I had been programming for many years but wanted a diploma to make myself more e

Question

I had been programming for many years but wanted a diploma to make myself more employable. Having already been through university once, I didn't choose a full 5 year computer science major but a shorter, more practically-oriented software engineering program.

I expected that it might focus more on concrete skills than on theory, but still had this idea that universities and professors like things to be correct, formal, academic. It's still science, right? Wrong - I was surprised by how sloppy many IT courses were.

In an introductory course on C++ we were tested on clich

Explanation / Answer

I think there may be some confusion about what and why you're studying.

It appears as though you are studying an introductory computer science program. This is aimed at people with minimal experience who are learning the basics on how computers work at a low level.

It also appears that you are a semi-serious or professional programmer. You have been programming for 10 years, and are comfortable in 3 languages. It sounds like you know what you're doing at least enough to work as part of a team. Do you feel out of place in this course? Do the other students have a similar level of experience or skill as you do?

What are you intending to get out of this course?

Are you just after that 'piece of paper'? If this is the case then don't stop trying to get a job while you study. Apply for jobs, tell them you're a competent programmer and you're studying because you need the piece of paper to get a job. If they hire you then consider dropping out - once you have a professional job then you really don't need that piece of paper anymore. Accept a lower than normal wage, because it's better to be paid to learn (on the job) than to pay to learn at school - and you'll learn faster, too. After a year or two you'll be mostly up to speed, and then you can ask for a decent pay raise or you can go find yourself a another job because you'll have experience.

Or are you trying to learn something? Then stop judging your professor. Like a memorable high school teacher used to say 'SIT DOWN, AND SHUT UP.' It's almost guaranteed that the professor has immeasurably more experience and knowledge than you do and you could learn an awful lot from him. If he's going too slow for you then try to get credit for these introductory courses based on your prior learning and experience.

But are you in the right course? You could also learn a lot from the literature professor, or a history professor... not particularly relevant. Perhaps you don't want 'computer science' but instead want more practical, 'real world' skills. Try 'software engineering'. Look at other institutions for a more focused course.

Just like when you start a new job, a class or course of study can be very hard to review from the outside. You seem to be in a course that isn't giving you what you expect. Reconsider your options.

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