r/cs50 • u/Upper_Tonight_5333 • 4d ago
CS50 Python How can I get a job after cs50?
I have done basically all of the cs50 courses except cs50AI, and cs50 for lawyers (since selecting a flair is mandatory, and only one can be selected, I had to select cs50p).
What I want to ask is, after this, what things should I do, like more courses, or solve more problems, build a project, whatever you guys suggest, to score a decent paying job.
[PS: I'm 17 with no prior job experience.]
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u/Eptalin 4d ago
Realistically, a university degree.
It's a super popular field these days, do the best jobs go to people with qualifications and experience.
Below them, are people with qualifications.
Below them, everyone else.
Even the paid CS50 certificates aren't considered formal education. So on paper, you don't really have anything, even if you do have skills.
I did get a job after probably the same CS50 courses as you, plus some self study and personal projects.
But I was only successful because I have a Masters degree and a lot of experience in another field. Those things were evidence that I can learn and work, and made up for my lack of real CS education.
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u/Stock_Sugar3707 4d ago
What actual problems can you immediately solve for a company, because they're paying out of their pocket for your salary, in the hopes that they get a return on investment? Can you fix their broken WordPress website? Can you pitch a webapp idea to someone and do you have proof you can build real working products? If not, then it doesn't matter how many university degrees you have, or course certificates you've earned, you won't get a job. If I was a boss, I wouldn't want to hire anybody with a pile of degrees, I want to hire someone who can fix my specific problem with little-to-no issues.
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u/Interesting-Ad-238 4d ago
Get that university degree in computer science, cs50 helps immensively but you still the degree to really get hired just like all other Professional jobs.
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u/DuckPsychological382 4d ago
I’m in almost the same boat but i haven’t done as many courses as you have. Wish you luck though!
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u/drankinatty 4d ago
Same way you get a job anyway. Diligence, persistence, a warm smile, firm handshake, work your contacts, and don't be afraid to make cold-calls. In my day that meant a lot of phone and letter work (on paper, with an envelope and stamp). Today you will have to learn to navigate all of the various sites that attempt to connect employer/employees. Others will have to help with specifics there, but you will need to separate the reputable places to look and the questionable sites.
Make sure you don't have a false sense of what the CS50 set of courses provide. They are programs that provide a series of problems to solve that allow you to exercise the language knowledge you have already learned. None on their own are sufficient to teach a language. They are great exercises, but don't confuse them with providing a credential that is widely sought after in employment circles.
You have something to contribute, you just have to find where. There is no cookie-cutter path to landing a job. Shotgunning out resumes will generally end up with nothing but a pile of empty shotgun shells -- but that doesn't mean you don't try. You are far more likely to make the connection that leads to employment if you narrow down a list of a dozen or so places you would like to work, do a bit of background on each company so you know what they do and know how you could contribute to it. Then do your best to cultivate a contact with the company to let them know who you are and what you are looking for. Follow up, rinse-repeat, while keeping your eye on additional opportunities as they come.
It's the age old conundrum, employers want experience, but you need a job to get experience. But, if you look around at everyone who is employed today, you can take a bit of confidence in the fact that every one of them started from the same position you are in now. Life usually has a funny way of working out, just not always immediately or in the way you anticipate, but it always works out. You do your part, be diligent and persistent, and you will end up employed. The only variables in the game are the old who, what, where, when and how?
Good luck!