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From: stan@drilltech.UUCP (Stan Hanks)
Newsgroups: net.cse
Subject: Re: Value of Computer Science degree
Message-ID: <18@drilltech.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 23-Feb-86 20:27:40 EST
Article-I.D.: drilltec.18
Posted: Sun Feb 23 20:27:40 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Feb-86 06:32:53 EST
References: <4514@kestrel.ARPA> <3407@nsc.UUCP> <4588@kestrel.ARPA> <1404@ames.UUCP>
Reply-To: stan@drilltech.UUCP (Stan Hanks)
Distribution: net
Organization: Teleco Oilfield Services, Drilling Systems Technology, Houston, Tx
Lines: 31
Summary: Value of people, not piece of paper


There seems to be a common thread of misconception involved in this 
discussion. Namely, that all BSEE's or BSCS's or random BA's are plug-
compatible within their discipline. This is patently not the case.

What is of value in your education -- technical or otherwise -- is that
it gives you some ablility to use your mind to solve your problems. In
the CS arena this most often means (1) knowing the "classical" solutions
to certain types of problems [generalizes to "don't re-invent the wheel"],
(2) knowing enough theory to give yourself a better understanding of the
principles involved in the problem at hand [generalizes to "if you do 
re-invent the wheel, don't give it 5 sides"], (3) having the ability to 
go off and actually attempt to solve your problem [generalizes to "know 
where the tools are so you at least don't have to re-invent them too"].

In my book, your degree has no intrinsic quality or value; it is a statment
that you attended university X and performed well enough not to be expelled.
The value of this attendance is directly proportional to your ability to
perform in a satisfactory manner -- and how much of this you gleaned for
yourself as opposed to have been force-fed in class.

It is my experience that the formal education process leading to degrees
is in general worthless unless the individuals involved are interested
enough in the subject to go off and learn more on their own.

My credentials? BA in EE/CS, minor in Art History, graduate work in CS.


Stan Hanks
Senior Research Scientist
Teleco Oilfield Services, Drilling System Technology