Re: degree requirement

["Bull, Jeff" <BullJ1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe that a good degree is a useful indication of a young candidates
ability to work at, and stick at something, and perhaps too that they have a
measure of intelligence.  As for the subject of the degree . . . a Phys Ed
or History degree would give me no indication of any aptitude for a
computing career, and the same can be true of Math or Science degrees.
Personality, honesty, sincerity, integrity are more valuable guides that can
only be judged in an interview, by screening out all c.v's without a degree
on them is blinkered, short-sightedness in the extreme.  The importance of
qualifications should decrease as relevant experience increases.
        I got into computing 17 years ago after a 9 year stretch in the
military, in a totally unrelated role.  I was a home-computer geek while in
the military, on leaving I took three consecutive computing courses over one
year (i.e. NO degree) came top, or close to in all, and have had a
successful career in computing since.  BUT, I do come up against the
corporate degree-policy every time I change job (not too frequently).   
        There are good and bad in all walks of life, the computing industry
is no exception.  The worst, the very worst, colleague I ever had the
misfortune to program alongside (he took over six months to complete a
fairly straight-forward report program) was probably also the best
qualified, on paper.
        
Jeff Bull.



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