Education may be "the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," in the wise words of Nelson Mandela, but is that true of education in all its forms?
That, indeed, has been the question of the day among Linux bloggers, who have recently been debating the value of the traditional computer science degree in particular.
"How worthwhile are Computer Science degrees?" asked the ever-contemplative team over at TuxRadar in an Open Ballot recently, thus kicking off the conversation.
"Many technology companies complain that graduates, even of Computer Science, arrive with little understanding of how to work in industry and often lack knowledge of basic coding paradigms," they added. "This seems a great shame to us, especially when there's so many high quality open source projects out there who'd love some students to help them out, and who they'd be happy to mentor in return."
FOSS aficionados have had no shortage of opinions on the topic -- at TuxRadar or beyond.
'It's a Trophy'
"I've been a developer for a few years and am completely self-taught," wrote Johnny in the comments on TuxRadar, for example. "The majority of people who I have worked with in the industry were also self-taught.
"When we were hiring recently and had to do interviews, the candidates who had degrees were often not as good as those who had more real-world experience," Johnny added.
Indeed, "it's a trophy, good for display only, but not much good for anything else," asserted Anonymous Penguin From The Kitchen. "Just like those ornamental swords hanging on the wall. Can't beat the humble kitchen chopper that's in daily use."
'I Don't Think I Learnt Anything Crucial'
Then again: "When I came to choosing what degree course to apply for, I was pretty sure a Computer Science degree would probably consist of an awful lot of teaching that I didn't require, since I'd already picked up quite a lot of knowledge by that point," chimed in blogger Paul Gideon Dann.
"In the end, I decided to go for something a little off the beaten track, and chose a degree in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, which was 50% CS and 50% AI," Dann added.
Even so, "all in all, I don't think I learnt anything crucial at university," Dann concluded.
'A Degree Is Not Needed'
Similar opinions could be heard down at the Linux blogosphere's Punchy Penguin Saloon.
"Most of the time a degree is not needed for even advanced programming tasks and never needed for systems admin work for the average, but a degree is needed to get past the less competent HR departments," consultant and Slashdot blogger Gerhard Mack offered.
Of course, "I really question if anyone with actual skills would want to work in a place that knows so little about the IT industry," he added.
"I have seen some specialized places that had a legitimate reason to need a degree, but those places are very high level work and I would only suggest a degree if you REALLY love programming and want to take it to a specialized level such as physics simulations, compression/encryption work, etc.," Mack concluded.
'One Path Among Many'
Similarly, "I have met excellent software engineers, programmers, and developers who had a CS degree and others who did not," agreed Chris Travers, a Slashdot blogger who works on the LedgerSMB project.
By the same token, "I have met many mediocre developers who had a CS degree and many who did not," Travers added.
"I suspect that in some areas of software development, a CS degree is extremely helpful, but I don't think it is ever required," he explained. "One thing the open source community is very good at doing is encouraging people to learn by both doing and by talking to those with a great deal of formal training or knowledge."
Such transfers of knowledge "can be compared to apprenticeships in the old guild system," he pointed out.
All in all, "I see a CS degree as one path among many," Travers concluded. "However, one clear advantage it has is that it is meaningful to people who do not know our industry and yet are in charge of screening resumes."
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Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:17 pm
IceChamber
Joined: 19 Nov 2012 Posts: 2
Well it depends on the individual himself it's all to do with your interest and should not be forced by anyone but I could just mention my opinion though, today we all use technology a lot and its close to us so by having a computer science diploma/degree will help you have a good carrier in the future because its something that is dynamically changing all the time and we need to keep up with the technology hence studying technology will help you a lot this is what I think because I myself have a degree in computer science.
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Last edited by IceChamber on Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:15 am; edited 1 time in total
Mon Nov 19, 2012 6:55 am
racingcar
Joined: 21 Nov 2012 Posts: 1
If someone is planning to develop his career in computing, it is very useful. It is a good professional recognition to develop the skills and experiences further.
Computer Science is a good field. If you can learn it you can find good jobs in the future. But the matter is how far you are good at it. You should know every areas of it. And you should have a interest on it. Otherwise it will be hard to continue.
It is worth if you are planing to continue your work in IT field.
Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:00 am
MikeJaden
Joined: 13 Jun 2013 Posts: 1
In the past two decades computers became ubiquitous in homes and workplaces. In the past five years they’ve become commonplace in our pockets, in the form of smartphones. Increasingly, understanding computers will become important to understanding society. Computer literacy will be the skill underlying all others in the next few decades, and learning how to code is by far the best way to acquire this skill. A lot of professional jobs expect that youve been to college. Although, self-taught developers, engineers and administrators are light years beyond those book-learnded folk.
Yes, of course. Computing is essential for any business because we can develop lots of applications to ease our work. Knowing about this amazing field will gives you lots of job opportunities to enhance your career.
Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:08 pm
JakeHopkins
Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Posts: 2
Yes, computer science is a broad subject and it is vital for any business. There are lots of opportunities for computer science degree holders. They can earn good income.
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