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Economics would suggest that it's purely signally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_(economics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_(economics) Th

Economics would suggest that it's purely signally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_(economics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_(economics) The idea that people are hired based on skills is obviously laudable, but _how_ does one verify those skills without extensively testing them? Whereas deep into your carrier, your professional experience can act as a stronger affirmation of your skill, for that first job degrees seem to be the simplest means of signalling your quality. Its obviously going to exclude would-be great employees, but I guess on a cost-benefit level its understandable given that hiring can be a very intensive process for the employer.

Kaveren 7y ago
See "The Case Against Education" by Bryan Caplan for an argument in favor of the signaling viewpoint.
agent00f 7y ago
The fact that so many here place so little value in their education (I would guess esp the liberal arts portions) reflects more on them than the edu system.
ignoramous 7y ago
> The idea that people are hired based on skills is obviously laudable, but _how_ does one verify those skills without extensively testing them? One answer to this is to work for your own self, solve problems that you have, go talk to people who have problems and make them what they want [0]. In an essence, become an indie-developer, a freelancer, or start a business, create/contribute to an open source project. This works very well for technology industry because, more often than not, the barrier to entry to make things is not that high at all. The advantages are obvious: 1. If your execution gains traction, you make money or get acqui-hired. 2. Most companies will value your ability to build, even if you fail. 3. Being involved in the right communities might even help you find co-founders, or join other founders on their journey, or be found by prospective employers. [0] http://www.paulgraham.com/hiring.html http://www.paulgraham.com/hiring.html

Kaveren 7y ago

See "The Case Against Education" by Bryan Caplan for an argument in favor of the signaling viewpoint.

agent00f 7y ago

The fact that so many here place so little value in their education (I would guess esp the liberal arts portions) reflects more on them than the edu system.

ignoramous 7y ago

> The idea that people are hired based on skills is obviously laudable, but _how_ does one verify those skills without extensively testing them? One answer to this is to work for your own self, solve problems that you have, go talk to people who have problems and make them what they want [0]. In an essence, become an indie-developer, a freelancer, or start a business, create/contribute to an open source project. This works very well for technology industry because, more often than not, the barrier to entry to make things is not that high at all. The advantages are obvious: 1. If your execution gains traction, you make money or get acqui-hired. 2. Most companies will value your ability to build, even if you fail. 3. Being involved in the right communities might even help you find co-founders, or join other founders on their journey, or be found by prospective employers. [0] http://www.paulgraham.com/hiring.html http://www.paulgraham.com/hiring.html