Universities provide proof, proof that you can finish a program, and proof that you know the basics. As many new grads found out, you still need to push forward to get the experience needed to land an entry level job (Not that you are seeking an entry level job). No one can tell you how to live your life, but that's what a degree is, a proof of competency. You still need to go forth and update yourself to the current state of technology. My only disappointment with Universities is how tied they are with capitalism.
Yeah, personally doing the online masters more for the networking Chose Kennesaw cuz of how inexpensive their courses were for a master's in software engineering. Classes aren't like cs classes, of course but I can say for me they've been pretty informative. The big thing though was using it as a way to access student orgs that were accessible to me as a KSU student like their game dev and design club. When I did my bachelor's in IT, the reason I did that and not CS was after reading course descriptions and getting advice from professors about what these classes were about. The thing I've learned is, for any degree program, you really do have to research what's provided from a school. Like, I found KSU's AI class under IT (just making AI apps, not actually creating the whole pipeline and all that, just making apps that use models), game dev under SWE, and taking more specific soft-skill classes related to software engineering I didn't do as a game dev IT student during my bachelor's that, me now working as a software engineer, I felt like I was missing as an undergrad. There's the level of taking it for the validation of the major, but even then especially with all of the group work from the major, coding or not, I do think there's a net benefit. Especially if you don't see yourself too much as someone who drives projects, to now leading a group or two and having to figure out how to delegate work, how to work on stuff while emphasizing learning skills and trying to pass said class, and using things you do at work in a smaller more intimate way. Online or not, I think I've had a wild time so far, from the game jams I did with them, the discord arguments, and all of the group class work Ive been involved in. Like, I'm sure I could have gotten some of the same from doing my masters through Georgia Tech for around $300/credit for CS, and maybe I might in the future, but speaking as a NJ resident, I don't hate that I ended up not doing a CS masters, focused more on how I never went into game dev (officially) but to capitalize on what I do as a working software engineer.. Like, I think there's a little creativity that has to get involved. Since at the end of the day, you can take classes towards a degree but if the classes aren't teaching you anything I 100% agree with you, what's the point
While it's unfortunate you decided to quit, I completely agree with your conclusions. Probably around 90% of the CS courses I've taken were useless. It's exactly as you said - teaching the history of AI instead of building one; learning about paradigms in software engineering when we had never made a project longer than 200 lines of code, etc. The good courses were Databases, Data Structures and Algorithms, the web development ones, and Networking (although barely useful as it didn't really go in depth). Maybe there were a couple more that I'm forgetting. It's the sad reality for many degrees though. Most consist mostly of theory and very little practice, only to later be told, "Oh, you expected more? Sign up for one of our master's programs." (btw they're no better) In my opinion, degrees make sense when you're young and have no work experience since a degree can somewhat offset the lack of experience. While you're young, you still have no idea what you want to do in life, so the 4-6 years (if you go for a master's) you get can be used for making those decisions. It's a good thing you gave it a try, though! It takes some bravery to quit. Most people just get stuck in the sunk cost fallacy mindset.
I have to concur. I spent 4 years in a CS degree program years ago (brick-and-mortar), and while I'm happy to have finished my degree, I can confidently say I've used less than 5% of my degree program in my career.
Good to see you James! Sounds like you made the right choice. Kudos to you for knowing when to call it. -- Hope this means we'll see more of you on UA-cam. 🙂
Why did you pursue a bachelors? There’s programs that allow you to get your masters as long as you can prove you know the basics. University of colorado-boulder online accepts you as long as you can pass 3 initial classes which then count towards your masters
What about a MIS degree or any management type software/I.T degree? I think that would help with career progression and get you involved more in the business side of things.
It’s only 8 months, if you stop now and need to come back it after 3 yrs you will have to start from scratch. I have been there, can we talk? Do you need help?
Main reason was Thomas Edison had more flexibility with scheduling. WGU is less flexible with its 6 full time blocks. Also, WGU courses are fixed. You don't get the electives options. However, per my comments in the video, TESU doesn't have as many options as I would have hoped. My prior history degree covered more credit hours at TESU. If I didn't already have a degree and was determined to go an online route, it would probably be WGU. Disclaimer: I worked at WGU before coming to Adobe.
My review of SDC and Sophia courses: ua-cam.com/video/kRs2PlJByBo/v-deo.html
Universities provide proof, proof that you can finish a program, and proof that you know the basics. As many new grads found out, you still need to push forward to get the experience needed to land an entry level job (Not that you are seeking an entry level job). No one can tell you how to live your life, but that's what a degree is, a proof of competency. You still need to go forth and update yourself to the current state of technology. My only disappointment with Universities is how tied they are with capitalism.
Good points.
Degrees don’t help you make anything or understand anything. You need to work on projects outside of work. Learn programming
Projects are definitely important.
Yeah, personally doing the online masters more for the networking
Chose Kennesaw cuz of how inexpensive their courses were for a master's in software engineering.
Classes aren't like cs classes, of course but I can say for me they've been pretty informative.
The big thing though was using it as a way to access student orgs that were accessible to me as a KSU student like their game dev and design club.
When I did my bachelor's in IT, the reason I did that and not CS was after reading course descriptions and getting advice from professors about what these classes were about.
The thing I've learned is, for any degree program, you really do have to research what's provided from a school.
Like, I found KSU's AI class under IT (just making AI apps, not actually creating the whole pipeline and all that, just making apps that use models), game dev under SWE, and taking more specific soft-skill classes related to software engineering I didn't do as a game dev IT student during my bachelor's that, me now working as a software engineer, I felt like I was missing as an undergrad.
There's the level of taking it for the validation of the major, but even then especially with all of the group work from the major, coding or not, I do think there's a net benefit.
Especially if you don't see yourself too much as someone who drives projects, to now leading a group or two and having to figure out how to delegate work, how to work on stuff while emphasizing learning skills and trying to pass said class, and using things you do at work in a smaller more intimate way.
Online or not, I think I've had a wild time so far, from the game jams I did with them, the discord arguments, and all of the group class work Ive been involved in.
Like, I'm sure I could have gotten some of the same from doing my masters through Georgia Tech for around $300/credit for CS, and maybe I might in the future, but speaking as a NJ resident, I don't hate that I ended up not doing a CS masters, focused more on how I never went into game dev (officially) but to capitalize on what I do as a working software engineer..
Like, I think there's a little creativity that has to get involved. Since at the end of the day, you can take classes towards a degree but if the classes aren't teaching you anything
I 100% agree with you, what's the point
While it's unfortunate you decided to quit, I completely agree with your conclusions. Probably around 90% of the CS courses I've taken were useless. It's exactly as you said - teaching the history of AI instead of building one; learning about paradigms in software engineering when we had never made a project longer than 200 lines of code, etc.
The good courses were Databases, Data Structures and Algorithms, the web development ones, and Networking (although barely useful as it didn't really go in depth). Maybe there were a couple more that I'm forgetting.
It's the sad reality for many degrees though. Most consist mostly of theory and very little practice, only to later be told, "Oh, you expected more? Sign up for one of our master's programs." (btw they're no better)
In my opinion, degrees make sense when you're young and have no work experience since a degree can somewhat offset the lack of experience. While you're young, you still have no idea what you want to do in life, so the 4-6 years (if you go for a master's) you get can be used for making those decisions.
It's a good thing you gave it a try, though! It takes some bravery to quit. Most people just get stuck in the sunk cost fallacy mindset.
Thanks for your very thoughtful comment and insights!
I have to concur. I spent 4 years in a CS degree program years ago (brick-and-mortar), and while I'm happy to have finished my degree, I can confidently say I've used less than 5% of my degree program in my career.
Good to see you James! Sounds like you made the right choice. Kudos to you for knowing when to call it. -- Hope this means we'll see more of you on UA-cam. 🙂
I hope so too!
I believe that most of the CS degrees are outdated. Why do you need to take three to four math classes? It's ridiculous.
You use the math.
Unis stuck in the 1900s
Why did you pursue a bachelors? There’s programs that allow you to get your masters as long as you can prove you know the basics.
University of colorado-boulder online accepts you as long as you can pass 3 initial classes which then count towards your masters
Thanks for sharing
What about a MIS degree or any management type software/I.T degree? I think that would help with career progression and get you involved more in the business side of things.
Those are possibilities
That seems wise. Perhaps Adobe has an AI training path which could lead to a different role in the company.
It’s only 8 months, if you stop now and need to come back it after 3 yrs you will have to start from scratch. I have been there, can we talk? Do you need help?
Thanks. Though it's not really about needing help. The courses weren't difficult. 8 months is 8 months I could be developing skills to keep relevant.
Why did you choose thomas over wgu cs program?
Main reason was Thomas Edison had more flexibility with scheduling. WGU is less flexible with its 6 full time blocks. Also, WGU courses are fixed. You don't get the electives options. However, per my comments in the video, TESU doesn't have as many options as I would have hoped. My prior history degree covered more credit hours at TESU. If I didn't already have a degree and was determined to go an online route, it would probably be WGU. Disclaimer: I worked at WGU before coming to Adobe.
WGU is a diploma mill and only serve as a “check the box“ type deal for HR.
@@GeorgiaMade404try going to wgu and then retype that comment
@@GeorgiaMade404WGU is not a diploma mill...