Degree, bootcamp or self-taught: what actually mattered when you got your first technical job?

In the renewable energy and environmental tech sector in Europe, my self-taught skills in data analysis got me through the technical tests, but my willingness to learn mattered most to employers. Today, I would still choose self-teaching combined with open-source green projects, as real-world impact speaks louder than formal credentials.

In software engineering in North America, my computer science degree opened the initial doors, but my self-taught portfolio and decisive leadership in tech projects earned me the role. If I were starting today, I would leverage a focused bootcamp to build practical skills rapidly, backed by relentless self-study to stand out in the field.