I've had the exact same experience and it took actually getting a job to get out of the rut. I will also note that it's entirely possible to get a degree in CS

I've had the exact same experience and it took actually getting a job to get out of the rut. I will also note that it's entirely possible to get a degree in CS without learning this stuff, in fact, that's the default for many programs. Only syntax and algorithms are mandatory, everything else must be learned through electives and osmosis. So the people who are: 1. Minmaxing life and taking the shortest path to a degree 2. More interested in CS theory 3. Just plain unlucky in that everyone teaching their elective courses went out of their way to provide a sanitized environment can end up mildly screwed.