Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ames!ncar!gatech!bloom-beacon!bu-cs!cd
From: cd@bu-cs.BU.EDU (Clarence K. Din)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: The need for an advanced degree
Message-ID: <27198@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Date: 12 Jan 89 16:41:20 GMT
References: <8901101352.AA22246@decwrl.dec.com> <18960@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Reply-To: cd@bu-cs.bu.edu (Clarence K. Din)
Followup-To: comp.edu
Organization: Boston University
Lines: 45

In article <18960@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> matloff@iris.ucdavis.edu (Norm Matloff) writes:
>In article <8901101352.AA22246@decwrl.dec.com> ciarfella@levers.dec.com (Paul Ciarfella) writes:
>
>Let's use this notation:
>
>   Group A:  Domestic, straight from BS to MS.
>
>   Group B:  Domestic, work in industry before MS.
>
>   Group C:  Foreign students.
>
>>	Which are more cooperative, ie., who is the better team player
>>	when working on group projects?
>
>I really haven't observed much difference between the 3 groups in this 
>aspect.

I would think all three are pretty much equal in different respects.
Group A has the benefit of understanding the theoretical basis of the
project.  Group B has BEEN INVOLVED with group projects before; they
know HOW TO COMPLETE A PROJECT IN TERMS OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS (sorry
if I'm getting a little carried away with the emphasis).  Group C may
be simply a "foreign" case of Groups A or B.

Problems?  Group A is the most grade-oriented.  As Norm and a few others
have pointed out, these are kids who have been taught to be competitive as
undergraduates.  Group B is grade-oriented, too, but to a lesser degree;
these people need a "passing grade" (usually a "B"), since their
companies are probably paying for the course.  Group C needs "passing grades"
as well, since they are usually supported by some form of tuition
scholarship.  Usually, however, Group C gets the highest grades of all three.

Members of Group B seem to be the most cooperative, friendly, and
motivated (please note I am combining all three).  These people have an
equal balance of theory and practice.  If a person wants to continue
studying and studying, obtaining more degrees along the way, that's fine,
however, it's always nice to have a little industry experience in your
storehouse of credentials.  It tells your future employer that you can
definitely apply your knowledge, rather than just preach it.

Sincerely,

Clarence

cd@bu-cs.bu.edu