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Another problem is that just because a person graduates with a degree in X, doesn't mean they are any use at X. I know a bunch of CS degreed people who got out

Another problem is that just because a person graduates with a degree in X, doesn't mean they are any use at X. I know a bunch of CS degreed people who got out of virtually every coding course in university. Unsurprisingly, they don't work as software engineers at the moment. They are technically part of the group of potential employees for technical work, but they are arguably worse than someone who skimmed Python for Dummies.

dragonwriter 5y ago
> Another problem is that just because a person graduates with a degree in X, doesn’t mean they are any use at X Perhaps true, but this: > I know a bunch of CS degreed people who got out of virtually every coding course in university. is arguably a different problem, because CS isn’t Software Engineering, though the right focus within CS study can be a good preparation for work in software engineering. > They are technically part of the group of potential employees for technical work, If they aren’t working as software engineers and aren’t seeking jobs as software engineers, are they really?
- MattGaiser 5y ago
  > If they aren’t working as software engineers and aren’t seeking jobs as software engineers, are they really? Practically, no, but for the purposes of surveys and government reports, yes.
nradov 5y ago
A CS degree was never intended to produce skilled coders. It's not a vocational training course.
- unishark 5y ago
  ABET accreditation (not as important in CS as engineering, but still very common) requires a CS program to teach software development and strong programming skills. Training for professional roles (like engineering) is essentially vocational training. There is an industry need that drives the curriculum requirements.
- bluedino 5y ago
  Someone should tell that to companies hiring programmers.
  - GeorgeTirebiter 5y ago
    If one succeeds in a CS program, then "programming" should be straightforward. I have a CS degree. We never learned any computer languages in college; you were expected to 'pick up' them well-enough to succeed in the course. (These languages were APL, Maclisp, and PL/I). A CS degree can be a proxy for 'this person proved they can learn computer-related stuff'.

dragonwriter 5y ago

> Another problem is that just because a person graduates with a degree in X, doesn’t mean they are any use at X Perhaps true, but this: > I know a bunch of CS degreed people who got out of virtually every coding course in university. is arguably a different problem, because CS isn’t Software Engineering, though the right focus within CS study can be a good preparation for work in software engineering. > They are technically part of the group of potential employees for technical work, If they aren’t working as software engineers and aren’t seeking jobs as software engineers, are they really?

MattGaiser 5y ago
> If they aren’t working as software engineers and aren’t seeking jobs as software engineers, are they really? Practically, no, but for the purposes of surveys and government reports, yes.

nradov 5y ago

A CS degree was never intended to produce skilled coders. It's not a vocational training course.

unishark 5y ago
ABET accreditation (not as important in CS as engineering, but still very common) requires a CS program to teach software development and strong programming skills. Training for professional roles (like engineering) is essentially vocational training. There is an industry need that drives the curriculum requirements.
bluedino 5y ago
Someone should tell that to companies hiring programmers.
- GeorgeTirebiter 5y ago
  If one succeeds in a CS program, then "programming" should be straightforward. I have a CS degree. We never learned any computer languages in college; you were expected to 'pick up' them well-enough to succeed in the course. (These languages were APL, Maclisp, and PL/I). A CS degree can be a proxy for 'this person proved they can learn computer-related stuff'.