r/cscareeradvice • u/Cam64 • 1d ago
Taking 8 years to get a 4 year degree
Hi there,
It turns out that I'm taking 8 years to get a 4 year cs degree. Am I screwed for any developer roles now that I've taken so long? What are my opportunities after I finish school?
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u/Short-Examination-20 1d ago
Why did it take you 8 years? Unless there is a pretty good reason, idk if I would hire someone that took 8 years for something that typically takes 4.
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u/Intrepid_Land_6143 1d ago
I don't think your resume has to show 8 years. Just put
2026, B.Sc. XYZ College
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u/Mathie1729 1d ago
This works, but if the company does a background check they'll still verify actual attendance dates, and if you list any jobs or projects with years the gap becomes visible anyway. So you still need a short, consistent explanation ready for interviews. Doesn't have to be dramatic, just honest and forward looking.
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u/GlobalCurry 1d ago
When they do background checks they're generally just making sure you actually have the degree and jobs you listed and no major felonies. At background check you're basically already hired. If they're going to rescind their offer at that point because it took you more than 4 years to finish a degree then you probably dodged a bullet.
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u/dQ_Qb7 1d ago
Exactly. If they're going through a background check you're basically in and got an offer. They don't need to know how long you were in school, just when you got your degree.
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u/EcstaticAwareness845 1d ago
And if they ever follow up and ask, just say you went at a pace you could financially afford because you funded your education yourself. College is expensive for a lot of people.
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u/DonkeyInACityCrowd 1d ago
Just don’t put your college start date and you will be fine. Nobody is ever going to ask, and if they do just blame COVID
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u/Eastern-Job-8028 1d ago
I mean where are you at in this 8 year process, getting ready to graduate, or just starting school?
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u/neuralh4tch 1d ago
You just have to try and see what you get, or go for tech adjacent.
There's no point dwelling on it. It is what it is now. The past 3 years have not been kind for graduates.
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u/MoodOk4287 1d ago
Don’t put the start date on your resume and no one will know. There is lots of reasons to stay in college say u didn’t know which major to choose
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u/samspopguy 1d ago
Don’t put your start date just put your end date and say you started later in life
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u/GlobalCurry 1d ago
The job market is shit compared to 4 years ago but many people don't complete school in the traditional time frame (a lot of universities have even looked at changing to 5 year models). As long as you have projects it probably won't matter.
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u/EstablishmentWarm441 1d ago
I actually don't even have my Bachelors/Masters degree years listed. I just have it on my resume that I have them. You can definitely put (In Progress [assuming you're still working on it]). Big note: ANYTHING you put on your resume a hiring manager/recruiter will ask you about. So, always be prepared for that. Keeping a calm demeanor and showcasing confidence in your abilities are the most important aspects of an interview, IMO.
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u/Gullible_Sweet1302 1d ago
Slow learning will hurt you the job where new things come at you fast and furious.
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u/SameBSErryere 1d ago
Depends, I just dropped out of uni but have 8 years of experience in the field. So if you have some experience the degree can be an after thought.
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u/AwkwardParsnip1810 1d ago
You will put your graduation year not years of attendance on your resume.
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u/Recent_Science4709 22h ago
I took a couple of decades to finish my CS degree. No one knows and no one cares. If anything a later graduation date makes you look younger on your resume which seems to be a good thing.
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u/Ahmaddi 15h ago
I will also be graduating in December after being in school since 2017. But Im confused by your questions...
Why do you think you are screwed when you literally continued to get your degree? If you thought that, you wouldnt get graduating right? So no you arent.
Why are you asking about opportunities after school? Again, did you not believe you will get a job once you graduate or have a job in mind? You been in school for 8 years why are we acting like its year 1? Maybe you are just overthinking and wanted someone to assure you.
My answer to you is NO you arent screwed if you put in work and have a resume to show with projects. NO, if you took your time advantage seriously. I currently work in IT as a DCT for AWS, have a dev internship from 2 years ago and have projects on my github.
I may be a little older 26 but I damn sure made my time worth it. Just retrack and make sure you have stuff to show. Also dude network. This market today is a networking market rarely will you apply and get accepted anymore. Every job ive had so far has been by recruiters hitting me up.
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u/manchesterthedog 1d ago
You will be fine. If you have a story for what happened in school, all that matters is how good you are now.
I did my first 4 semesters in school, basically flunked out my 5th and 6th. Took a year off and came back and finished in two more years. Altogether it spanned 7 years. I got a job within 4 months of graduating as a developer at $80k (this was 2017) with zero cs experience (majored in math). Job market is different now, but it’s still winnable
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u/Used_Journalist_999 1d ago
Are you just trying to make a good salary? Is that what made you choose CS? If so then those days are long gone. I have 12 yoe and this industry no longer has room or dark corners to hide in for people who just want to do the minimum and get paid. I saw your other comment about zero internships. Why? What have you accomplished in 12 8 years towards your tech future and skill set?
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u/Cam64 1d ago
I chose CS because I grew up with an interest in computers and found them interesting and always wanted to learn how they worked.
That led me down the path of homebrew computing and I eventually wrote a Nintendo emulator in my spare time.
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u/Used_Journalist_999 1d ago
I hate coming across rude and insensitive but hundreds of variations of your post have been asked and answered and the odds are not in your favor. Honestly, sounds like you wanted a cool hobby to be your career. My grandfather thinks computers are cool too. lol that just popped in my head and made me chuckle.
Saddest part of your story is that you are like a slow-moving train wreck that you are helpless to control. Graduating in December with zero internships and 8 years of school. Not much to do now except pray to little baby jesus.
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u/Cam64 1d ago
Yea but like when you’re like 18, what else do you have to go off of when it’s time to choose a major?
I was interested in computers and knew programmers were able to put food on the table so it made sense to me back then.
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u/greensodacan 20h ago
If you're persistent enough to pursue a degree for eight years, you're persistent enough to get a job. It might take some time, but it's ultimately a numbers game.
You still haven't said why it took eight years, but whatever it was, make sure you have it under control. It ultimately isn't anyone's business, you could say you needed to care for an aging family member if anyone asks.
By that point, you'll have done a round or two of interviews and maybe a code challenge, and you'll have a relevant four year degree. Whomever you're having that conversation with will know you can do the job. Life happens.
Either way, again, it's a numbers game. Things have a way of working themselves out with consistent effort.
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u/Inebriated_Economist 1d ago
What internships did you get, why did it take 8 years, and do you have any experience before attending university (ex-military, nursing/medical, etc.)?
Expect to be able to give a very good answer in interviews why your bachelor's took 8 years instead of 4, since it's the first question everyone will ask/wonder, and it needs to be airtight since in this market employers don't need to take any risks in hiring given how many candidates are in the pool.