Comments on: Misconceptions about computer science professions http://www.cydeweys.com/blog/2007/03/02/misconceptions-about-computer-science-professions/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:39:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cyde Weys http://www.cydeweys.com/blog/2007/03/02/misconceptions-about-computer-science-professions/comment-page-1/#comment-364 Cyde Weys Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:29:10 +0000 http://www.cydeweys.com/blog/index.php/2007/03/02/misconceptions-about-computer-science-professions/#comment-364 Well I've mostly been interviewing at companies with HR departments, so I suppose my outlook is slightly skewed. You're probably right about the smaller companies; they're just looking for the skills, not necessarily the degrees. And you're right about comp sci degrees not necessarily meaning someone knows how to program. I saw some scary stats that majority of applicants (college degree or not) don't actually know how to program. Scary. Which is probably why one of the companies I'm interviewing for had me complete a scripting test before getting to the second round of interviews. Well I’ve mostly been interviewing at companies with HR departments, so I suppose my outlook is slightly skewed. You’re probably right about the smaller companies; they’re just looking for the skills, not necessarily the degrees.

And you’re right about comp sci degrees not necessarily meaning someone knows how to program. I saw some scary stats that majority of applicants (college degree or not) don’t actually know how to program. Scary. Which is probably why one of the companies I’m interviewing for had me complete a scripting test before getting to the second round of interviews.

]]> By: Steve http://www.cydeweys.com/blog/2007/03/02/misconceptions-about-computer-science-professions/comment-page-1/#comment-363 Steve Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:08:59 +0000 http://www.cydeweys.com/blog/index.php/2007/03/02/misconceptions-about-computer-science-professions/#comment-363 This is not as true now as it was, say, 20 years ago, but you do not need a degree to become a computer programmer. Some of the most talented and knowledgeable programmers I know have no degree of any kind. When the article says "computer programmers usually are hired based on ability and not education" this is quite true, but not for every company. One of my college friends hires computer people all the time, and he will test any applicant on their ability and mostly ignore degrees. This is certainly changing, and the info may be out of date. For instance, any company with an HR dept. will probably NOT do this. Smaller computer companies, on the other hand, probably will. However, there is a reason for this, and that is that your average programming degree does NOT provide you with enough knowledge and skill to work as anything more than a novice programmer. You need to have done all kinds of extra stuff in order to gain the skills wanted in the workplace. This is not as true now as it was, say, 20 years ago, but you do not need a degree to become a computer programmer. Some of the most talented and knowledgeable programmers I know have no degree of any kind. When the article says “computer programmers usually are hired based on ability and not education” this is quite true, but not for every company. One of my college friends hires computer people all the time, and he will test any applicant on their ability and mostly ignore degrees. This is certainly changing, and the info may be out of date. For instance, any company with an HR dept. will probably NOT do this. Smaller computer companies, on the other hand, probably will. However, there is a reason for this, and that is that your average programming degree does NOT provide you with enough knowledge and skill to work as anything more than a novice programmer. You need to have done all kinds of extra stuff in order to gain the skills wanted in the workplace.

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