Re: ANNOUNCE: Vacant Job Positions

> ==========The Water Walker, 2/8/96==========
 

> In article <4fe3ov$pc0_at_qualcomm.com>, <nabbasi_at_qualcomm.com> wrote:
>
> >And why would you not want to have a college degree is the question
> >I would ask. If you real an able person, then you would be
 able to get
> >a college degree in the field you enjoy working in.
 

> not necessarily. I had been pursuing a BS in CS untill last
> term. Our CS
> department here at OSU requires 3 terms of physics with calc.
> and even though
> (not to toot my own horn) am a very able programmer, I was
> forced to change my
> major (droping out and/or transfering are out of the question)
> since I was unable
> to do these physics classes. So you see, just because you are
> good at something, and
> enjoy it, doesn't mean that you can get a degree in it.

Now, calc. is not that far up the mathematical maturity curve and the early physics courses are still rather concrete. So difficulty at this level says you are somewhat cut off from a considerable body of more abstract thinking that is germaine. The demonstrated ability to deal with abstraction over a wide range of subjects matters is a valid criterion. Although whether a CS degree insures your qualification is debatable, inability to clear some basic hurdles in related fields in order to get the CS degree should concern those employers that are dealing with problems where demonstrated maturity at thinking and working abstractly matters.

In my experience, people who took readily to math and physics readily developed a high level of maturity in software development, as well. Coding is only a small part of modern programming. Creating an abstract model of things is much a part of it and is much like forming a physical theory. You must understand what is important and what should be ignored. You must be able to do theorem-like work to do many calculations in the most appropriate form. That happens in business problems as well as other contexts.

So, a CS degree is a good filter for many jobs. You should look very hard at why you had trouble. Was it ability or attitude or inadequate background or lack of applying yourself? If you were inadequately prepared, it would be worth your while to go back and fix that. Life can be hard sometimes and each of us must be willing to take responsibility and control of ourselves and work hard when life is hard.

Good Day
Dick
Dick.Menninger_at_DaytonOH.ATTGIS.COM Received on Fri Feb 09 1996 - 00:00:00 CET