7 ms·

IMHO: Don't bother with college. All information anyone could possibly need is available from libraries and the internet. If you learn what you need to know and

by lki876 6y ago

IMHO: Don't bother with college. All information anyone could possibly need is available from libraries and the internet. If you learn what you need to know and prove that you know it, people will hire you.

ignoramous 6y ago
If only colleges' sole purpose was to impart knowledge. I think they're a great place to meet like-minded people, form friendships, find potential co-founders, grow your network, get inspired by people some of whom are likely to be world's best at what they do. Another thing is colleges force you through a rigid system of semesters, courses, and exams that takes most of guess work out of the learning. Besides, I'd wager one needs a disproportionate amount of patience to be disciplined enough to follow their own curriculum of learning regardless of accessibility and availability of content. I am not saying the current system is the best humanity can do, but: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence
galoisgirl 6y ago
I like my surgeons like I like my women: with a formal education.
throwaway0a5e 6y ago
Yeah well unfortunately the HR department that screens resumes doesn't agree.
globular-toast 6y ago
In my experience, people who are self taught can be quite competent in a very narrow area (like frontend web development), but have vast, gaping holes in their knowledge when it comes to the big picture. I'm talking about really fundamental stuff like what an algorithm is, what memory is and why it's useful etc. University is such an important part of development overall that it really shouldn't be skipped. It's a shame that they've become overrun with stupid SJW/feminist nonsense these days, but I think it's still overall extremely valuable. You can't replicate the university environment at home. Not only that, you'll be looked over for many opportunities when compared with people with degrees. This isn't entirely unfair, given the justifications for university above, but it is a little. Unfortunately that's just the way it is, though. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

by lki876 6y ago

ignoramous 6y ago

If only colleges' sole purpose was to impart knowledge. I think they're a great place to meet like-minded people, form friendships, find potential co-founders, grow your network, get inspired by people some of whom are likely to be world's best at what they do. Another thing is colleges force you through a rigid system of semesters, courses, and exams that takes most of guess work out of the learning. Besides, I'd wager one needs a disproportionate amount of patience to be disciplined enough to follow their own curriculum of learning regardless of accessibility and availability of content. I am not saying the current system is the best humanity can do, but: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence

galoisgirl 6y ago

I like my surgeons like I like my women: with a formal education.

throwaway0a5e 6y ago

Yeah well unfortunately the HR department that screens resumes doesn't agree.

globular-toast 6y ago

In my experience, people who are self taught can be quite competent in a very narrow area (like frontend web development), but have vast, gaping holes in their knowledge when it comes to the big picture. I'm talking about really fundamental stuff like what an algorithm is, what memory is and why it's useful etc. University is such an important part of development overall that it really shouldn't be skipped. It's a shame that they've become overrun with stupid SJW/feminist nonsense these days, but I think it's still overall extremely valuable. You can't replicate the university environment at home. Not only that, you'll be looked over for many opportunities when compared with people with degrees. This isn't entirely unfair, given the justifications for university above, but it is a little. Unfortunately that's just the way it is, though. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.