factors Aiding Job Hires Beyond a CS Degree:

1. Experience

Experience is a critical factor in securing a job. Most job offers require a specific amount of programming experience in certain languages. For example, hiring managers might look for candidates with "3 years programming in Java."

2. Salary Negotiation

Salary plays a significant role in landing a job offer. Companies producing commercial software aim to generate profit, so graduates with a CS degree often have better negotiating positions. Larger corporations can afford to pay substantial sums—up to half a million dollars for a software engineer. Understanding the value you bring to the company in terms of profit is crucial when negotiating your salary.

3. Expertise

Advanced software companies focused on research and development or projects like IBM's Watson or Google's Brain prioritize hiring experts with a research track record. If you have authored a few papers or have been published, a CS degree or multiple degrees in various fields can significantly improve your employability. In this context, the programming language you know is less important than your expertise and research background.

4. CS Degree vs. MOOCs

While a degree in Computer Science indicates foundational knowledge and academic rigor, it does not guarantee job success. Similarly, knowing how to code does not necessarily make you a good Computer Scientist. For other scientific fields, such as a Mathematics graduate who excels as an autodidact cartoonist might land a job at Walt Disney, while a Sorbonne Fine Arts graduate may not fare as well. This is because practical experience and honing your craft, as evidenced by your work, are essential.

5. Network Effect

Your social network can significantly impact your career outcomes. Actively participate in events like hackathons, local meetups, and contribute to open-source projects. Sharing your technical skills and successes through blogs and writing books can also help you stand out.

6. Side Projects and Technical Communication

Having side projects, maintaining a technical blog, writing a book, or contributing to open-source projects in your area of expertise can demonstrate your commitment and breadth of expertise. These activities also help you build a professional network and showcase your skills to potential employers.

Ensuring that you have a strong understanding of your skills, a solid experience portfolio, and a robust network will make you a more competitive candidate in the job market. As the saying goes, 'Bonne Chance!' (Good luck!)