The Debate Over Formal Education vs. Self-Taught Paths in Software Development:
My Take
In the world of software development, there’s always been this back-and-forth about which learning path is best: formal education or the self-taught route. Having experienced both, I can honestly say that each has its own strengths, and ultimately, they both can work. It really depends on what fits your learning style, goals, and lifestyle best.
When I attended a formal class — the kind you physically show up for every day — there was a definite structure. Basics were delivered in a systematic way: you have instructors, assignments, deadlines, and a pace that keeps everyone on track. It’s perfect if you need a guided path and a clear foundation to build on. And, with a physical class, you get the added benefit of face-to-face interaction, which can be motivating and helpful for bouncing ideas off others and clarifying concepts in real-time.
Get Cyril Bassey’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Now, when it came to virtual classes, the experience was a bit different. They had flexibility and could fit around my schedule, but it still had a structured curriculum to follow. There were live sessions, but also the freedom to replay lectures, dig deeper into topics on my own time, and review lessons as needed. This hybrid approach offered a balance — structured enough to provide direction but still flexible enough to allow for a bit of self-exploration.
But here’s the thing: once the foundations were set in place, it became clear that self-learning was necessary for growth, regardless of which path you start with. Software development moves too quickly to rely solely on a formal education or a class curriculum. Self-learning gave me the chance to repeat, review, and re-approach topics from different perspectives. Whether it was building personal projects, diving into online tutorials, or experimenting with code until things clicked, self-teaching helped me solidify and expand on the basics.
And self-learning doesn’t mean skipping the fundamentals — you can absolutely build your foundation this way, too. The internet is packed with tutorials, communities, and resources for every skill level. Self-learning lets you pace yourself, revisit concepts, and explore from various sources, building your skills layer by layer.
So, which one’s “better”? It depends. Formal education gives you structure and a built-in foundation, while self-learning offers flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly. In my experience, combining both is powerful: formal education sets the stage, and self-learning pushes you to keep growing and adapting in a field that never stops moving.
#SoftwareDevelopment #LearningPaths #FormalEducation #SelfLearning
