Ask HN: Does University Choice Matter?

Re:Ask HN: Does University Choice Matter? by softwaredoug on Thursday May 27, 2021 @10:49PM (#27311218)

So there’s this study[1] that says it largely doesn’t matter if you already come from privilege and wealth, but it CAN matter if you don’t.

In my personal experience, the professional network you build in college is ultimately what has value to your career long term. This opens up opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t occur. You’re basically paying for a 4 year opportunity to collaborate with folks at a certain level of ability(?) wealth(?) social standing(?). And the degree you earn signals more about your social standing - you belong to that “club” - then specific knowledge or skills you’ve earned.

I think if you didn’t go to college and could swing a gig at Google or another FAANG, you’d have the same kind of credentialing...

1- https://www.nber.org/papers/w7322

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Re:Ask HN: Does University Choice Matter? by HDMI_Cable on Thursday May 27, 2021 @11:06PM (#27311303)

I was wondering if you could elaborate on that network more. Is it just about having the same school as someone you're meeting, or is it more about personally knowing that person? Medicine (from what I've heard) is a pretty university-agnostic field, so would the network-effect be more like practice?

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Re:Ask HN: Does University Choice Matter? by softwaredoug on Friday May 28, 2021 @09:46AM (#27315247)

More personally knowing the person. You develop a friends network of people, and everyone in that network is credentialed enough to get into a college and do reasonably well. So they'll get opportunities, and help you get opportunities.

Speaking primarily from my experience as a Comp Sci undergrad at Virginia Tech... I had good opportunities from my network on graduation. Which helped me grow my network even further when I got a job. I suspect if I went to MIT or something, that network would be even more substantive.

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