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As with many things, probably has a ton to do with the specific student. University broadened my mind incredibly and I’m quite thankful for it. But then, I tend

As with many things, probably has a ton to do with the specific student. University broadened my mind incredibly and I’m quite thankful for it. But then, I tended towards multidisciplinary programs with subjects I didn’t naturally excel at. And I had good professors and smart peers.

godelmachine 8y ago
Taking up those subjects which make you uncomfortable is very important. And of course, multidisciplinary.
SlowRobotAhead 8y ago
I dropped out - I’m a fairly successful and happy computer engineer. Generally anti-college in terms of 13th grade, but I agree this depends entirely on the student. I was bored to tears with the entry computer science, but really liked anthropology and geolgogy. Seems like they were mind-broadening.
- chasing 8y ago
  I consider myself a successful software developer who enjoys his work. I took one single programming class as an undergrad and it sucked. Everything else was literature, philosophy, art, with some science mixed in when I could. I think that decision served me well. It also made me less appealing to people hiring for boring positions and much more appealing to those trying to find smart weirdos who thought differently. My first real college programming job was with people who specifically did not hire out of the CS department. It was awesome!
  - mroche 8y ago
    > My first real college programming job was with people who specifically did not hire out of the CS department. Not going to lie, that sounds incredibly counter-intuitive. However, as long as the people have the right skills or mindset I don’t see the issue. There may be a lacking in deeper underlying systems knowledge, though.
    - docbrown 8y ago
      >However, as long as the people have the right skills or mindset I don’t see the issue. That is exactly what they’re looking for, regardless of degree type. Without digging up all the numbers, soft skills in the hiring process are important to a great deal——as long as that person is able to understand the on-the-job training you’re going to give them. You can have person A and B interviewing for a PM position. Person A graduated from CS dept, 3.9cGPA, introvert, no experience. Person B graduated from Literature dept, 3.8cGPA, study abroad, sociable, 5 years work experience with deadlines. In my opinion, I would take person B over A. I’ll tell you why, though. Person A has (1) shown they are able to understand different cultures and environments—as the company may be Fortune 500 or non-profit, the workforce can be diverse. (2) they have shown they can take responsibility and (3) be willing to engage with others, coworkers in particular and (4) is willing to get out of their comfort zone by wandering into CS. Person B will bring me (1) experience but they may not be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, customers, etc. due to their personality. They may know how to fix a problem but (2) they’re personality makes them get confrontational when you say there’s a better way than their way. In the end, the amount of worry I’d have with how they’d work with my other employees is much greater than the time it’ll take me to take an apprentice and teach them how and what I want and need them to learn.
      - yesenadam 8y ago
        uh I think you swapped A and B in the last 2 paras.
      - selimthegrim 8y ago
        I think you need a switcheroo.
      - deleted 8y ago
        [deleted]
      - ams6110 8y ago
        The five years of work experience is going to override almost everything else about either candidate.
      - 8y ago

godelmachine 8y ago

Taking up those subjects which make you uncomfortable is very important. And of course, multidisciplinary.

SlowRobotAhead 8y ago

I dropped out - I’m a fairly successful and happy computer engineer. Generally anti-college in terms of 13th grade, but I agree this depends entirely on the student. I was bored to tears with the entry computer science, but really liked anthropology and geolgogy. Seems like they were mind-broadening.

chasing 8y ago
I consider myself a successful software developer who enjoys his work. I took one single programming class as an undergrad and it sucked. Everything else was literature, philosophy, art, with some science mixed in when I could. I think that decision served me well. It also made me less appealing to people hiring for boring positions and much more appealing to those trying to find smart weirdos who thought differently. My first real college programming job was with people who specifically did not hire out of the CS department. It was awesome!
- mroche 8y ago
  > My first real college programming job was with people who specifically did not hire out of the CS department. Not going to lie, that sounds incredibly counter-intuitive. However, as long as the people have the right skills or mindset I don’t see the issue. There may be a lacking in deeper underlying systems knowledge, though.
  - docbrown 8y ago
    >However, as long as the people have the right skills or mindset I don’t see the issue. That is exactly what they’re looking for, regardless of degree type. Without digging up all the numbers, soft skills in the hiring process are important to a great deal——as long as that person is able to understand the on-the-job training you’re going to give them. You can have person A and B interviewing for a PM position. Person A graduated from CS dept, 3.9cGPA, introvert, no experience. Person B graduated from Literature dept, 3.8cGPA, study abroad, sociable, 5 years work experience with deadlines. In my opinion, I would take person B over A. I’ll tell you why, though. Person A has (1) shown they are able to understand different cultures and environments—as the company may be Fortune 500 or non-profit, the workforce can be diverse. (2) they have shown they can take responsibility and (3) be willing to engage with others, coworkers in particular and (4) is willing to get out of their comfort zone by wandering into CS. Person B will bring me (1) experience but they may not be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, customers, etc. due to their personality. They may know how to fix a problem but (2) they’re personality makes them get confrontational when you say there’s a better way than their way. In the end, the amount of worry I’d have with how they’d work with my other employees is much greater than the time it’ll take me to take an apprentice and teach them how and what I want and need them to learn.
    - yesenadam 8y ago
      uh I think you swapped A and B in the last 2 paras.
    - selimthegrim 8y ago
      I think you need a switcheroo.
    - deleted 8y ago
      [deleted]
    - ams6110 8y ago
      The five years of work experience is going to override almost everything else about either candidate.
    - 8y ago