• thanks_shakey_snake@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    69
    ·
    11 months ago

    Like… Literally any of it. I’m a software engineer and my degree didn’t have anything to do with software or engineering.

    I’d have to really stretch to something like “time management” or “active listening” to find any connection, lol.

    • mesamune@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      31
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Computer Science was great dont get me wrong, but I totally agree. Comp Sci helped with some of the basics, but didnt prepare you at all on the soft skills that get you ahead, nor why task management, version control, and other such concepts are so important.

      • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        11 months ago

        My university created an entirely new school because while the computer science graduates could do computer science they couldn’t write an email or contribute to a meeting.

    • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      11 months ago

      It’s crazy that someone can go through college for comp sci and never touch things like VSC or PuTTY until they’re in the workforce.

      Meanwhile a programming boot camp or IT Security Analyst boot camp will have you digging into the tools of the trade immediately.

      • thanks_shakey_snake@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        11 months ago

        Heh yeah. Lots of fresh grads don’t even really know anything about application development. Like they have a handful of sorting algorithms memorised and can explain what a compiler does (and are thinking about writing one some day) but can’t actually build anything.

        Often, they can pick it up quickly, whatever the “it” is… But it doesn’t give them that much of a head start compared to someone who did a shorter program or self-taught.

        I’ve never used PuTTY either, tbh… Is that just what Windows users use for SSH stuff?

        • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          11 months ago

          Not anymore, it’s a terminal emulator but most have transitioned to just using Poweshell to SSH into things. I like multi-tabbed putty and use it heavily when configuring network appliances.

          It’s also not a Windows thing lol you can install it natively in Debian, Fedora, and Arch that I know of with the basic package manager of each.

          • thanks_shakey_snake@lemmy.ca
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            11 months ago

            Oh lol TIL. I just read “PuTTY is an SSH and telnet client, developed originally by Simon Tatham for the Windows platform” on putty.org.

            I wonder how many of the people I work with have used it before. Maybe I’m an outlier for never encountering it.

            • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              11 months ago

              I’ve never used Linux in an Enterprise environment so I don’t know if there’s an easier way to store servers/switches as objects and access them via the standard terminal than MTPuTTY, but yeah I’m not surprised it was originally created for windows and then ported at some later time.

      • Baby Shoggoth [she/her]@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        11 months ago

        You just apply anyway.

        Usually they’re not willing to pay anywhere close to doctorate money for doctorates anyway, and will end up settling no matter who they pick.

        I’m not sure if i’ve ever known any engineer who has met the listed job requirements for their role. They say requirements, but what they mean is “this is my ideal”. Put another way: think of it like a dating app profile. dude may act like he only dates 10s in his profile, but you show him some attention and suddenly you’re just as good as a 10, because he’s lonely and needs affection from someone.

        Basically, for most companies, they’re essentially the corporate version of incels. Way too high of standards, but will settle for anyone who is into them regardless of what they think their standards are, because they just need someone ASAP, and their standards disappear quickly once you make yourself available.

        I’ve enjoyed a 20+ year long career as a programmer, and I dropped out of college 3 months in because i couldn’t afford it. That’s because early in my career i took a few shitty jobs until i had a decent enough resume that i didn’t have to take shitty jobs anymore. That took study and practice and passion in programming, but i did that for fun years before i even showed up on the university doorstep.

      • thanks_shakey_snake@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        11 months ago

        I dunno, most of the job descriptions I see say something like “a relevant degree or equivalent experience…” And lots of places don’t even list an educational requirement, at least for more senior roles.

        I basically self-taught while I was working in a different field, and then eventually found a bootcamp with a good alumni network and career placement services. Once you get a little bit of experience, it starts to snowball, but getting that first opportunity (or first few) can be a steep hill to climb.

        Oh, and you gotta be pretty good at building software too, of course, but not as good as you’d think to get going-- Most of your learning is on the job, regardless of what educational path you take. In that respect, most go-getters with some diligence and aptitude can exceed the capabilities of a typical compsci grad inside of a year, I’d say.

        There will always be employers who think the degree is really important, and there will be roles where it actually is… But plenty just want evidence that you can do the job well.