Very well said. Same experience here, running http://InterviewKickstart.com http://InterviewKickstart.com. Having a background in CS is very helpful and often

Very well said. Same experience here, running http://InterviewKickstart.com http://InterviewKickstart.com. Having a background in CS is very helpful and often the differentiator in how palatable you find Google/FB interviews vs not. Without CS background (degree or not, but something similar), candidates find it very challenging to even get through the course, much less appear for core CS interviews. Degree is not just a certificate; it's a proxy to 2-4 years of working through interesting stuff under guidance (professors) and with a group of like-minded people. It ain't a panacea, but it's a great opportunity for those who recognize the importance of that controlled setting of learning.