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The computer science degree isn’t dead

spectrum.ieee.org

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Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#71

Post by lifestyleguru »

ehnto wrote: post #23
taurath wrote: post #19

If one is thinking about not getting a degree and trying to go straight to work, as someone who did so (albiet out of poverty rather than choice) but didn't end up like Zuck, please heed my warning: Social capital matters more than just about anyone who has a degree can understand and tell you or mentor you about, because the majority of them have always had it, and they tend not even to interact with people without…

To a much smaller extent due to where I live, I noticed this too. From merely the fact that I had a (local economy relative) high paying software job and that I could "make stuff happen" for people with capital or people in the "boys club", I was introduced to an entirely different layer of the city I had no idea about. I noticed how effortlessly the signals transfer and how it all feels very meritocratic, you don't…

Take me on your helicopter, Jeffrey.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#72

Post by lifestyleguru »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #27
Traubenfuchs wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would actually be good for us… I never understood why software engineers were so excited about open source and teaching everyone to code. Why aren‘t we more like doctors or lawyers?

Why aren't doctors or lawyers more like us?

That'd be 200 bucks for an answer.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#73

Post by mkl95 »

photochemsyn wrote: post #6

If you’re going to get a CS degree, do it in a master’s degree program. Get your undergraduate degree in anything else that involves at least some mathematics, I’d recommend physics, chemistry, molecular biology, planetary sciences - probability, calculus, linear algebra. Engineering is somewhat more on the vocational side, but that works too. Why? You don’t narrow your scope at the beginning!

> probability, calculus, linear algebra

All of these are mandatory in EU universities' CS programmes and are taught with relative rigor, particularly linear algebra. Calculus is called "Analysis" and usually covers all of Calc I plus a bit of Calc II.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#74

Post by lifestyleguru »

jongjong wrote: post #61
taurath wrote: post #19

If one is thinking about not getting a degree and trying to go straight to work, as someone who did so (albiet out of poverty rather than choice) but didn't end up like Zuck, please heed my warning: Social capital matters more than just about anyone who has a degree can understand and tell you or mentor you about, because the majority of them have always had it, and they tend not even to interact with people without…

Yes 100%. I was born upper middle class. I have a BIT from a global top 50 University. I understood this after working in cryptocurrency sector in Germany. After I left Australia and moved to Europe, I realized after some time that 'the matrix' had demoted me into a lower social class. I had to work harder for less money and had access to fewer opportunities. Then I joined the crypto sector and the people there seeme…

DACH societies are extremely class based, in fact most of European royal families come from there. They take it as a point of honor to be rude or at least gruff in daily interactions, it's not about you. Their cynicism is indeed a poison, no need for it as the real life will bring enough unexpected challenges.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#75

Post by pipes »

taurath wrote: post #19

If one is thinking about not getting a degree and trying to go straight to work, as someone who did so (albiet out of poverty rather than choice) but didn't end up like Zuck, please heed my warning: Social capital matters more than just about anyone who has a degree can understand and tell you or mentor you about, because the majority of them have always had it, and they tend not even to interact with people without…

Hi, can you elaborate, I don't think I understand what you mean.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#77

Post by hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm »

vanuatu wrote: post #40

Im quite bullish on CS degrees, they equip you with a network and the general "vibe" of being in a common environment with other smart passionate kids that push you to challenge yourself also right now nothing is higher signal than a new grad who built a product with actual paying users

Ironic. I did both a humanities and a CS degree. The CS degree was filled with either south asian internationals or people who just want to make money. The rest were antisocial dudes. Humanities however was filled with young social women. The experiences I got from the latter was a huge ego and confidence boost.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#78

Post by diek »

LtWorf wrote: post #54
photochemsyn wrote: post #6

If you’re going to get a CS degree, do it in a master’s degree program. Get your undergraduate degree in anything else that involves at least some mathematics, I’d recommend physics, chemistry, molecular biology, planetary sciences - probability, calculus, linear algebra. Engineering is somewhat more on the vocational side, but that works too. Why? You don’t narrow your scope at the beginning!

Isn't it normal to study mathematics in a computer science bachelor program in USA? That country never ceases to astonish me lol.

FWIW, any accredited CS degree program in the US will have rigorous math and science requirements: https://www.abet.org/accreditation/accreditation-criteria/cr...

I don't think it was worded very well, but I think the parent comment was saying, "the bulk of CS can be covered in a masters program, so take an undergrad degree that has the same overlap in math/science, but a different focus". I'm not sure I agree, spreading the absorption of that knowledge over 4 years can be beneficial.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#79

Post by tietjens »

Kwpolska wrote: post #64
zerobees wrote: post #14

My impression is that in the past year or so, IEEE journals have been leaning pretty heavily into low-quality, AI-generated articles. And looks like this author produced not one, not two, but three career advice columns in a single day - impressive: https://spectrum.ieee.org/u/brian-jenney

IEEE Spectrum is one of the many things that is always high on the HN front page, but is never worth reading.

That’s true but often the discussion in the comments are.

Re: The computer science degree isn’t dead

#80

Post by svara »

jongjong wrote: post #61
taurath wrote: post #19

If one is thinking about not getting a degree and trying to go straight to work, as someone who did so (albiet out of poverty rather than choice) but didn't end up like Zuck, please heed my warning: Social capital matters more than just about anyone who has a degree can understand and tell you or mentor you about, because the majority of them have always had it, and they tend not even to interact with people without…

Yes 100%. I was born upper middle class. I have a BIT from a global top 50 University. I understood this after working in cryptocurrency sector in Germany. After I left Australia and moved to Europe, I realized after some time that 'the matrix' had demoted me into a lower social class. I had to work harder for less money and had access to fewer opportunities. Then I joined the crypto sector and the people there seeme…

While I can only peripherally relate to the specifics of your story, I think it beautifully illustrates how interesting and mind expanding it is to spend time in different cultural contexts, and that different cultures can very much co-exist in the same countries or even in the same people.

Everyone should do it more, it really helps put the uncompromising convictions of people around you into perspective and see them as what they often are: a lack of understanding for the breadth of human experience.

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