Sameer Samat, who is presently the Vice President of Android at Google, has called for a significant rebranding of the general computer science degree. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Samat says that the current perception of needing a general coding qualification is more of a stereotype and how students pursuing computer science need to be doing more than just learn coding.
In the interview, Samat says that many aspiring coding professionals consider the basic knowledge of Java coding to be enough for securing a job and climbing up the ladder. Samat flags that as a misconception that overlooks broader skills and critical thinking, both of which are necessary along with coding skills to excel in the field of computer science.
“It’s definitely not learning to code. It is the science, in my opinion, of solving problems,” says Samat.
Sameer Samat, who is a computer science graduate from the University of California, San Diego, emphasised that coding is only one part of the discipline. “If that’s what you want to do, you don’t need a degree,” he stated.
Android VP says focus on analytical thinking
According to the VP of Android, the true value of a computer science degree lies in its focus on analytical thinking, system design, and collaboration. These skills, he believes, remain crucial even as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the future of software development. While industry executives from top firms like Google and Salesforce acknowledge that AI is now generating 30 to 50 percent of code at many companies, Samat still sees value in learning foundational programming languages.
He recalled his own education, where studying Assembly language, even as it became obsolete, provided him with a deeper understanding of how machines operate at their core. He believes that there will always be a new, more abstract programming language for building future technologies, but students should learn the core software languages.
“Maybe someday it’ll be natural language, where we’re just talking about what we want, and something is building the underlying software for you,” he added. But this will take time to happen, he says.
Samat offers key advice for students
Samat also offered advice for students considering the degree solely for job market appeal. “I don’t think that the degree enough is enough to make yourself relevant for some of the most important companies,” Samat said, adding that you need to take it “to the next level.”
He stressed the importance of genuine passion, stating, “I think it’s really important that it be something that you’re really excited about going deep in and really becoming a 5% top expert in the field.”
