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Computing's Lost Allure
khendron writes "An article in the New York Times, describes how the number of students majoring in computer science in university has dropped off with the rest of the hi-tech economy. The bright side: the students who are enrolling are doing so because they love computers. Not like a few years ago when students were enrolling because they wanted to make a quick buck. I'll take quality over quantity."
They're also known as MSCE's :-)
All us computer science students (yes, I'm one too) have realized that as soon as we get our degrees, the industry will be profitable again. =)
(To deduce whether I like computers or want to "make a quick buck", observe the fact that this is Slashdot.)
void*x=(*((void*(*)())&(x=(void*)0xfdeb58)))();
So, I can stop cleaning up after inadequate admins
I think the real reason the enrollment numbers are going down is because those of us with Liberal Arts Dergrees are snapping up all of the IT jobs.
I'm serious...why are you guys laughing?
(/local/home/curiosity)-#who -u|grep thecat|cut -c 44-49|xargs kill -9
When I came out of school (2000) there were way too many people in it just for the money. The worst were: 1) A girl who, 2 months from graduation, couldn't code to save her life (BSA student's didn't have to, sadly), saying 'I Hate Computers' while in CIS... 2) A woman told me that she was graduating in web development. Since that's my field, I attempted to small talk, with 'so, what do you edit HTML with... homesite, notepad... pico?" She looked at me blankly and said "What's HTML?". I was so shocked that I just said 'uh... hope I interview against you...'
"Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
Hell I'm in it for all the hot chicks ;)
Never trust a computer proffesional that doesnt list computer as a hobby
Never trust a professional who can't spell professional!
Its like, must have 5+ years of experience in C++, PHP, HTML, Cobol, Java, Unix, be MSCE certified, have customer service experience, be able to lift 70+ pounds, wear blue shoes, drive red car, be exactly 5' 7" tall, talk with a slight Jamaican accent, be willing to commute to India 3+ weeks a month, all for 18,500 a year.
Now, the REAL kicker is the first part, where 90% of the job listings want unrealistic years of experience.
If I was picking my major, and saw that, I'd be like, fsck that too...
This is my sig. Its pathetic.
...the allure died when I discovered users.
My pointy hair is starting to hurt. I think I'll find someone to motivate before taking my afternoon nap.
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."
Shhh.... You'll disrupt the weekly "I'm a REAL hax0r" circle-jerk taking place currently. They (geeks who think they're better than other geeks) have to go through these rantings regularly. Kind of like vulcans have to go through Pon Farr. I'm a still-employed programmer with an English degree who loves computers, but doesn't spend as much time on them as I used to. I guess I don't "deserve" to be in the industry any longer by virtue of that pedigree.
I have since graduated with an equally worthless degree in History. At least writing papers about things that happened 300+ years ago is useful ;)
Sure it is. The point is to get people to stop making the same mistakes. You know the old saying: "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat the 11th grade".
"We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
"When kids say, 'Is there going to be a job for me when I graduate?' I essentially have to laugh," he said. "That's like saying, 'When Maxwell discovered the rules of electromagnetism, was physics over?' " In other words... no, you won't have a job when you graduate.
I completely agree. But beware, I work as a consultant and we're supposed to write our own CV to be sent to customers. So, in the personal field I mentioned my own computer experimenst (meaning my two LAN's, servers, alternative OSes, etc...)
The guy from sales asked me at once to remove it because it's "amateur stuff" and not "professional work". *Ouch* I had a fierce discussion with him, but you won't find it in my CV anymore. Yes, I still work there, but the people reading CVs (the first filters, not the technical people) don't want no amateurish sounding things in a CV.
Sad, but true...
Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
I'm glad I started grad school in '98, when you basically just had to know how to (1) speak English and (2) breathe. If I had to apply now, I doubt I'd get in!
OOps...gotta limber up that power button finger for the exam....
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
Under American law, interviewers aren't supposed to ask about candidates' spouses and children. Isn't this pretty much the same thing?
The bright side: the students who are enrolling are doing so because they love computers.
...unfortunately, step 3 became:
Not like a few years ago when students were enrolling because they wanted to make a quick buck.
Man, I *loved* computers when I started university back in 1994, but even back then all I thought was:
1. Start computing degree course.
2. ???
3. Profit!
Step 2, as it turned out, mainly involved drinking, getting stoned, and watching The Simpsons.
3. Pick up minimum wage!
Oh well, I still love (cheap) computers.
\\ Mitch
and Those who can't teach, teach P.E. (Phys Ed)
told to me by my 8th grade math teacher
"salf-taught"
"majority of guy in my group"
"FOREVOR"
I guess there are some things self-teaching just can't get right.