[game_edu] question from the community

[pawlicki at cs.rochester.edu]

Shannon,

You make some good points . . . . but . . .


> I do believe a CS degree can be the things in the list, I don't think it's

> a guarantee.


Yes, . . . . but . . . no degree, in any field comes with a guarantee.


> I seen many a person go through CS who had

> others solve the harder problems.  The hardest part is not the code

> but the creative solution and in a class full of students a handful find

> the solution and before long by word of mouth the rest of the class

> has found out about or perhaps googled it.


Yes, . . . I've seen that to . . . but . .
we call it "cheating". If people cheat on assignments
rather than do the work, of course they don't learn or grow.
Again, it's the same in any field.



> I  can't recall anyone calling me a "well rounded individual because

> I have a CS degree.  I have been called a geek though.


But what is is the truth? Your formal training is in physics and
you are persuing a degree in Computer Science. Are you narrow and
uncreative? Or, do you consider yourself well-rounded and creative?
Are you persuing a CS degree because you believe it is where boring,
narrow and uncreative people like you belong? Or is it exactly the
opposite - are you in CS because it empowers your creative expression
in a way that traditional fine arts studies cannot?
What people call you dose not make you what you are.
Tell us - which is it?

Again - no offense.

Ted



> Hi Ted,

>

> Not all computing jobs are equal.  Help desk support isn't high

> on my list, yet this is where some CS start.  I knew a person who

> changed paper in printers all day long in a co-op position. I don't think

> these jobs  fit the "Top Reasons to Major in Computer Science Programs

> In America" list you give

>

> I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that those in the CS field have

> the highest number of unpaid overtime hours, so while it may pay well,

> how many hours are people putting in.

>

> Having a CS degree doesn't help you develop your ability to solve

> problems, you do.  I seen many a person go through CS who had

> others solve the harder problems.  The hardest part is not the code

> but the creative solution and in a class full of students a handful find

> the solution and before long by word of mouth the rest of the class

> has found out about or perhaps googled it.

>

> I  can't recall anyone calling me a "well rounded individual because

> I have a CS degree.  I have been called a geek though.  That is as a

> an odd one.  I can see my CS degree helping me get a management

> job, in fact my experience is it doesn't even help me get a project

> management job without prior experience managing a project.

>

> Like all careers their are good points and not so good points and not

> all degree holders are equal there is a wide range of competencies. It

> really depends on those at the particular institution and the culture they

> create.

>

> I do believe a CS degree can be the things in the list, I don't think it's

> a guarantee.

>

> Cheers,

>

> Shannon

>

> On 2011-06-28, at 10:11 PM, pawlicki at cs.rochester.edu wrote:

>

>> Ryan,

>>

>> I don't want to get into an argument, but I do feel the need to

>> debunk some common myths in the post below. Jim's post (perhaps

>> inadvertently) implies that computer scientists are "programmers".

>> Computer Science is not "programming". (That's like calling

>> astronomers "telescopers").  Jim's post also (perhaps

>> inadvertently) implies that computer scientists exhibit low creativity.

>> Or that CS is not a "creative subject".

>> The fact is that computer science offers one of the highest career

>> opportunities for creative expression.

>>

>> Yours,

>>

>> Ted

>>

>>

>> (http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/TopReasonstoMajorInComputerScience.cfm)

>> Top Reasons to Major in Computer Science Programs In America

>>    Computing is part of everything you do (really)!

>>    Computing will develop your ability to solve complex problems.

>>    You will make a difference.

>>    Computing jobs are among the highest paid and have the highest job

>> satisfaction.

>>    There are more computing jobs than there are people to fill them.

>>    A computing major can serve as a competitive advantage regardless of

>> what career filed you chose.

>>    Computing is creative and supports creativity in other fields.

>>    Computing allows you to work independently or as a member of a team.

>>    Computing is seen by employers as part of a well-rounded graduate.

>

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