Is it worth it to get a BS, Comp. Sci. any more?

[FuzzyBee]

I'm not just asking this because I don't have a job, either. It looks to me like companies now are looking for people with skills in certain software packages rather than people that know how to program. Who learns PeopleSoft or JD Edwards packages in school? If you can't learn them in school, how are you supposed to have these skills?

I think that these days you should only get a BS, C.S. if you know you are looking to get a Master's in Computer Science.

 

[The Stigenator]

if you learn to be a programmer at a univ / college that holds more weight than the same course at some private place (like devry).

However if you want to do MCSE and CNE and stuff go to those private places.

IMHO there will be always a need for programmers, not just programmers, good programmers. If your a good programmer then you will have no problems finding a job.

 

[Codewiz]

IMHO there will be always a need for programmers, not just programmers, good programmers. If your a good programmer then you will have no problems finding a job.

Well I consider myself a pretty damn good programmer and I have only been able to get a consulting job doing some programming work. Right now, no company wants to risk money/time to take an entry level programmer. They want someone with at least 2-3 years of development experience.

Yes there will always be a need for programmers but just because you are a good programmer doesn't mean finding a job will be easy. I can't get my foot in the door with companys. If I could get some interviews then I know I wouldn't have a problem landing a job but getting a company to even want to talk to me is the problem.

 

[chizow]

Go CS/DIS, it'll make your more marketable.

Chiz

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
If I could get some interviews then I know I wouldn't have a problem landing a job but getting a company to even want to talk to me is the problem.

Ditto. It's making me want to lie on my resume, but my conscience won't allow me to.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: fuzzy bee

Originally posted by: Codewiz
If I could get some interviews then I know I wouldn't have a problem landing a job but getting a company to even want to talk to me is the problem.

Ditto. It's making me want to lie on my resume, but my conscience won't allow me to.

Yah, very bad idea nowadays to misrepresent yourself at any time in the interview process. Employer's are scrutinizing resumes and experience far more than in the recent past, and intensive background checks (where they actually call all your refs and former employers and check on tenure and education etc.) are the norm.

Chiz

 

[FuzzyBee]

Yah, very bad idea nowadays to misrepresent yourself at any time in the interview process.

Exactly. Besides, it'll probably come back to bite you in the ass later if you do get the job.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

IMHO there will be always a need for programmers, not just programmers, good programmers. If your a good programmer then you will have no problems finding a job.

Well I consider myself a pretty damn good programmer and I have only been able to get a consulting job doing some programming work. Right now, no company wants to risk money/time to take an entry level programmer. They want someone with at least 2-3 years of development experience.

Yes there will always be a need for programmers but just because you are a good programmer doesn't mean finding a job will be easy. I can't get my foot in the door with companys. If I could get some interviews then I know I wouldn't have a problem landing a job but getting a company to even want to talk to me is the problem.

That is always the case in no matter what field you go to. Right now I want to move higher up the food chain and become technical lead or something, however all jobs want 2-3 years experience :|

 

[Shadowedge]

CS Degree != "Become a programmer". Or at least it shouldn't anyway.

A CS Degree is supposed to teach you the science behind it all, the theory of computation, operating systems, database design, etc. You are supposed to come away with knowledge of algorithms. You are supposed to know the design behind data structures, not just how to use them in C++ standard library. You are then supposed to use all this knowledge and be able to apply it in a programming language.

The problem now is that if your school focuses on the theory and you don't learn the practical, no one would want to hire you, as you can't immediately come in and contribute code. (which leads to people lying about thier computer language skills, which leads to more and more employers scrutinizing resumes.)

Also it seems more companies are breaking the the software developer's job into a designer's job and a programmer's job. This is where places like DeVry come in, because they stress the languages, get their students to produce some code, and thus have something to show.

If you just want to "be a programmer", maybe going to a place like DeVry is better. If you want to be more than that, stay with the CS degree, do well, learn the languages, and write some code. Work on a significant piece of software and distribute it with your resume. You may get a few more calls

 

[FuzzyBee]

I have my BS, C.S. now. I have plenty of experience in embedded development (VxWorks), which is supposed to be a hot area. Unfortunately, everybody wants technical professional experience. It's a Catch-22 - you can't get a job to get professional experience without having the professional experience that you would get from the job.