Ask Slashdot: Best Alternative To the Canonical Computer Science Degree?

connorblack writes "I want to be a web developer, and everyday I ask myself the same question: why am I wasting my time getting a computer science degree? I feel like I'm trapped- most of the courses I spend all my time on are far removed from the skills I need to succeed as a web developer. But on the other hand, I can't imagine another degree that would allow me to stay in a programming mindset. The fact is that web development has taken huge bounds in the last few years, and sadly most universities haven't caught up. Computer science is a field that overlaps with web development, but getting a computer science degree to become a web developer is like getting a zoology degree to become a veterinarian. Close, but no cigar. So here's the deal: I'm in my second year of a computer science degree, and the thought of wasting two more years, getting left in the dust, and becoming irrelevant has me horrified. I want to start my web development career now. Or at least as soon as possible. I can drop out and devote 6 months to teaching myself, but I want something more structured. Something that has the benefits of a classroom and an authority figure, but which teaches me exactly what I need to know to do what I want to do. Any suggestions?"

Comments

Canonical?

[serviscope_minor]

Try the Mint or Arch computer science degree. Much better than the Canonical one.

Re:You want an art education

[vlm]

Web development can be found in the art & interactive design programs, not computer science program.

Not just "web development", but "women" also.

Not trying to make a value judgement or insinuate anything, that's just the facts.