Re:Ask YC: Why the degree?
by daveambrose on Saturday May 24, 2008 @11:42AM
(#198834)
Matthew, I agree, however, there's a general trend I've noticed within this conversation: technical v thoughtful ability.
From my experience, programming requires both understanding and experience. What you learn in college does not necessarily correlate to success in a technical field (especially when you're coming out of a Liberal Arts university as I did).
Simply put, when it comes to a technical field:
(Past experience + understanding + execution) > a Liberal Arts degree.
But you shouldn't disregard a degree when it comes to thinking + innovation. College provides an invaluable means to look/analyze the world around you.
I wrote about this a few days ago that may be of interest:
What I am saying is that people shouldn't just dismiss people without a degree, because those of us who have a true interest in what we do, and learn, read books and experiment on our own - without being forced, or having a set syllabus to follow can become very talented developers.
If you've got to a very high level alone, I think that's a damn good accomplishment too, one that is at least comparable to a degree in itself.