A CS degree can differentiate you from someone who cargo-cults their way through a software project. Sure cargo-culting can make the plane land once in a while, but wouldn't you some day want to know why?
I started programming for a living before I got a CS degree. After I got the degree, the biggest difference I found (aside from the really cool knowledge I gained) was that I had a common language to use to talk to other people with CS degrees and an understanding of common methods that I used to take for granted.
Also, I appreciate the rigor behind a lot of CS fundamentals, and I believe I'm able to teach myself new CS-y things more easily and do my job better as a result. I don't think the CS degree is necessary, but I really really really believe it helps you in ways you may not realize until you get one.
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A CS degree can differentiate you from someone who cargo-cults their way through a software project. Sure cargo-culting can make the plane land once in a while, but wouldn't you some day want to know why?
I started programming for a living before I got a CS degree. After I got the degree, the biggest difference I found (aside from the really cool knowledge I gained) was that I had a common language to use to talk to other people with CS degrees and an understanding of common methods that I used to take for granted.
Also, I appreciate the rigor behind a lot of CS fundamentals, and I believe I'm able to teach myself new CS-y things more easily and do my job better as a result. I don't think the CS degree is necessary, but I really really really believe it helps you in ways you may not realize until you get one.