How to Transition from IT Services to Product Companies Without a CS Degree?

Senior Software Engineer at Taro Community3 months ago

I have 5 years of experience as a backend software developer, primarily working on web applications and APIs in the .NET domain. However, my academic background is in civil engineering. I started my career in an IT services company and have been switching between similar companies since then.

I’m struggling to get interview calls from product-based companies, as most of them list a CS degree as a requirement. I’m not aiming for Big Tech (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.), but I would like to move into well-established product companies like Adobe, Oracle, or similar.

What can I do to improve my chances of getting shortlisted? Would getting a master’s degree in CS be necessary, or are there other effective ways to bridge this gap?

Would appreciate any insights or advice from those who have made this transition!

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Discussion

(3 comments)

2
Alex Chiou
•Tech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
2 months ago
On top of the advice Jonathan and Rahul shared, I highly, highly recommend side projects: Build Side Projects With 500k+ Users: Coming Up With An Idea

At these big product-based companies, they want to know if you can build quality software at scale. For a lot of candidates, they demonstrate that through their prior work experience, and these are the "safe" candidates these companies prefer. If you are trying to get your first experience doing this, especially in this market, you will need to jump start this virtuous cycle yourself.

You don't need to work in a corporate environment to build software tons of people love. Take matters into your own hands (you'll also get awesome learning along the way).

Check out this thread as well: "How to get interviews?"
1
Rahul Pandey
•Tech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
3 months ago
Yes, it's possible to break into product comapnies with an IT Services background. Probably the highest leverage thing you can do is to get referrals, so read this: How to get referrals?

You should leverage any unfair advantages you have, which could be almost anything: someone you know at a product company, a unique hobby where you have demonstrated expertise, or some open source contributions.
0
Jonathan C
•I just work here @ Robinhood
3 months ago
5-year of practical software experience is enough to get interviews at most companies with a recent resume. Just apply.