Ask HN: Best programmers you've worked with, where did they attend college?

4 points·ggr2342··6 comments

Have you observed any pattern in your workplace regarding a XYZ school consistently producing the best programmers/engineers?

Take into the account the depth and breadth of knowledge, domain knowledge, skills and efficiency of getting things done. All combined.

Were they CS grads or some other related major?

View on HN

People with a background in music always seemed to make good programmers. Their education background didn't seem to matter. PhDs that I've worked with, in whatever field, have been a mixed bag. Some were great, a couple of them were barely tolerable gas bags.

The best ones had BS in math (mostly pure math not applied). The second best ones had physics degrees (from BS to PHD). The WORST ones BY FAR had PHD in CS (typically AI/ML focused), absolutely atrocious coders and engineers.

Usual comment, but keep in mind that CS degrees are not expected to produce good coders. Especially ML PhD is as related to software engineering, as material science specialising in plastic is related to installing PVC plumbing.

The sharpest developers I know went to Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Many of the best people I worked with didn't attend relevant education. They either came from a completely different area, or they were already busy with work so didn't start/continue college.

Same experience with a DBA in particular - she had a library sciences degree.

The best SWE I've ever met went to some small state school and majored in CS but was a great communicator. He had a ton of drive and a great ability to dive deep into complex problems and be able to explain them to management in simple terms.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com