[The 48% figure for non-CS degreed programmers is low compared to most surveys.]

Computerworld, December 6, 1999

Internet Leaders See Advantages In Non-Technical Degrees

12/06/99 Think your 18-year-old will have trouble competing in the
e-commerce world because she's majoring in philosophy rather than
computer science? Consider this: A 1999 survey conducted on behalf of
Hewlett-Packard Co. by Austin, Texas-based IntelliQuest Information
Group Inc. revealed that 48% of 291 information technology
professionals at companies with 1,000 or more employees and annual
revenue of at least $100 million had non-computer-related college
majors.

For example Carly Fiorina, who recently took over as CEO of HP,
received a bachelor's degree in medieval history and philosophy from
Stanford University.

And at a recent E-Summit at the University of Virginia in
Charlottesville, several leading Internet executives who spoke were
actually graduates of the school's College of Arts and Sciences,
rather than the School of Engineering. Among them were James Sheward,
CEO of Blue Bell, Pa.-based Fiberlink Communications Corp., and
Michael McQuary, president and chief operating officer of
Atlanta-based MindSpring Enterprises Inc. Both graduated in the early
1980s with degrees in economics and psychology, respectively.

Neither McQuary nor Sheward expected to work in high tech, but each
nonetheless found himself not just working at but also leading
Internet companies. The two recently discussed the value of a liberal
arts degree in the Internet economy with Computerworld reporter
Julekha Dash.

Q: How did your college major contribute to your career success?

McQuary: If you're a psychology major, you already have a fairly high
risk quotient. You're not worried that you're going to land a job
anywhere -- as opposed to (a) prelaw (major). That entrepreneurial
gambler spirit manifests itself.

Sheward: Because (a liberal arts major) is not structured, it enables
me to associate two different things more readily than if I approach
situations with the same process.

Q: When you hire recent graduates, does it matter if they have
technical degrees vs. liberal arts degrees?

McQuary: What we're looking for isn't defined by academic curriculum.
We want people who are bright and personable. You can learn (the)
technology you need to know. The majority of software coders are
liberal arts folks (who) enjoyed computer coding as a hobby.

Sheward: There are places in Fiberlink for people with both kinds of
backgrounds. We want to see someone (who is) change-driven.

Q: What do you think is the value of a liberal arts degree for the
future of the Internet economy?

McQuary: The nature of the Internet itself has a strong social
quotient. Socializing was an important aspect of my experience at UVA.
I used my friends and contacts (from school) to get (my) venture up
and running You can't be successful (in the Internet world) unless
you're willing to share and collaborate. One Internet company on its
own can't survive. Being in liberal arts gets you broader exposure to
the student population -- vs. the nursing school or in engineering
where you're exposed to the same group of people.

Sheward: In the Internet world, creativity is critical because the
industry is changing so rapidly. You don't have enough time to collect
all the data. You have to be able to pick things that are happening in
different realms and use that in your decision-making.

Q: Did you ever think you would be a techie?

McQuary: No. My undergrad classes never included any computer science.
To this day I can't touch-type. I type with my index finger.

Sheward: No, I enjoyed solving problems but wasn't mechanically
inclined. I'm at a loss when my car breaks down.