Is Computer Science a Dead End in the Workplace?
Linked by snydeq on Thu 15th Jul 2010 18:31 UTC
General Development Fatal Exception's Neil McAllister asks whether the need for advanced development expertise is on the decline in an era in which tools grow increasingly more advanced, and coding increasingly moves offshore. 'Few companies share Google's zeal for academic credentials when hiring new developers. Many are willing to accept self-taught programmers, particularly if they have other skills relevant to the business.'
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RE[2]: Comment by lucas_maximus
by OpenGLCoder on Fri 16th Jul 2010 00:49 UTC in reply to "RE: Comment by lucas_maximus"
OpenGLCoder
Member since:
2006-10-17

I am a little at odds with the comments above. Being self-taught, I can attest that a degree means nothing without passion. Most self-taught programmers have the advantage of being more passionate about programming than people with degrees. I do have an associates degree and will be getting my bachelors soon, but I can build an entire city - skyscrapers and all (code-wise) from the skills and perspective I've gained from being a coder both professionally and at home over the past 14 years.

That being said, I believe a degree does a couple of things. It proves that you can dedicate yourself enough to see something through to completion (your education), and gives you exposure to people who are most likely very good at what you are striving to do. In other words, it gives you a more humble perspective.

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