Best Computer School
Q. i hope to become a computer programmer and am wondering which schools
are the best in that respective field. Any comments would help.
A. It's really a pretty unstable and ridiculous field (it's how I'm earning the
money to go to college to become a lawyer), and as far as schools go, you
really can't go too wrong.
Sure, people will tell you many things about CS (I assume that's what you'd
study), but it's such a wide-open field with so many different criteria and
standards and textbooks that a degree in CS won't help you too much (at
least, that's what I've found -- I've beaten out many CS college grads for
contracts based on my experience. The fact that I'm still in high school
didn't bother them).
I'd recommend getting some books and toying around, really. You can learn
how to program in your spare time, maybe double-major at any college that has
a half-decent computer department, and you'll be ready-to-hire right out of
college.
Of course, if you want to work at Microsoft or IBM, major in whatever you
want, go to Stanford, and know how to use a computer. Then you're set (at
least according to my cousin...).
Anyway, I'm rambling. But one more thing... CS from MIT looks impressive,
but I've seen it lose more jobs than gain, mainly because their rates are so
much higher for the same work.
I'd be happy to talk to you about books to read and languages and programming
and money if you're interested.
> > i hope to become a computer programmer and am wondering which schools
> > are the best in that respective field. Any comments would help.
> It's really a pretty unstable and ridiculous field (it's how I'm earning the
> money to go to college to become a lawyer), and as far as schools go, you
> really can't go too wrong.
While it is unstable, it is certainly not the case that you really can't
go wrong. There are several types of programs that I wouldn't
recommend.
> Sure, people will tell you many things about CS (I assume that's what you'd
> study), but it's such a wide-open field with so many different criteria and
> standards and textbooks that a degree in CS won't help you too much (at
> least, that's what I've found -- I've beaten out many CS college grads for
> contracts based on my experience. The fact that I'm still in high school
> didn't bother them).
Contract work is probably a little different. And my guess is your
doing local contract work. I highly doubt LLNL or NASDAQ would really
consider giving you a contract over someone with a degree unless your
experience is truly outstanding, which it may be. You maybe the
exception. If this is the case you are doing a great disservice to the
poster telling him a degree would be of little use. I don't need a
degree in physics to work in fluid dynamics at Los Alamos, but it
probably helps.
> Of course, if you want to work at Microsoft or IBM, major in whatever you
> want, go to Stanford, and know how to use a computer. Then you're set (at
> least according to my cousin...).
Well your cousin would be wrong. I don't think IBM hires that many
African American studies majors from Stanford that know how to write
their papers in MS Word. For several positions I remember IBM turning
down seemingly qualified math majors because they wanted people with CS
perspectives. I imagine it being a stretch for them to look at German
or English majors.
> Anyway, I'm rambling. But one more thing... CS from MIT looks impressive,
> but I've seen it lose more jobs than gain, mainly because their rates are so
> much higher for the same work.
I've never seen this happen.