> In my opinion, the problem is that people going into these degree programs (CS included) assuming that they will come out prepared to work in those fields. A

> In my opinion, the problem is that people going into these degree programs (CS included) assuming that they will come out prepared to work in those fields. Ain't that the big dirty secret about most degrees - you learn most of what you need on the job. I don't think you can get real-world exposure soon enough, at least so you know what you're working toward. I wish my school had had a co-op program. I dropped out of one program because I realized during a boring internship that this is what I was being prepared for. Instead of straight to college, I'll encourage my kids to get low-level jobs in their desired industry, out of high school (if not before).