Is CS a science or engineering, or maybe something else?

[Jackalope]

And how do you think people get competent at real-world programming? By having a job, obviously.

But you need to be able to demonstrate a basic level of competence before you can get hired. This is why there are so few armless ditch diggers in the world.

Boru

This. The company I work for interviews many dozens of software engineers for each one it hires. Lacking experience? No problem for entry level work. Lacking basic competency won't make the cut.