As a, possibly self proclaimed, security expert I'm not particularly impressed with the blog posting. Why? The premise is that Computer Security is a pinnacle

As a, possibly self proclaimed, security expert I'm not particularly impressed with the blog posting. Why? The premise is that Computer Security is a pinnacle and now the protagonist is looking back, it looks a bit lame and has a feeling of being duped! In the posting you could probably replace "Computer Security" with any other vocationally targeted course. So let's pick "Competitive Baking". Baking is hard (seriously, try it yourself), you need to achieve consistency, be meticulous with picking the ingredients and develop a reliable process. Nobody is just going to give you the recipe so you can say "I'm the best" (apologies to Peach). Specialized, "getting you ready for the industry" courses developed and taught by an academic isn't going to make anyone satisfied or achieve excellence. The academic probably hasn't worked in the industry (in the USA they've probably spent lots of their time trying to get tenure) and, when developing the course, was just projecting what they thought a "real job" would entail. Most academics will not have the experience to do that. This is alluded to in the blog entry (point 2.) where programming was required for an internship. The tone suggests that this was a "surprise". In the real, non "Ivory Tower" world of computer security, programming is required. Computer security requires creating new or changing existing programs. If you are just coming out of college, hiring managers are looking for what you can do in the future. Experience is something someone can bring to the table NOW, college grads are unlikely to have that experience. So, if you have a broad and comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals; all the hard theoretical computer science things, you will have an outstanding base from which to build on. The other path to a job is by savants who get their skills by doing (and demonstrating) and figuring it out themselves. Savants are rare. In the end, it is all about what you add to the frosting on the cake. (see baking above. The cake is not a lie).