09-01-2023, 07:59 PM
(09-01-2023, 07:38 PM)dtkvictim Wrote: And somewhere between the two extremes: I've also hired and worked with multiple people from Conestoga's computer programming program. One was Canadian born and graduated over 10 years ago, and had a near university level of education. The other was an Indian international student graduate 2 years prior, and even accounting for the difference in years of experience it was clear that the level of education they received was very different. Despite being fond of the international student on a personal level, I wouldn't hire them again.
I'm not super familiar with the Conestoga program, but my expectations are pretty low when it's a one-year "post-graduate diploma" in mobile development. Incoming students often have masters degrees and some work experience in their home countries, so I don't expect that most of them gain very much knowledge from this program. (Conestoga does have international students taking two- and three-year programs, too.)
In my view, this kind of program is clearly designed (intentionally!) as a pathway to PR for international software developers looking to relocate to Canada. Maybe the "mobile development" program is intended to ensure that the students can also become competent mobile developers, but that is surely secondary. I surely would not hire based on that program (and we don't), but within those programs there are also some excellent people worthy of employment, the challenge is in identifying them--as with any candidates, domestic or foreign.
Experience ... I will hire a smart person over an experienced one every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Smart people will learn quickly, but experience doesn't guarantee that the person will get any smarter.