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I’m a programmer who studied information technology (with a number of programming courses, but zero true CS coursework) first at community college and then at a

by jtdev 7y ago

I’m a programmer who studied information technology (with a number of programming courses, but zero true CS coursework) first at community college and then at a budget brand state college. I’m now a senior developer/engineer and frequently work on projects alongside CS graduates from prestigious schools who seem incapable of completing even the most simple coding tasks - this is the case nearly 100% of the time in my experience with these CS grads. That said, I’m sure there are many such graduates that are more than capable, but a persons degree and where it’s from doesn't seem to indicate much other than socioeconomic background.

tracer4201 7y ago
I work in big tech. I know lots of folks who fall into your camp. Anecdotally from interviewing and working with other software engineers, site reliability engineers, software development engineers, and <insert whatever your company calls it here>, how prestigious your undergrad institution was reflects little to none in your ability to solve real world problems. It does help open doors though, as every FAANG I’ve worked at heavily recruits from these schools.
jhall1468 7y ago
Most people that graduate with CS degrees took a few actual programming classes. The majority of the rest is a the same well-rounded classwork you took (English, History, etc) and a lot of theory and mixed-theory/applications classes like AI, Operating Systems, Compilers etc. The practical real-world applications of those classes aren't 1:1 with their first job. I'm a frontend engineer and took 0 classes that are even remotely relevant to my day to day work. That said, foundation adds value. I can speak a common language with other engineers, including those that are completely different than my specialty. To suggest a persons degree is meaningless is just as nonsensical as saying being self-taught is meaningless. I've also worked with both prestigious graduates that can't program and self-taught brilliant programmers. However, they are exceptions to the rule. The only thing that doesn't indicate much is anecdata, which both of us have now provided. As an aside, your attitude towards entry-level programmers is likely similar to the attitude of senior programmers when you were entry-level. "Simple" is relative. You were undoubtedly a considerably worse programmer when you graduated as well, assuming your current title was earned through merit. Perspective.
mywittyname 7y ago
> equently work on projects alongside CS graduates from prestigious schools who seem incapable of completing even the most simple coding tasks It's possible there's selection bias going on. The wheat end up at the Apples and Googles of the world and the chaff end up working with you. This isn't intended to be an insult. People who attend ivy leagues are given such a huge leg up that even an average graduate probably make it further than most of us plebeians.
- jtdev 7y ago
  As I said above, these are “CS graduates from prestigious schools” - including ivy league - that I’m referring to and working alongside.
  - mywittyname 7y ago
    Right...Which is why I was pointing out that perhaps you're getting stuck working with the dregs of the ivy leagues, and that you're experience may not be representative due to bias.

by jtdev 7y ago

tracer4201 7y ago

I work in big tech. I know lots of folks who fall into your camp. Anecdotally from interviewing and working with other software engineers, site reliability engineers, software development engineers, and <insert whatever your company calls it here>, how prestigious your undergrad institution was reflects little to none in your ability to solve real world problems. It does help open doors though, as every FAANG I’ve worked at heavily recruits from these schools.

jhall1468 7y ago

Most people that graduate with CS degrees took a few actual programming classes. The majority of the rest is a the same well-rounded classwork you took (English, History, etc) and a lot of theory and mixed-theory/applications classes like AI, Operating Systems, Compilers etc. The practical real-world applications of those classes aren't 1:1 with their first job. I'm a frontend engineer and took 0 classes that are even remotely relevant to my day to day work. That said, foundation adds value. I can speak a common language with other engineers, including those that are completely different than my specialty. To suggest a persons degree is meaningless is just as nonsensical as saying being self-taught is meaningless. I've also worked with both prestigious graduates that can't program and self-taught brilliant programmers. However, they are exceptions to the rule. The only thing that doesn't indicate much is anecdata, which both of us have now provided. As an aside, your attitude towards entry-level programmers is likely similar to the attitude of senior programmers when you were entry-level. "Simple" is relative. You were undoubtedly a considerably worse programmer when you graduated as well, assuming your current title was earned through merit. Perspective.

mywittyname 7y ago

> equently work on projects alongside CS graduates from prestigious schools who seem incapable of completing even the most simple coding tasks It's possible there's selection bias going on. The wheat end up at the Apples and Googles of the world and the chaff end up working with you. This isn't intended to be an insult. People who attend ivy leagues are given such a huge leg up that even an average graduate probably make it further than most of us plebeians.

jtdev 7y ago
As I said above, these are “CS graduates from prestigious schools” - including ivy league - that I’m referring to and working alongside.
- mywittyname 7y ago
  Right...Which is why I was pointing out that perhaps you're getting stuck working with the dregs of the ivy leagues, and that you're experience may not be representative due to bias.