Re: ANNOUNCE: Vacant Job Positions

In article <3120B741.3482_at_crl.com>, john b <jointprd_at_crl.com> wrote:
>> > On the other hand, if I have no degree, but have been doing doing
>> > client/server, sockets, daemons, database, etc., programming, for
>> > the last few years, many places won't even read my resume. This
>> > seems strange to me.
>>
>
>I think we're spending more time on this post than corporate America is
>spending on interviewing. :)
>
>Correct my summary of this issue if I'm wrong.
>
>1) Corporate America does not recognize that there are very competent
>"non-degreed computer" people out there.

Not entirely true. DSC does hire non-degreed programmers, and promotes them when warranted. I personally know one of the people at the top of DSC's technical ladder who does not have a degree, and another two people on the next rung down. We do not hire uneducated programmers, and we probably would not hire an inexperienced programmer without a degree. The hardest problem for people without degrees is getting that first job.

>2) Corporate America is probably bypassing a great source of knowledge.

Probably not. These people are exceptional. Still, it is stupid to discard candidates solely because they do not have a degree.

>3) Most of corporate America is prejudice.

That's "prejudiced". I think you will find that the more peripheral software development is to a company's core business, the more reluctant they will be to hire non-degreed people. The reason is that companies that are not in the software business are less able to evaluate technical expertise.

Personally, I am quite prejudiced against people who misspell words or use poor grammar on a resume; particularly if the person is a native English speaker.

>4) All things equal, a degree will always win out.

Probably true.

>5) Having a degree does not make you any better than anyone else.

True.

6) Not having a degree more than likely will limit initial opportunities, but if persistent things will work out.

Probably true.

>7) Good experience is worth just as much as a degree.

Experience and education are complimentary. Learning by experience is the slowest way; it is much faster to learn from the experience of others through reading.

Programming is an intellectual activity; techniques can be learned and saved until needed. This is different from physical activities (like pottery); significant experience is required to master any new technique.

-- 
Kevin Cline