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Demonstrated Experience V.S. Another Degree For A Bioinformatics Software Engineering Job?

Hi,

I would like to have a career in the software engineering (SE) side of bioinformatics. I graduated with a master's degree in biomedical informatics last year and have a b.s. in biology. I have worked on gaining and refining my bioinformatics SE work skills but wonder could it be I will only gain such a work with an associates or b.s. In computer science to prove my skills? I have programmed for many years and would like to know could a bioinformatics software github portfolio, success with open source work, research experience, books read on best practices, algorithms, and other topics, etc. sufficiently impress upon an employeer that I can do the job without me gaining another degree?

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updated by Ram Ram • written by wid2231auu1 • wid2231auu1

1 answer

let me put it this way, you really wouldn't want to work for someone that values a degree over demonstrated experience in programming and delivering working solutions

so it is a win-win really, you get a free employer screening.

people entering the job market think that getting a job is hard, but in fact it really isn't (of course that depends on the country but in the US and other similar advanced economies this is true)

what is a lot harder however anywhere in the world is getting the right job for/with the right people. You are going to be spending a good chunk of your life at work so it better be enjoyable and fun.

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written by Istvan Albert Istvan Albert

That's a good point, a company that appreciates a portfolio of mine along with the other degrees I have is one I additionally value. I just hope there are enough of those out there, in some cases I will be filtered out but persistence is key.

Since you have found entering job markets to be pretty practical, what are some effective strategies you advise to individuals to enter fields such as bioinformatics SE?

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written by wid2231auu1 • wid2231auu1

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