It's definitely a part of getting a well rounded education... but a large part depends on WHAT you are learning. What's needed to learn C/C++ is different than

It's definitely a part of getting a well rounded education... but a large part depends on WHAT you are learning. What's needed to learn C/C++ is different than what's needed to learn Javascript. C#. Ruby. PHP. SQL. Etc... A Javascript developer could spend his/her life without ever touching a compiler. I've spent my "career" without ever needing that level of knowledge as a .Net Developer (C#/VB) and Sql Reporting guy (SSMS/Crystal Reports/etc). I would agree wholeheartedly that a C/C++/Assembly guy needs that experience... but most programmers don't need to know how a linker works.