CS Degrees Are Broken
CS Degrees Are Broken
CS Degrees Are Broken
If you chose computer science thinking it would land you a high-paying software engineering job, you might be in for a reality check. As Sajjaad Khader pointed out in a recent LinkedIn post, it’s not all because of the market—it’s because of how these programs are designed.
If you chose computer science thinking it would land you a high-paying software engineering job, you might be in for a reality check. As Sajjaad Khader pointed out in a recent LinkedIn post, it’s not all because of the market—it’s because of how these programs are designed.
If you chose computer science thinking it would land you a high-paying software engineering job, you might be in for a reality check. As Sajjaad Khader pointed out in a recent LinkedIn post, it’s not all because of the market—it’s because of how these programs are designed.
May 3, 2025
2 minutes
CS ≠ SWE
Computer science and software engineering aren’t the same thing.
CS focuses on theory, algorithms, and proofs.
SWE is about building real-world systems, writing scalable code, and shipping products people actually use.
Knowing how a car engine works doesn’t mean you can drive the car—and that’s the gap most CS students graduate with.
Too Much Theory, Not Enough Practice
CS programs often leave students with deep theoretical knowledge but little practical experience.
You might graduate understanding memory allocation in C, but still not know how to build a basic web app. That’s why many feel CS degrees are “broken.”
The Real Skill is Problem Solving
Even outside the classroom, it’s not enough to just build apps. What makes a software engineer is the ability to solve problems in scalable, thoughtful ways.
One of my first CS teachers used to say: “There’s a million ways to solve a problem.” That mindset is everything.
With AI becoming a massive tool in development, the ability to generate code is less valuable. What will always matter is the ability to think clearly, solve problems effectively, and design solutions people actually want to use.
CS ≠ SWE
Computer science and software engineering aren’t the same thing.
CS focuses on theory, algorithms, and proofs.
SWE is about building real-world systems, writing scalable code, and shipping products people actually use.
Knowing how a car engine works doesn’t mean you can drive the car—and that’s the gap most CS students graduate with.
Too Much Theory, Not Enough Practice
CS programs often leave students with deep theoretical knowledge but little practical experience.
You might graduate understanding memory allocation in C, but still not know how to build a basic web app. That’s why many feel CS degrees are “broken.”
The Real Skill is Problem Solving
Even outside the classroom, it’s not enough to just build apps. What makes a software engineer is the ability to solve problems in scalable, thoughtful ways.
One of my first CS teachers used to say: “There’s a million ways to solve a problem.” That mindset is everything.
With AI becoming a massive tool in development, the ability to generate code is less valuable. What will always matter is the ability to think clearly, solve problems effectively, and design solutions people actually want to use.