# Self-Taught? Startups Don't Care.

They care about what you built. Show them.

## The Challenges You Face

### The Degree Checkbox  
Corporate HR filters you out automatically. Startups judge you on your code, not your credentials.

### No Portfolio Visibility  
Your GitHub has 50 projects, but no one sees them. Make them the centerpiece of your profile.

### Imposter Syndrome  
You wonder if you're 'ready.' Your projects prove you are—you just need the right stage.

## Your Projects Are Your Degree  
Every repo, side project, and open-source contribution demonstrates what you can do. Openspot puts your work front and center where founders can find it.

47%  
Of developers are self-taught

1,700+  
Self-taught devs on platform

Zero  
Degree requirements

## How Openspot Helps

### Projects Over Pedigree  
Your GitHub repos and live demos become your credentials. Show what you've shipped.

### GitHub Integration  
Connect your GitHub to automatically showcase your best work. Contribution graphs, pinned repos, and languages all visible.

### Prove Your Commitment  
Your self-taught journey shows grit and initiative. Founders love that. Let your learning path shine.

### Data-Driven Improvement  
See which projects get the most views. Double down on what resonates.

## Success Stories

"I learned to code on YouTube and freeCodeCamp. No bootcamp, no degree. My Openspot profile got me 5 interviews in 2 weeks."  
Alex C.  
Self-Taught → Full-Stack at Series A

"Founders actually looked at my GitHub projects. One startup hired me specifically because of an open-source contribution they found."  
Priya M.  
Self-Taught → Junior Developer

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I really get a job without a CS degree?  
Yes. According to Stack Overflow, nearly half of professional developers are self-taught. Startups especially value self-taught developers because they've proven they can learn independently—a crucial skill at fast-moving companies.

### What projects should I showcase?  
Lead with projects that solve real problems, not just tutorials. If you built something people actually use (even a small audience), highlight that. Deployed projects with real users beat perfect code that no one sees.

### How do I compete with CS graduates?  
Don't compete on their terms—compete on yours. You have projects they don't have. You've learned to learn on your own. You've probably shipped more code than most CS students. Make that visible.

### Should I mention I'm self-taught?  
Absolutely. It's a strength, not a weakness. Self-taught developers demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and genuine passion for coding. Many successful founders and senior engineers are self-taught.