Hey everyone,
As many of you already know, I chose WGU to pursue a degree in Computer Science. And as I come up to my 3rd year at WGU, I feel like I have spent enough time with the school to give a credible review of the institution.
The Backstory: A Pandemic Graduation and a Detour
I graduated high school right in the middle of the pandemic. Like many, I followed the expected path and enrolled in college, but something felt off. I was unsure about my long-term goals and couldn't justify getting into massive debt for a path I wasn't committed to. So, I made the tough call to drop out.
I spent the next chapter of my life working, saving money, and diving into personal projects and pursuing my curiosity. This break was crucial—it gave me the space to figure out what I truly wanted without the pressure of tuition payments looming over me.
Finding My Path: Why WGU?
My journey back to higher education started on YouTube, specifically on Josh Madakor’s channel, where he breaks down how to build a successful career in IT. His experience with WGU caught my attention. After some research, I realized it was the perfect fit for me.
Here’s why I chose WGU:
Unmatched Flexibility: WGU’s online, self-paced model means I can build my schedule around my life, not the other way around. This allows me to pursue internships, work on personal projects, and even hold down a job while earning my degree.
The Power of Acceleration: You can move as quickly as you can prove competency. I also transferred in a ton of credits using third-party services like Sophia.org and Study.com, saving both time and money.
The Ultimate Goal: No Debt: This was the game-changer. I managed to land a scholarship that allows me to study completely free of charge. Graduating without the burden of student loans was a non-negotiable goal for me.
Is WGU Right for You? A Reality Check
WGU is an incredible tool, but it’s not for everyone.
WGU is for you if:
You are highly self-motivated and have excellent time management skills.
You want a fast, affordable way to get a fully accredited degree and industry certifications.
You are a self-starter. The course materials can be hit or miss, so you have to be willing to find your own resources and teach yourself what you need to know to get good.
WGU is probably NOT for you if:
You are seeking the traditional “college experience” with campus life and in-person connections.
You are chasing a high GPA. WGU is competency-based, and a pass is equivalent to a flat 3.0 GPA.
You learn best through structured lectures and need a professor to guide you through the material. There is very little hand-holding here.
A New Direction: Swapping Software Engineering for Cybersecurity
My time exploring my interests also led to a significant shift in my career goals. When I was in community college, I took a few classes in programming. I quickly discovered that while I love problem-solving, I genuinely dislike the endless cycle of writing and debugging code that comes with software engineering. I can write code in a pinch, but I can’t see myself doing it for a living.
My passion was truly ignited when I started taking some of TCM Security’s courses. I fell in love with the defensive and analytical side of tech. The constant challenge and the mission to protect and analyze systems felt like the perfect fit for my skills and interests. Because of this, I’m pursuing cybersecurity instead of software engineering.
Choosing WGU has empowered me to build a future in a field I’m passionate about, on my own terms, and without the financial burden that holds so many people back.
I hope sharing my experience provides some insight for anyone else considering a non-traditional path in tech.