[eru]

> It looks like there are a bunch of programmers who think that having taken the first year uni course on data structures is more important than having experience actually building product and having it used by millions.

To be honest, drilling down on all the stuff they teach you in first year helps you more in getting a job at Google than having lots of practical experience.

I'm inclined to believe that this is a problem with Google. But I am not sure you should trust my opinion: I am sure Google spent much more time and money and figuring out the right approach here than I ever laid my hands on in my whole life.

See also https://sockpuppet.org/blog/2015/03/06/the-hiring-post/