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>>As for “certification”, that is a most complex issue. Who will certify what and why? Having a degree in Computer Science means little I have noticed. Real experience will allow success not a degree in Video Games! Personally, I think that Computer degrees should be BA’s and not BS. Science this ain’t! How many languages should one “master” and what other criteria should you be conversant with and to what degree?
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>I'm not sure about the BA. When many of my students asked me how much math they needed to know in order to program, the answer wasn't an easy one. Programming requires linear thinking and logic skills, the ability to understand math concepts like Set Theory, contructions like arrays and indexes, number bases like octal, hexidecimal and binary, abstract thinking, and possibly more if the project envolves math, physical or biological knowledge. A person cannot program what they do not understand. So, I'd tell them to apply programming to solve problems they have experience with. A programmer who holds a BS will proabably be, on average, better than one who obtained a BA. If not better, they will be able to apply the art or programming to a greater number of disciplines. There are probably a lot of BS programmers (no pun intended) who could not write a program to solve a Gausian-Jordan sweep, or a simplex algebra problem because the math is beyond them.
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>>Perhaps apprentice programs leading to journeyman status? In Germany the building trade’s have apprentice’s, journeyman and Masters. Masters train those below them.
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>This is perhaps the best solution of all. A college degree would not necessarily be required at the apprentice or journeyman level. It gives the Masters a chance to evaluate the apprentice and counsel him on skills needing improvement, including social skills. The Master could then certify the apprentice to the state governing board for licensing as a journeyman. After so many years experience,etc., under at least three different Masters, the journeyman could apply for Master Certification. The applicant could indicate which databases, languages and GUI tools they wished to be certified in and the appropirate tests administered. Lots of details to work out, but it looks promising.


Sounds like you guys need to form a union. No need to get the state involved.

Dan