Just one comment about university education. I don't know about US, but in Canada university computer science program (at least at University of Toronto) places a lot of emphasis on good programming style. A program that works but is "ugly spaghetti" usually gets only a grade of C (if its easy to code then even less, like D). If one doesn't want to get kicked out one needs to write programs that work and whose code is adherent to programming standards. For example, proper commenting is worth about 10% of the grade.
This is different than a college where, as far as I know, they teach you not how to program in general but how to write code quickly in language X. The idea is that if you want to learn how to program in C then go to college, if you want to learn how to write efficient code (without regard to programming language) then stay at the university. Above is a reason that university grads are able to write database engine from scratch (literally, had to write one myself) but know next to nothing about SQL. College, which places emphasis on practical knowledge teaches SQL and allows its graduates to get jobs quickly while university grads have a lot of learning to do before they get their first job. University grads when they become (if ever) SQL Server architects utilize (if they still remember) their university knowledge. TK www.tomkitta.com -----Original Message----- From: Steve Blades [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 10:19 PM To: CF-Jobs Subject: hiring criteria You know, some things really get to me (I'm watching my language here). Maybe they shouldn't, but they do. Take the following line from a recent posting to a job posting mailing list for ColdFusion professionals: >- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from an accredited University. >Note: Individuals who do not meet this requirement need not apply. Well, if that isn't an intensely narrow view of 'qualified'. I'm not knocking higher ed, in fact I have a little, but the last time I checked experience is, and always will be, the best teacher. I'll use myself as an example. I'm prior military (Army), with 9+ years of service to my country. When I left the military I was a non-commissioned officer, having been in several positions of leadership over many years. My final tour of duty was at NSA, where I held a position as an Intelligence Analyst. I also fluently speak, read and write a non-latin based foreign language. After the military I joined the work force, where I have taught myself ten different computer programming and design languages. The ad also said this: >- Experience developing quality code They don't teach that in school. I know, I've been there. 4 semester of classes in, or related to, Object Oriented Programming and I've learned more from the blogs of Ray Camden, Sean Corfield and Joe Rhinehart. Maybe its because it is practice and not theory? >- Microsoft MCSD certification a plus. >- Professional teaching experience a plus. They want someone older than me with these credentials. Or a child prodigy. But I saved the best for last: >-looking to hire two intermediate-advanced developers If it takes all of this posting to be considered an intermediate developer than I shall be a beginner all of my life. And all of that for a salary 'up to 100k' in the DC area? What have you been smokin'?!? I know that times are tough and employers are finding themselves in a position where they have to do more with less, but sometimes the postings I see (everywhere) are just so blatantly laughable. And they wonder why it is so hard to find 'quality help' these days? Steve "Cutter" Blades ColdFusion Application Developer ________________ http://blog.cutterscrossing.com _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:13:4237 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/13 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:13 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.13 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
