[Mc91]

I worked in IT for a number of years without a degree, then went back to school. I had a discussion with some CS major seniors around 2011, who tended to be the more promising half of the class - I started talking about software version control. "What's that?" they said. "You know, like git or perforce or cvs" I said. "Git? What's that?" I hadn't even been programming before college, I was sliding rack mount servers into server racks and the like. I guess internships are where students would learn things like that, or independently.

On the other hand, I've worked with interns who were pretty good. One I knew had done a lot of side projects while going to school. He is now making about $300k TC, 3.5 years after his internship.

In the climate today, internships are the road to a job. People intern at a company between sophomore and junior year, and then another one between junior and senior year, and hope they have offers from at least one of the two on graduation (plus maybe a few more they applied to separately).

The IT job market has been tight since the end of 2022. I don't know what position someone who is ready is in, but just doing classes probably isn't enough. I tended to learn something in a semester, and then apply it after. Like I learned Java one semester, and during the semester started fixing bugs for a free software project that was online. Then I had a small program I wanted, and did it in Java. Similar with C++, computer graphics and other things - I learned it during the semester, then applied it during summer or winter break on little projects.

On a wider level, I wouldn't disagree the managers and owners of the field can make you work to death without caring about you and the like. On an individual level though, if people want to break in they need to do the right things, know the right things, and get a lucky break. I can say everyone I know who kept at it eventually got a break, but it can take longer than they wanted it to. Also, from late 2022 until now has not been a great time for new talent.

[bluSCALE4]

> On the other hand...

Stories like this remind me what a harsh reality college was. People like that knew college was worthless and were just attending to pass the time and get their degree. They came with the skillset to get a job from day one out of high school. Basically these types of kids can join a team, and be completely self sufficient within days, taking complete ownership of everything they touch.

I've had the privilege to work with 1 of these kids and it's amazing to watch. You give them little and they do a lot. I didn't read the article but my issue with some new gen ppl is those who make it without any struggles, say, they graduate and immediately get a job, they get really arrogant and refuse guidance or feedback. They write shit code that never looks at the bigger picture and get upset if they don't get praised.

> The IT job market has been tight since the end of 2022

Trump messing with H1-B visas really helped raise wages and mobility IMO.