Education · 1 of 5

The path

A degree is the normal route and the safest one. It is not the only one, but the alternatives got harder.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Math as far as you can take it, plus any computing class. Then build something small on your own and finish it. Finishing is the skill.

2. 2

   Computer science degree

   2 to 4 years

   Four years at a public university, or two years at community college then transfer. The University of Washington's Allen School, for example, offers both a computer science and a computer engineering bachelor's degree.

3. 3

   Internships

   Summers

   Two summers of real work before you graduate is the single biggest factor in landing a first job, and internships at large firms pay well.

4. 4

   The interview gauntlet

   1 to 6 months

   Technical interviews in this field test problem solving under pressure. People prepare for months, and that preparation is separate from your degree.

5. 5

   Junior to senior

   5 years in

   The first two years are about learning a real codebase and a real team. Senior titles usually arrive around year five.