Parents ask me this constantly, usually somewhere in the middle of an AP CSP or IB CS session: "does he even need the degree anymore?" The honest answer is — it depends what you think the degree is for.
What a degree still does well
A CS degree is still the most reliable way to build deep theoretical foundations: algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, formal proofs. It's also still a strong signal for large companies and countries with visa or hiring pathways that specifically filter for a degree. If your teenager is aiming at a large tech employer, or wants the option of graduate school later, skipping it entirely is a real trade-off.
What it doesn't guarantee anymore
What's changed is that a degree no longer guarantees job-readiness by itself. Employers — especially in cloud, cybersecurity, and DevOps — increasingly hire on demonstrated, hands-on skill: certifications, labs, projects, and the ability to talk through a real system rather than just describe one in theory. I saw this firsthand moving from Mechatronics into cloud engineering: the certifications and hands-on labs were what actually got me in the door, not the theory alone.
My actual recommendation
For most students I work with, the strongest path isn't "degree vs. no degree" — it's degree plus certifications, built in parallel rather than sequentially. A student doing IB CS or a CS undergrad degree who also picks up Security+ or a cloud fundamentals certification during their studies leaves with both the theory and the proof of practical skill. That combination is what stands out.
If you're trying to figure out the right sequence for your specific situation — degree, certifications, or both — that's exactly what a discovery call is for.