Thursday, July 21, 2005

Where have all the programmers gone?

Speaking to hundreds of university professors, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates says he's baffled more students don't go into computer science.

It really shouldn't be all that surprising. There are lots of things kids love as consumers, but aren't ready to go in to the work of producing.

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One thing I really ought to look in to – what are the entry requirements for programmers at Microsoft, among other companies?

If companies demand applicants have a computer science degree, they may be screening out any number of talented applicants. Indeed, they may be screening out people just like the people who founded those companies.

I tried to transfer over to the Information Tech section at the sewage treatment plant, and although I was frequently more knowledgeable about computers than the pros were, I was told I "lacked the minimum qualification". Apparently, being able to do the job isn't enough.

In addition, over the last couple of decades, I've watched computer science curricula shift. It used to be computer science classes were all math classes. Now, it's not at all uncommon to see them offered through business departments. Is the field stable enough that a degree will be worth anything by the time you've made it across the stage at graduation?

If Bill Gates isn't finding computer people, I'm inclined to wonder where he's looking.

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