At this rate, there will surely come a time where college will be underrated.
College is Overrated
21–29 of 29 posts
Re: College is Overrated
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think actually the opposite is more likely to be true (despite having studied CS myself). A degree in computer science is probably among the easiest to do without, career-wise: solid coders are employable without a degree, especially if you get some stuff up on github or elsewhere on the internet. But non-technical people with no degree are not very easily employable at all, at least outside the service industry. A…
"A degree in computer science is probably among the easiest to do without, career wise: solid coders are employable without a degree..." That's like saying an MD is easiest to do without if you're looking to be something other than a doctor. Coders are not Computer Scientists. It's like comparing a physicist to an electrician. Being a good coder is a craft much, much more than it is a science. While I'm very tired of…
I do CS research in academia for a living, so I certainly agree that CS research is interesting, and that universities are relevant to it. ;-)
But I'm not sure that a CS bachelor's is actually as a career move necessary for that. Most people with CS bachelor's degrees do not get researchy jobs, or even vaguely algorithm-creation jobs; and many of the companies doing algorithm-type stuff (you mention Facebook) are the most willing to hire people without degrees. The vast majority of jobs for CS majors are programming jobs, though; that's who hires and is looking for the degree, and where most majors end up. If anything there's pressure on CS programs to move more towards preparing them better for that career path--- more C++, more software engineering, more team projects, less theory.
Re: College is Overrated
#23College is a time for exploring the expanses of human knowledge, the beauty of human relationships, and the depths of the human soul (1).
I can think of no other social construct or institution that provides as many broad avenues for personal growth as college (2). Children are limited by their lack of sufficient socialization, professionals and laborers are obligated to focus constantly if not narrowly, and those who have committed to marriage or parenthood pour energy into their loved ones.
College is not life's panacea, nor, I hope, is it the best time of your life, but it certainly can be more than just a bad bet.
(1) Let's not forget bottles, bongs, bottoms, and beats.
(2) There are plenty of alternatives for the intrepid.
Re: College is Overrated
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
"A degree in computer science is probably among the easiest to do without, career wise: solid coders are employable without a degree..." That's like saying an MD is easiest to do without if you're looking to be something other than a doctor. Coders are not Computer Scientists. It's like comparing a physicist to an electrician. Being a good coder is a craft much, much more than it is a science. While I'm very tired of…
I do CS research in academia for a living, so I certainly agree that CS research is interesting, and that universities are relevant to it. ;-) But I'm not sure that a CS bachelor's is actually as a career move necessary for that. Most people with CS bachelor's degrees do not get researchy jobs, or even vaguely algorithm-creation jobs; and many of the companies doing algorithm-type stuff (you mention Facebook) are the…
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Re: College is Overrated
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
"A degree in computer science is probably among the easiest to do without, career wise: solid coders are employable without a degree..." That's like saying an MD is easiest to do without if you're looking to be something other than a doctor. Coders are not Computer Scientists. It's like comparing a physicist to an electrician. Being a good coder is a craft much, much more than it is a science. While I'm very tired of…
I do CS research in academia for a living, so I certainly agree that CS research is interesting, and that universities are relevant to it. ;-) But I'm not sure that a CS bachelor's is actually as a career move necessary for that. Most people with CS bachelor's degrees do not get researchy jobs, or even vaguely algorithm-creation jobs; and many of the companies doing algorithm-type stuff (you mention Facebook) are the…
I think you're right. I think it's unfortunate that it's come down to this point where the degree is making itself less and less relevant by getting away from its own roots. Glad to hear you like it too :-D!
Re: College is Overrated
#26'College is overrated' is usually said by someone who became successful (I know, we can debate what 'successful' is, but I think everyone on HN can agree on a somewhat similar definition) without a degree or with a degree and then looks back and thinks they could have been successful 4 years sooner if they didn't waste time getting the degree. The problem with the statement, even if it 100% correct in their situation…
I think you can say the same for people that aren't successful.
Re: College is Overrated
#27College is completely overrated. We need to debunk the myth that a college degree leads to success. It doesn’t lead to a higher salary or better career. Well, it can. Though to me college is mostly my gateway to the careers I think I will enjoy and the knowledge & skills I desire.
If I hadn't gone to college, I would have ended up in a dead-end janitorial or factory job, stuck in a small town and never have been exposed to fine arts and web development.
Re: College is Overrated
#28I agree completely that college is completely overrated, but only regarding its ability a to create a successful professional. I think everyone should get at least a bachelors degree in their life on whatever field they are interested in, but they should do so because of a drive to expand their knowledge instead of making a degree a proverbial stepping stone to great-dom. That being said, if you have the determinatio…
I definitely agree with your statements, and I think this is in line with the mission of Skillshare, the author's new startup. People should be learning for the sake of learning! We need to rework our terminology when it comes to speaking about the value of an education; we should be thinking in terms of learning, not economics.
By the way, if you guys are really into the topic, then you should check out Skillshare's latest project on Kickstarter, an animated video (one of those kinetic typography types) about the impending Student Loan Crisis: http://kck.st/d0MG8o
Re: College is Overrated
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
"A degree in computer science is probably among the easiest to do without, career wise: solid coders are employable without a degree..." That's like saying an MD is easiest to do without if you're looking to be something other than a doctor. Coders are not Computer Scientists. It's like comparing a physicist to an electrician. Being a good coder is a craft much, much more than it is a science. While I'm very tired of…
I do CS research in academia for a living, so I certainly agree that CS research is interesting, and that universities are relevant to it. ;-) But I'm not sure that a CS bachelor's is actually as a career move necessary for that. Most people with CS bachelor's degrees do not get researchy jobs, or even vaguely algorithm-creation jobs; and many of the companies doing algorithm-type stuff (you mention Facebook) are the…
>But I'm not sure that a CS bachelor's is actually as a career move necessary for that.
You're probably right, from a technical standpoint, but it's going to be far easier to get that first professional gig if you have a CS degree.