Posted by dawnerd on 08/09/06 07:40

Richard Levasseur wrote:
> dawnerd wrote:
> > Richard Levasseur wrote:
> > > Armando Padilla wrote:
> > >
> > > It is a very handy 12% at times, though. I've solved some problems
> > > using my edumakashun that would've taken me much longer otherwise.
> > > Most important are learning inside and out common design patterns and
> > > knowing when to use them. This is also where books about specific
> > > languages can come in handy since they usually have an example project
> > > they're developing to illustrate their points.
> > >
> > > Additionally, simply having a college degree will open many more doors
> > > for you. Many jobs won't even consider you unless you have a degree.
> > > A degree is (generally speaking) a good indicator if the person is
> > > capable or not.
> >
> > The problem with IT jobs, at least that I have seen, is that employers
> > don't know much about what they are hiring you for, but know what certs
> > are and in turn only hire people who go out and get certified, even if
> > someone who isn't certified can do a better job.
> >
>
> If you aren't being interviewed by, at least one, technical person,
> then either:
> They're small business, start up, or otherwise don't have large amount
> of resources to have a technical lead, or
> They're a large inept business with a lot of overhead and not the best
> work environment.
>
> > I don't think it's really even needed to go to college to get into
> > programming. If you know what your doing, well isn't that enough? To
> > some it is, but again, employers often rely only on a certificate that
> > you know what you are doing.
>
> There needs to be a new term for people who write software, one that
> fits into a catchy acronym like IT. We aren't IT. IT admins the
> servers, helps people with their mice, and makes the network run.
>
> There's a big difference between IT, software engineers, hardware
> engineers, and web developers, IMO. There's also a big difference
> between an engineer, developer, and programmer, again, IMO.
>
> Anyone can program, but not everyone can program well.
> Anyone can solve that programming problem, but not everyone can solve
> it well.
> Anyone can go to college, but not everyone is cut out for college.
>
> College teaches you a lot more than just 'how to program;' it teaches
> you how to think, how to write; how to be a better member of society.
>
> It is, after all, called "Computer *Science*," emphasis on the science
> because there is a theory and science behind it all. And really, any
> web developer should learn it, they are probably the least formally
> educated programmers out of anyone. Most of it is actually very
> interesting, especially compiler and database design.

I agree with you on the college part. Some people are just born able to
think through problems and programming. I will not attend computer
science; however, I am starting a game development firm, and I am sure
I will be taking at least a few business courses.

I also don't think that you can be taught to think better. Just like
you cannot be taught how to write. It's something you have to discover
on your own.

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