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I have a question prompted by seeing what everyone is doing with Codex and Claude Code. I'm currently in a Data Analytics, B.S. program. I've thought of droppin

I have a question prompted by seeing what everyone is doing with Codex and Claude Code. I'm currently in a Data Analytics, B.S. program. I've thought of dropping out and focusing on coding with these AI tools, but some programmers have told me that by knowing SQL, Python, JavaScript and how to code in general, that it'll give me an advantage. Is the 1.5 years that I have left worth it? (I already have an Associate's Degree).

narilth 11mo ago
I made an account just for you :) My opinion is: don't drop out. 1. The degree is useful. Having a Bachelor's opens up a lot of career paths because it shows that you committed to the Data Analytics program for four years. It also helps HR check off the "has a bachelor's" item on their list. 2. What you learn is useful. At the end of the day, you will be responsible for the code that the AI produces. How will you understand, explain, and justify your code to your colleagues and managers? "SQL, Python, JavaScript" and "theoretical Data Analytics knowledge" are both tools that will help you. 3. So far, senior engineers tend to have the most productivity boosts with AI. These engineers became "senior" before AI coding agents became mainstream, which means they know how to program. So based on this pattern, if you know how to program, then you will benefit more from AI. Maybe you have other factors you are considering (e.g. money). My response is primarily based on the "existence of AI coding agents in the industry" factor.
- complianceowl 11mo ago
  THANK YOU! I'm incredibly grateful for your taking time to answer my question. I was constantly hitting refresh to see if anyone answered, and you're the only answer I got -- and 100% the only one I needed. I think what you say makes sense. There's times when you hear advice and you just know it's true and on point. And that is exactly what I saw in your words of advice. I'm going to stick it out and just finish. Aside from career, it is also helping me with random side interests that I have like making my house smart, setting up media servers, creating my own Raspberry Pi surveillance system, automating work tasks. So like you said, the things I'm learning are useful in and of themselves. Thanks a bunch, friend! You made a real difference!

narilth 11mo ago

I made an account just for you :) My opinion is: don't drop out. 1. The degree is useful. Having a Bachelor's opens up a lot of career paths because it shows that you committed to the Data Analytics program for four years. It also helps HR check off the "has a bachelor's" item on their list. 2. What you learn is useful. At the end of the day, you will be responsible for the code that the AI produces. How will you understand, explain, and justify your code to your colleagues and managers? "SQL, Python, JavaScript" and "theoretical Data Analytics knowledge" are both tools that will help you. 3. So far, senior engineers tend to have the most productivity boosts with AI. These engineers became "senior" before AI coding agents became mainstream, which means they know how to program. So based on this pattern, if you know how to program, then you will benefit more from AI. Maybe you have other factors you are considering (e.g. money). My response is primarily based on the "existence of AI coding agents in the industry" factor.

complianceowl 11mo ago
THANK YOU! I'm incredibly grateful for your taking time to answer my question. I was constantly hitting refresh to see if anyone answered, and you're the only answer I got -- and 100% the only one I needed. I think what you say makes sense. There's times when you hear advice and you just know it's true and on point. And that is exactly what I saw in your words of advice. I'm going to stick it out and just finish. Aside from career, it is also helping me with random side interests that I have like making my house smart, setting up media servers, creating my own Raspberry Pi surveillance system, automating work tasks. So like you said, the things I'm learning are useful in and of themselves. Thanks a bunch, friend! You made a real difference!