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How Important is a Well-Known CS Degree?

Posted by Cliff on 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?"

4 of 1,280 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Experience is key... by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'd interview both, and take the one with a genuine interest in the job & ability to learn.

    Degrees teach you to draw flowcharts (who uses them any more), how to program in ADA and Pascal, and absolutely zip about real-world problem solving... they really don't help (hell, they taught me 68000 machine code.. yeah really useful). Someone who's a genuine geek and able to take a problem and run with it is a much more valuable skill than a bit of paper.

  2. Re:Experience is key... by Overzeetop · · Score: 0, Troll

    Gosh, I forgot to comment on the last sentence. OF COURSE most people that enter the military make more than the average person. Half of the US population is not employed. Many that are are in minimum wage burger-flipper/toilet-cleaner jobs. Hell, if you can make it through a tour or two in the military, you'd better ba able to find a job at better than $10/hr (which is, by the way, around the median for all active workers in the US).

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  3. Re:Experience is key... by lachlan76 · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm more on the dev side as well (I'm 15, so only have to admin 3 systems), but from what I have experienced, development requires logic. Sysadminning requires logic.

    Users require violence ;)

  4. Re:Oft heard, but bullshit: Experience is key... by sharkdba · · Score: 1, Troll
    American culture (whatever that is :) ) tends to be much more pragmatic and about ability rather than titles.

    I agree completely. Basically:
    • Europe - diploma very important
    • US - show us what you can
    I was thinking about why it is so, and the conclusion I came to is that in Europe burocracy is quite high, and paperwork matters. In US money rules, so if you can bring money to a company you'll be hired. It's what you do that matters, and if you have diploma, are a self learner, or just some talented geek, is your own business - as long as you produce results.

    Not that there is anything wrong with the US approach. I'm all for it myself.
    --
    The purpose of life is to find the purpose of life.