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Ask HN: What is more valuable career wise, software engineering or computer sci?

• dozzie 10y ago
  > What is more valuable career wise, software engineering or computer sci? Industry experience. And you won't get that studying in academia. Finish what you have there, get your degree, and start working. At this point you probably won't learn anything of significant value in the university, and after three to five years nobody will give a damn where you have the degree from. (I'm not saying that university doesn't teach valuable things, because I'm today where I am because of what I learned studying; you just are too far now to select a new school that would bring such benefits in the next four years.)
  • gladsva 10y ago
    I think you are probably right. Or am I just trying to convince myself another year is a waste of time. But I don't learn a lot from university nor have I ever. But the learning isn't the valuable part of university, it's that piece of paper to wave at employers. What do you think is a more valuable piece of paper, Software engineering or comp sci? If hypothetically two people came in identically each with the different degree who would you hire?
    • dozzie 10y ago
      If I was to decide, it wouldn't matter which one. I would rather have the candidate tell me about the projects he's proud of (and why he's proud) or projects that gave him a big, important lesson (and why). Even if the candidate didn't have the degree, it could be of little importance if he provided some evidence of skills (completed projects or work experience would be enough). Granted, I haven't been in the hiring position for quite long time, so I may not be the best person to ask that.
      • gladsva 10y ago
        Hiring people never changes, if anything it is gravitating to less and less care for a degree. So your opinion seems to be perfectly valid to me. It probably is in my best interest to not go back to university, give me some time to work and start working on some more personal projects to decide what area of tech I want to follow.
• brudgers 10y ago
  Which one do you want to do? There's no right answer. No grade at the end. And other than going off and working on a side project, none is likely to have much effect on your career over the long run. Going off and working on a side project is likely to negatively affect your career because it will most likely reduce the size and strength of your social graph and the size and strength of your social graph usually has a significant impact on a person's career. Quitting school to work part time probably won't send a strong signal to future employers either. Finally, why not get a dual degree/double major/whatever? This would give you time to line up a post graduation job that would benefit your career more than whatever job you have now. And it would make your resume stand out. Good luck.
  • gladsva 10y ago
    I wanna do what's my best for my career. That's the hard part. I would never consider doing another major, there is no tangible benefits to it in my opinion, except a structured learning process that seems to be tailored to the normal achievers. I learn a lot better on my own and a lot faster. I am in one of the best jobs I could possibly imagine in terms of my career point right now. Where I get paid an amazing amount for a junior and I am with some of the best people in the industry.
    • brudgers 10y ago
      I trust you got my point about what probably is not best for your career. Notice I did not say 'bad' because how the future turns out is just a guess. That guess rarely matches what someone imagines. First professional jobs are usually amazing...even when they aren't very good...because working around professionals is amazingly different than being in school and the rate at which a person learns is amazingly high. Most people still find another job after a few years because they have changed more than the company. The first few years out of school, school often still matters and it is likely to matter to your next employer. For your current employer, well you already got the job and it is not unusual for an employer of students to see school as a distraction. It's also not uncommon for companies to serially hire students with the expectation (and possibly encouragement) to move on after graduation. Before assuming a long term career at your current company, it's a good idea to take stock of how many people have moved from student to long-term employee and how many people have moved from junior to senior employee. None of which is to say that is the case with your current employer. But in terms of a career it is good to have options and that means irons in the fire in terms of other employment and contacts down the road. Again, the most important resource for your career is your social graph.