On Thu, 2003-10-09 at 09:18, Daniel Crookston wrote: > Since we're on the topic of jobs, I thought I'd ask. Is an education really > as valuable in the computer field as it is in other fields? I've talked to > a lot of people who have said: > 1) They don't care if the person they're hiring has a degree or not as long > as they know their stuff, > 2) people graduating with degrees in CSci don't know what they need to to do > their jobs, > 3) they're gainfully employed as a network admin/high level programmer/other > computer job, and they don't have a degree > > and other stuff along those lines. I don't think #3 can be disputed, > because I don't have a degree and I'm working as a programmer right now (in > a job that's so flexible that I can sit here and read my email before I go > into work every morning,) and I know several people who don't have degrees > but do have fantastic jobs in the field of their choice. But what about the > other two? Are there people on here who have a BS or MS in CSci who are > finding that their educations haven't prepared them for the tasks their > employers need from them? > Thanks, > Daniel > There is a guy in my ward here who got a job with a company without ever finishing his degree. He has been quite successful with this company working his way up the ladder, all without a degree. He was even able to transfer up here about a year ago from Texas (I'll refrain from comparing the overwhelming natural beauty of the Pacific NW to the "special" natural landscape of Texas, plus he grew up here). Now times are tough, and the company decides to transfer him back to Texas. He just bought house and there is no way he will not lose money selling it now, his teenagers were just getting used to it here, and he was really loving it here. He'd love to just say to them, "no way" and find another job here, but since he's got no degree, he doesn't have a lot of confidence that he can just do that. He's obviously got some respect with the current company, but how does he show some other hiring manager that he's worth his salt? Especially, in a situation like this when he might be leaving on some not so happy terms and might not be able to expect a good recommendation. My guess is the current company knows exactly this and that's why they figure they can just transfer him across the country willy-nilly when they need to. What's he gonna do, go find a job somewhere else without a degree or a recommendation? Makes me sad for him, his wife, and his 5 kids.
A degree gives you a stamp of approval from a respected, objective, organization. It empowers you. It shows you can put your mind to something for a good four or five (or more) years and finish what you've started. You can avoid the above type of situation. The prophet recommends it. Bryan P.S. And if you are really debating between CS and Comp E. or EE, do the Comp. E. or, EE. They put more hair on your chest :) ____________________ BYU Unix Users Group http://uug.byu.edu/ ___________________________________________________________________ List Info: http://uug.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uug-list
