Mixed Signs On the State of IT Education

snydeq writes "Advice Line's Bob Lewis comments on the mixed state of IT education in the US, which sees some students graduating with computer-related degrees despite never having written a line of code. And while some institutions are emphasizing the value of teamwork in their curricula, an approach that fosters specialization in lieu of uniform standards, others are simply advertising their 'success rates' in graduating students. 'Education is a marketplace, and if you have the money and want to buy, you can find someone willing to sell,' Lewis writes. In other words, 'If you want a degree that indicates you know something about computers without having to actually know very much about computers, you can get one.'"

Comments

Or you could get an MSCE

[h4rr4r]

An MSCE is much cheaper and it also indicates you know something about computers without having to actually know very much about computers.

Re:Or you could get an MSCE

[Mad Merlin]

An MSCE is much cheaper and it also indicates you know nothing about computers without having to actually know very much about computers.

There, fixed that for you.

Re:Or you could get an MSCE

[tsm_sf]

Applicants to Assholes Inc. tend to be self-selecting.

You can buy a piece of paper

[Frequency Domain]

but it won't take long for prospective employers to discover that it has utility only if it is perforated and comes on a roll.

Re:It's not just the diploma mills

[R3d M3rcury]

I once met a University of Maryland College Park grad (B.S. in computer science) who didn't understand pointers and who couldn't grok hexadecimal math.

Obviously a real computer scientist.