Going to university does not broaden the mind

Post by AnaniasAnanas » Sun, Nov 25, 2018, 12:55 PM UTC

scarface74 wrote: post #280

AnaniasAnanas wrote: post #278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> On one hand, you have computer science majors who know theory but can’t code their way out of a wet paper bag. If their plan in life is to do research on theoretical CS, does it matter? That being said, I doubt that these are that many of them considering that most CS degrees focus on programming. > And let’s not forget the computer science majors who can code and know theory but don’t know anything about business…

Out of all the CS majors, what percentage do you really think are going to be in an ivory tower doing “research” and not working for for profit businesses? Have you never been on discussion boards where brand new CS majors ask for advice on how they can convince their boss to move from their $x million dollar oracle implementation and Java stack to some open source NoSQL database and Node? I don’t see too many people…

Post by scarface74 » Sun, Nov 25, 2018, 3:38 PM UTC

yardie wrote: post #245

scarface74 wrote: post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until they try to get that first job out of college...

Ah yes, the infamous “entry level” position that requires 3 years experience of Java|C++|C#. My first entry level job required C# knowledge. So I went to the nearest Barnes and Nobles and read the Microsoft guide cover to cover. I was not a C# major in uni but being able to study, abstract, and internalize concepts was something I did learn.

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Nov 25, 2018, 3:59 PM UTC

derangedHorse wrote: post #263

finnthehuman wrote: post #258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't describe the cliche post-highschool hard left swing of someone with a sheltered upbringing as "broadening". I don't mean to be too dismissive, but I spent enough time in a university town after my own graduation to see this trajectory play out a number of times. Kids come in, and adopt a new set of ideas that suit their new environment just as blindly as they adopted ideas compatible with their previous en…

You definitely are “painting with a broad brush” As someone who has also spent a lot of time in a college environment I disagree that students blindly accept new positions to suit what’s around them. In fact, I would say a change in opinion shows they were not only able to take in new information, but also make the personal decision to change firmly held values that no longer make sense.

Post by scarface74 » Sun, Nov 25, 2018, 5:24 PM UTC

yardie wrote: post #284

scarface74 wrote: post #283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes it sucks from both ends. Companies aren’t willing to invest in teaching employees because they know as soon as they do, the employee will leave for greener pastures and the employee can’t get experience without a job or a job without experience. The usual retort is why not bring someone in as a junior, train them, and give them a raise to market rates? But then you’ve invested x amount of dollars on someone and y…

But the whole point of entry-level positions is you get someone inexperienced at below market rates. What they are really aiming at is getting someone experienced but desperate enough to take an underpaid position. Then hope they don't leave for a better paying job elsewhere.

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Nov 25, 2018, 10:14 PM UTC

shanghaiaway wrote: post #102

jedberg wrote: post #92

University definitely broadened my mind. I grew up in an area that was 99+% white and 50+% Jewish. We literally had “the black family” with twins who were our top track stars. And a few Asian families who hid their Asianness. It was at University that I learned about Asian culture. It was the first time I used chopsticks. It was the first time I drank tea without sugar. It was the first time I ate Chinese food that w…

What's the difference between north and south China?