you don't need to graduate with an academic degree to work as a software engineer. however, unless you go through considerable self-study of computer science th

you don't need to graduate with an academic degree to work as a software engineer. however, unless you go through considerable self-study of computer science theory, you won't be a computer scientist. a computer scientist does not necessarily write software just like a brick layer or master craftsman is not necessarily an architect. i think that one of the main issues we have today is that all of the above is treated the same, and the main focus is on hiring people to write code (i.e. brick laying), and the this is done by first putting them through irrelevant coding interviews to make sure they can write code (something that a good academic education / degree will require you to do anyway, if you want to graduate). the interviews optimize for memorizing optimal solutions to problems you are unlikely to encounter in practice and which you can find in a book if you need them. computer science / software engineering is still a young field, so there are no trade organisations yet. given the situation it is unavoidable that they will be created sooner or later.