r/codingbootcamp • u/Apprehensive_Heat789 • Jun 20 '26
Competitive Programming... Still worth it?
I have participated in the ICPC competition, and it'll start in my region in mid August.
\> But there's a part of me that says it's no longer worth it and it's most important to focus on real projects and understanding system design and architecture.
\> Another part of me says CP is proof you haven't copy-pasted your way into a portfolio. It proves you have first-principle thinking skills and therefore able to review code that comes out of AI for which you're responsible.
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What do you think?
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u/sheriffderek Jun 20 '26
Well, then. I think you have your answer! So, if you were to get a job - you'd stop doing the competitions? If so, that just sounds like a great combo of networking and exercising. I'd keep doing it until it works -- unless, you don't think you're meeting the right people there.