4.1% less started studying computer science in Germany last year. Germany's future is bright.

The worst candidates I interviewed were the ones that just studied CS for career purposes and had no interest otherwise :)

Sounds like you have interviewed me. However, I am unable to recall that. 🤔

:D there are always exceptions from the rule and yes - I would have remembered that interview for sure ;)

I agree a CS degree is not a necessity. I have never seen anyone who did worse because they had one, though.

i remember a friend of mine did not get invited to interviews by several IT consulting companies in the early 2000s because he did not have a cs degree. sorted out by hr upfront although he had several years of experience. thus, at least for "bad times" a degree might be useful

As Gernot said. With a title, the skills are less doubted. You are mostly accepted as a competent interlocutor.