[ankurjain10]

I strongly feel that Udacity has HUGE potential and the recent TV ad is quite inspiring.

- From student's perspective, it can't get better than this - learning from the top instructors in the world at a very low price. Learning AI at a fraction of the cost.

- From employer's perspective - I have hired more than 50 engineers both at startups and at world's biggest company. I would definitely value people with a nano-degree from Udacity over a course that they studied a decade ago in the college. The students from Udacity have more practical knowledge and understand the latest concepts.

In my viewpoint, the biggest potential is the reach - people from all over the world can learn advanced technologies like Self-driving cars. Who could have imagined this few years ago!

I am positive that companies worldwide would LOVE to interview candidates who have studied at Udacity.

[wernercd]

Sorry to be snarky, but you come off a little strong... sounds a bit astroturfish?

With that aside, I think the article makes a good points. Prices are rising and they seem to be mainly beneficial for existing professionals.

IMO: Nano-degree's would only be a step above certifications - A+, Network+, etc. And a step below a 2 year degree... then most important, experience.

A class from 10 years ago is definitely meaningless... after your first few jobs, college as a whole is meaningless outside of connections made and HR checkboxes to be met.

For the same reason this nano-degree might help... but it'll be just as meaningless sooner - because its specialized, quickly out-dated and still less important than demonstratable experience or a 2/4 year degree.

[PostOnce]

Would you trust a doctor with a nano degree before one who studied "a decade ago"?

[jwagenet]

This is a poor comparison. Over the last decade it is unlikely that the techniques and training to become a doctor have changed substantially. Sure, there are medical advances and new technologies that change how a doctor does business, but fundamentally the pace of change is slow. On the flip side, AI and ML have made significant strides within the last decade. Unless your career required you to keep up with and innovate in the space, you probably are well behind the times. A nanodegree may not stand well on its own, but coupled with previous experience it may be a way to show you are actually familiar with up to date trends and techniques on the topic.