Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Heather Hesketh <heather AT hesketh.com>]

At 08:52 AM 9/27/2000 -0700, saundrakaerubel.com wrote:
>Sound off on this discussion at cio.com and read what others have 
written
>on this topic
>
>As the day-to-day work of IT professionals
>becomes more specialized, the lessons from a four-year
>college education become less relevant.

Do they? The main thrust of a university education isn't technical skills 
but rather a mindset of learning, thinking, and problem solving. These 
skills are difficult to achieve without intense training or years of 
experience--both paired with self examination and awareness.


I have a BS in Aerospace Engineering. While I learned a lot of fluid 
theory, among other concrete skills, what was most valuable was the 
abstract skills that I developed and continue to hone.

Honestly, I wish more universities would focus less on technical skills 
(that's what technical colleges are for) and more on the abstract skills. 
I was fortunate in that the professors I had were more theoretical than 
some disciplines. I realized later that this is what drew me to the AE 
program rather than some "more practical" engineering programs.

Heather

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