I remember our computer science degree was more like a software engineering lite. The Department head was not only a doctor of computer science, but also worked in the industry several years and did his undergraduate work in English (so your documentation had to be spot on as well). Combined with that, I was fortunate in that I was able to do some practical work for some engineers at the same manufacturing company during my college breaks and 1st few years of work life. And during the school year, I had a part time job in the colleges IT dept, doing data entry and other house keeping.

Had I not had the math and theory or even just had a business background, I do not think I would have been able to accomplish the things I did at that manufacturing company.

I wonder if it is not just the combination of school, and practice, but also a good mentor as well.