Mikel Berger

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August 19, 2004

Appleman probably hasn't heard of CPT

CPT stresses the communication and business side more than CS does. It seems to make more sense to me that there should be more programs like CPT than CS instead of the other way around. The world needs a lot more people that can see a problem and then use some technology to solve it. Maybe they use a new technology, maybe they use an existing technology in a new way, or maybe they just use an existing technology in an existing way in a new situation.

Of course, most of the projects I run across at Purdue done by CS people don't seem very much like science but a lot more like something that fits a CPT person. They aren't much theory, algorithms, etc. i.e. they don't advance the theoretical state of computing. In my view, CS would advance the software, electrical computer engineering would advance the hardware, and computer technology people would pull it all together to solve problems.

I always laugh when the CS majors talk about their compilers class. I tell them they can go ahead fight for the jobs where someone will pay them to write a compiler, I'll fight for the jobs writing business applications. Of course, most of them don't end up writing compilers. They end up writing business applications. I'm still not convinced learning to write a compiler helps them develop an enterprise application.

It's your personal skills that will count. How well do you communicate? You should know how to present your ideas both to individuals and small groups. Can you write clearly and somewhat grammatically. Do you come across as confident in yourself and your abilities? Do you have leadership skills (that often translate into management skills)? Are you responsible? Are you a nice person to have around (or at least not completely repulsive)? Yes, there are those who are so technologically brilliant they can get away with caring just about technology, but for most of us these other skills are essential.

So, as you go off to college, don't let your technical classes get in the way of getting a good education. Take a writing class. Take a class or get involved in an activity that forces you to do some public speaking. Do some drama or improv. Join a club. Do some volunteer work. Do some tutoring. This kind of experience will have long term benefits to your career that you wouldn't believe.

Posted by mikel at August 19, 2004 07:27 AM

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