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Every time this discussion comes up eventually it's necessary to invoke the power of the signaling effect that a completed college degree has, particularly from
by marchustvedt 15y ago
Every time this discussion comes up eventually it's necessary to invoke the power of the signaling effect that a completed college degree has, particularly from a top tier university.
In an inefficient labor market with weak signals a degree is still relevant in demonstrating academic rigor, commitment, and follow-through. The drop-out sends a countersignal that would need to be balanced with a strong body of work outside of school.
Look, I think no matter what your degree was in, we're at a point where some amount self-directed study is expected of all job seekers. Most of my peers in CS at Michigan studied languages outside of the curriculum and regularly built side projects. That's expected with or without a degree.
An English degree at most top schools is no cakewalk. I would look seriously at hiring one, even for a product/technical position if they complemented it with self-taught skills that we needed.
Plus, you can build a team culture that isn't solely homogenous.
- cperciva 15y agoThat signalling effect mattered when 5% of the population had post-secondary education. It still matters a bit if you can get a degree from a top tier institution. If you get a degree from a non-top-tier institution (and there isn't anything exceptional about your degree as compared to everybody else graduating from the same institution) you haven't sent a meaningful signal at all.
- _delirium 15y agoTrue, but it still sends a baseline "did the normal thing" signal, or put differently, avoids sending the "college dropout or didn't go to college" negative signal.