How Important is a Well-Known CS Degree?

Posted by Cliff on Wednesday December 1, 2004 @07:27AM from the which-matters-more-the-school-or-the-knowledge dept.

syynnapse asks: "I've been interested in computer science since my mother taught me how to program in QBASIC when I was eleven, and I've wanted to be a developer ever since I learned C++ in AP Computer Science while in high-school. Now I'm in my sophomore year of college studying CS at a state university that isn't particularly known for its CS program, but I'm quite happy and personally think I'm learning plenty. My father thinks otherwise, and the deadline for transferring successfully is approaching quickly. What chance do I have in the real world with a not-so-prestigious degree? Am I likely to be learning what's important? Am I looking at a series of awful jobs if I don't transfer?"

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Re:School more important than the degree by johansalk · 2004-12-01 14:07 · Score: 0, Flamebait

I know quite a few English and History majors that were pulling in $100,000+ per year two years out of college as analysts for Wall Street firms.

I too know a few who did such leisurely degrees and partied their time through college and ended up in such fancy and seemingly-unrelated jobs, but the ones I know were invariably from privileged backgrounds and had influential family connections.

I personally do not find it realistic or fair in my experience to recommend that someone from a deprived or working class background consider English and History and expect the same treatment after graduation.