I didn't study computer science, but I was a lot like this at university. It wasn't out of laziness or lack of imagination (because I worked pretty hard), but s

I didn't study computer science, but I was a lot like this at university. It wasn't out of laziness or lack of imagination (because I worked pretty hard), but simply naivety and blind faith in the university. I'd worked hard to get into a reputable university, and simply assumed that they would be teaching me all the stuff I needed to know. Anything that the wise professors (experts in their field!) chose to leave off the syllabus must be of lesser value, right? Looking back now as the cynic I have become, this seems laughably, pathetically naive, and completely false. 18 year old me was pretty stupid. If I ever get the chance to give advice to a young person I will be sure to impress on them that it's the stuff you do outside the course that really matters. The qualification just gives you credibility and gets your CV past HR. That cool side project you did is what you'll talk about in the interview. I don't know whether they'll listen, but I'll tell them anyway. Some people (like you) seem to know this instinctively. I wish someone had told me!