>When I interview people I _definately_ look for some college. Doesn't have to be CS--my prejudice is towards Liberal Arts. College is valuable, but not for passive students and not for everyone, I know. It's NOT the place to learn the nuts and bolts of a language. But it IS a place to learn to organize thoughts and develop ideas and test hypotheses. And how to KEEP learning--which we are doing constantly in our business. It IS a place to learn how to communicate what you do and to listen to others communicate (usually poorly) what they do. This is also-known-as, oh, "needs assessment" or "system design planning," right? It IS a place to learn that there are a lot of different solutions to most problems. Sounds like our profession again, doesn't it?
Right on the spot, Nancy. Someone mentioned zoology here. Why not? Tomorrow, the same person may have to produce a CD with a zoological content. They'd hire a specialist, sure, but who's to know when to call him and when his hours can be spared?
Ever since I started my studies, I've felt that mathematicians (and programmers, later) are somewhat isolated from other people. Mainly because other people can't make out five words from what we're talking about. Then I decided there's one thing I don't want to be - a Fach-Idiot (it's a German expression commonly in use here, applies usually to describe a garage guy who knows everything about carburators, but doesn't know zilch about gears or changing a tyre). So I ended up being a nuisance in the local library (and the college library, too).
>Wow. This is a much touchier subject than I thought at first and I _knew_ I was troubled by the posting.
Well, anyone could have started this anytime, and the results would be the same. Of course, the college degree is not enough, as Bret said, there are many graduate illiterates.
>"If I do (this) by (sometime), then I will receive (this) promotion."
I've done this once, not for promotion but for an extra salary - and lost, because the This wasn't defined well - it grew about triple in the meantime. I've done the This, but the other things piled up, which were not mentioned in the deal. I've quit that job.
