Is a degree/diploma from a reputed institute necessary to get a job in the software industry?

I am 17 now, and I found out that I have a huge flair for programming, and can make effective basic programs in C# and C already....unfortunately,I couldn't get a seat in an engineering college because I got as low(53,939/2,00,000 candidates)rank in EAMCET(the entrance exam in my state).


I can't afford the back-door methods to get into the colleges as they demand huge sums of money....


If I prove myself to be capable in programming by performing outstandingly in the interviews,will I get a job without a degree?


More importantly,is it possible for me to learn everything,right from the ubiquitous C to Java,Perl and the huge vista of other programming languages on my own?Is it advisable?





Someone plz reply,becoz this is the question of my life,career,and......everything!!!!

Is a degree/diploma from a reputed institute necessary to get a job in the software industry?
Absolutely necessary? No.


Extremely helpful? Yes!





In most industries once you've been in the business 5-10 years all that matters is your work history. A degree / diploma is a substitute for that experience to get you in the door (it shows that you have some knowledge and a certain amount of dedication to that subject).





IF (and it's a big if) you can get in the door without that you may be fine. However, as any industry matures it gets harder and harder to get in the door without some schooling. Also, without a degree you will start substantially lower (if you get in it will be in the lowest position at a smaller company) than you might with a degree.
Reply:Well you basically have 2 options because the odds of you being hired with out some kind of college education in a field like software engineering is quite low.


Go to a community college and take everything out on student loans. This would fast track you to a job but you will end up low on the totem poll. You would have to repay the student loans too unless you joined the military or something, with a degree in software engineering odds are you wouldn't see any front lines fighting and then you could go to a university and get a full bachelors degree which would make you more likely to get a good position in a company after you finished.





I would advise against teaching yourself everything simply because you gain the ability to program stuff, but can you use the advanced mathematics needed and understand the concept of algorithm design well enough to build something that is both efficient and correct.





Also don't just limit yourself to engineering colleges. I go to a public university and am getting a perfectly good degree in software engineering from a university that specializes in all fields not just engineering.
Reply:Ok here is something to consider for you. While a degree is very valuable in getting a job it seems in this industry it is not required in some cases. You could certainly start up your own business as a consultant without one for example. You can learn through self study far diverse subject matter then you can learn through formal education from any school.





As far as not qualifying for college due to a test result or money that is a different problem all together. A visit to their financial aid office may find you getting approved for a grant to learn more and retake that test if need be.





There is also one other thing that most people do not know or remember. If you can get a job working at a school typically one of the benefits is your education is free. I know it is like that with most if not all of the colleges nationwide.
Reply:well,nowadays B.E/MCA/M.SC(it) are almost considered equivalent while selection of a canidate as a employee.there might be little difference in pay package,but at the end of the day what really matters is your knowledge.obviously,a degree from good college will help you in making good impression i.e. it shows that you are meritorious student,but anyhow if you dont get into one then its not to much worry about.





after some exp.what really matters is your knowledge and exp.


you can learn yourself if you are confident about yourself,but i think formal teaching would help making things easy.
Reply:I would say with no training and being so young it is going to be hard. The fact is, it depends on who is hiring. Some places have absolute minimum standards on what credentials and experience employees need. If you can show them that you can do the work and impress them, you may have a shot. Just remember, the original programmers didn't have a degree in programming. Find some local firms and ask them if you can just go talk to them. They may be able to help you and give you advice.