Non-CS Major Developer Job Reality – Advice Needed
Hi, I'm a non-CS major who has been self-studying for a year and preparing a web development portfolio. Recently, a SI company reached out, but the salary is too low, so I'm worried. People around me say the first job is for gaining experience and that it's okay, but I feel uneasy. For those who successfully landed a developer job as a non-CS major, what strategy did you start with? I'd appreciate any tips or realistic advice.
9 answers
You're right that SI companies have low salaries. But it might not be a bad choice as a first job for non-CS majors. I also started at an SI company and switched jobs in my second year, and that experience really helped build my portfolio. Going in with the mindset of gaining experience and expanding your tech stack can be a viable approach.
I'm also a non-CS major. SI definitely pays less, but you can gain a lot of project experience. However, staying too long can lead to technical stagnation, so aim for 1–2 years while preparing for a job switch. Consistently posting side projects on GitHub will be a huge help later on.
I don't know how low the salary is, but if it's too little, life could be tough. I started at a mid-sized SI company with a salary of 25 million won. Still, when I switched to a startup in my first year, I got a 10 million won raise. Rather than focusing on the conditions, first check if it's an environment where you can learn.
I come from a non-CS background and started in SI (System Integration). I agree that your first job is a place to gain experience, but make sure to negotiate your salary as much as possible. I started with 200 more than the initial offer. Also, since you mainly learn Java and Spring in SI, it will help you with overall web development later on.
I went straight to a startup instead of SI. The salary was similar, but the work-life balance was better. If you're a non-CS major, I think it's better to start somewhere with less technical debt. Try adding a project with real users to your portfolio. It makes a big difference in interviews.
To offer a slightly different perspective, SI (System Integration) companies involve a lot of overtime and slow salary increases, so I wouldn't recommend them. I started as a QA at a mid-sized company after completing a bootcamp and later transitioned to a developer role. If you're a non-CS major, consider taking an alternative path. Also, make sure to study CS fundamentals alongside development.
I'm a non-CS major with 3 years of experience, and my time in SI wasn't bad. But if the salary is too low, negotiate or look elsewhere. I started at 26 million KRW and switched jobs to 40 million within a year and a half. What matters most is how deeply you learn at your first company.
I had a similar dilemma, but I ended up choosing SI. Without practical experience in your portfolio, changing jobs becomes even harder. Just think of it as enduring the salary for 1-2 years, and instead, make sure to document the roles you took on in projects well. It will become a powerful asset when you switch jobs later.
If you're worried about a low salary, it's a good idea to look into other SI or mid-sized companies as well. I initially compared about three places, and I found that some offer better benefits or educational support. If you're a non-CS major, make sure to check whether the company gives you time to study. Also, don't forget to consistently maintain your GitHub or blog!