4 ms·

I have a BS in CompSci. I hired a person with a masters in CompSci from Syracuse. She didn’t know what null was. Nor did she know how to write a single line of

by atonse 7y ago

I have a BS in CompSci. I hired a person with a masters in CompSci from Syracuse. She didn’t know what null was. Nor did she know how to write a single line of code. Which leads me to believe that Either she lied about that degree (unlikely because her visa was tied to it), or that a masters isn’t a sign of anything.

romanovcode 7y ago
> masters isn’t a sign of anything. This is true, however people making decisions do not hold this opinion.
slumdev 7y ago
If decades of autodidact humblebrags and anti-university anecdata haven't convinced employers and the world, one more comment isn't going to do it.
- javagram 7y ago
  Parent has a BS, it’s not necessarily an anti-university statement. I have an MS but my undergrad degree was liberal arts, I’m sure there are plenty of BS comp sci degree holders who know as much or more than me about topics. Requiring an MS for immigration is questionable to me.
juskrey 7y ago
It is a sign of compliance: someone who favors career over skills. Not even loyalty though.
dx87 7y ago
It depends on what she did during school. I've worked with someone who had a masters in CompSci who couldn't use a computer to save their life, but they could write algorithms and design systems no problem. They had no interest in programming, but loved the mathematical side of it.
corn_dog 7y ago
Then why did you hire them?
phenkdo 7y ago
Exceptions & anecdata can be found anywhere... I am not saying a graduate degree is the only necessary qualification, but one among other such as their OSS contributions, relevant work experience etc. But strict enforcement is needed to prevent H1b fraud by body-shoppers. I do believe there is a significant need for H1b developers, just a higher quality filter.
- ireadfaces 7y ago
  Not just exceptions. I have hoards of friends who have bachelors degree and they moved in through H1 route, but now working in FAANG or similar competitive start-ups because they are skilful and are making 130k+. But I got your point, there has to be a quantifiable way to judge talent.

by atonse 7y ago

romanovcode 7y ago

> masters isn’t a sign of anything. This is true, however people making decisions do not hold this opinion.

slumdev 7y ago

If decades of autodidact humblebrags and anti-university anecdata haven't convinced employers and the world, one more comment isn't going to do it.

javagram 7y ago
Parent has a BS, it’s not necessarily an anti-university statement. I have an MS but my undergrad degree was liberal arts, I’m sure there are plenty of BS comp sci degree holders who know as much or more than me about topics. Requiring an MS for immigration is questionable to me.

juskrey 7y ago

It is a sign of compliance: someone who favors career over skills. Not even loyalty though.

dx87 7y ago

It depends on what she did during school. I've worked with someone who had a masters in CompSci who couldn't use a computer to save their life, but they could write algorithms and design systems no problem. They had no interest in programming, but loved the mathematical side of it.

corn_dog 7y ago

Then why did you hire them?

phenkdo 7y ago

Exceptions & anecdata can be found anywhere... I am not saying a graduate degree is the only necessary qualification, but one among other such as their OSS contributions, relevant work experience etc. But strict enforcement is needed to prevent H1b fraud by body-shoppers. I do believe there is a significant need for H1b developers, just a higher quality filter.

ireadfaces 7y ago
Not just exceptions. I have hoards of friends who have bachelors degree and they moved in through H1 route, but now working in FAANG or similar competitive start-ups because they are skilful and are making 130k+. But I got your point, there has to be a quantifiable way to judge talent.