Re: What to do with a PhD in Computer Science...

Thomas Bartkus wrote:
"BMJ" <parametric_equation@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:z2iSf.151210$B94.46428@xxxxxxxxxxx

Thomas Bartkus wrote:

<snip>

"Experience" can neutralize the effects of excessive education. I've
known people get hired for engineering positions without a degree, but
having had extensive *experience*.

What does that tell you?


It tells me that a proven ability to do the job can replace a lack of
educational credentials.

That does not, however, imply that one has the necessary *understanding*
for doing that job.


Ahhh! But does it not?

The plumber unclogs the pipe.

But does that plumber understand about laminar or tubulent flow? Reynolds numbers? Head loss? Anybody can unclog a pipe, but understanding why and preventing it may require some additional insight beyond knowing how to use a plunger.

The the brain surgeon removes the tumor
leaving a healthy recovering patient.

The surgeon has to have knowledge about human anatomy and how tumors form.

The medical researcher creates a new
vaccine.

But does that researcher know about potential side effects or the means by which that vaccine cures the illness it was created for?

I would suggest that each has proven the necessary understanding
of his job. Even if you would impose your own arbitrary standards over
performance. How do you define what's necessary?

"Hey, Mr. Plumber. What do I have to do to keep my pipe from plugging up the way it just did? Do you know why it plugged up?"

It might be nice if my
accountant understood differential equations (and for all I know, perhaps he
does!) but I would hardly call it necessary for him to do his job.

Not unless he's doing economic modelling or analyzing price fluctuations.

However,
he very demonstrably has a necessary understanding of accounting.

If he's doing his job properly, that understanding involves more than just adding up columns of numbers. It involves knowing about things like depreciation, the equations for which can be rather convoluted.



It also suggests the converse to be false. Educational credentials can

not

serve as a replacement for the inability to do a job.

Neither does experience replace comprehension. I've known many
"practical" people who could do their job well, but couldn't explain to
me why certain things happen or are done.


Noted. But what is your point?

Like I mentioned earlier, anybody can use a plunger, but not everybody knows about how water flows in pipes and how that can influence how sediment is deposited, leading to possible clogs.


I would suggest that performance proves they sufficiently understand the
jobs they perform. Even if they lacked language skills to express that
understanding to your comprehension. It almost sounds as if you would deny
them those jobs despite competency for failing some arbitrary and capricious
standard that only you hold.

No, if these people are truly skilled in their jobs, they would be able to answer any reasonable question I pose to them about it.



I found your expression "excessive education" interesting. How the heck

can

education ever be excessive?

By being overqualified for a position.


So - education not applied to your present paid position is excessive?
Wasted time, money, and effort? No aspirations for the future? No value
beyond earning todays wage? No personal satisfaction derived?

In a word, yes. This point's been discussed numerous times on this newsgroup.

<snip>

Education may be deemed "excessive" when used as substitute for doing a

job

rather than as preparation for doing a job.

If that were the case, most people would be considered overeducated.


I didn't say it was the case. It was a speculation. I'm still having a
tough time grasping the notion of "excessive education".

Most of the jobs I had really didn't require having a university degree, let alone the four that I have. Considering that I never used much of what I learned while I studied for those degrees, one could conclude that my education was indeed excessive. I certainly wasn't paid more for having it.


If there were such a thing, I certainly am a long way from that (unhappy
???) condition.
Thomas Barktus


.

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