Hacker News Reader

Comment by itsmemattchung | Hacker News Reader

I self studied computer science and like the author of the article, working as a software engineer for Amazon. However, despite already working as a software engineer, I decided 6 months ago to return back to university to pursue a CS degree, currently wrapping up two courses — discrete mathematics and computer architecture — offered through University of Northern Iowa via their distance learning program. Although material (e.g. books, online videos) are available (and free), I prefer taking these courses (and receiving the credits) through the university instead of a the self study method due to one reason: feedback from professors. I found it difficult, while self studying, when I was unable to ask someone (who was dedicated) to answering my questions about the textbook or about the lecture or about the homework assignments.

View on HN

Expanding on this: I believe the most important reason to attend university, aside from getting the piece of paper (which could even be argued is secondary to this), is to interact with your professors as much as you can. My biggest regret about my academic career is that I didn't do more of that. There were some devastatingly smart people working in my CS department, and I wish I could have absorbed some more of both their domain knowledge and just their general life wisdom.

The purpose of university for a first timer is to build connections to get an internship or job offer. If you come out without a job offer in hand that pays more for your degree, you failed. If like OP you went back because you already had/have a job, then yes, working with professors and other students is a fine thing.

You don't need real computer science theory until you're already a seasoned programmer, at which point you need a refresher anyway. Beginning programmers spend more time setting up environments and breaking down poorly written requirements, than traversing binary search trees by hand.

I wish someone would have explained to me what it's like finding work in CS before I took the degree, how "entry level" positions can often mean 4+ years experience, how Interview questions often have little to do with the job and everything to do with memorization.

Going to school to become a good programmer is wasting money. Going to school because you want to work a field that rewards having a degree, and starting relationships where someone is waiting for you to get your degree and hire you when you finish, is smart.

One of my bigger regrets of my undergraduate degree was not realising how you could interact with the faculty until my second and third years (when I ended up on the student club committee). Had I figured that out in first year, I think I would have gotten more out of my first couple of years, and I might have avoided some of the mistakes I made later on.

First year students: go talk to your lecturers, starting from your first semester!

I agree; google can help you answer a question but you will rarely know what is best practice, modern, or even most correct.

> Although material (e.g. books, online videos) are available (and free) Could you post the links to these please?

Distance learning is not going back to university.

Does that program not result in the same degree that an on-site student get?

I am asking to see if your comment is geared at the specific program, or if you just don't give any value to getting an equivalent degree via an online platform?

Most online trainings don't deliver any accredited degree. The few real degrees that can be obtained without attending are usually considered low tier by employers.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com