As the description implied, I was wondering did any one on Byond already have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (or its equivalent since I guess a degree or lack of one alone can't truly define your ability). If so, what sort of advice would you give aspiring developers/graduates who plan to eventually enter the industry? I'm currently a sophomore with CS as my major so I thought I might hear from some of the "true" oldbies per se of Byond. If I recall correctly, there were at least a few people here who actually program professionally such as Aaiko(?), DDT/Deadron(?) or Tom(?) so I'd really be interested in what they'd have to say in regards to tips or rather just their experience so far if they feel so inclined to share.
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I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, but it's from 1999. Colleges were still churning out database programmers and I made the mistake of sticking with it despite my lack of interest. I'm a poor example who should have taken a break from the educational system for my mental health.
Offhand, I'd say to keep learning because the tech and tools move fast. The basics will stick with you. The languages and development methods will not wait for you to catch up... Anything else I'd say would probably do more harm than good. ;) | |
I'm going right now for a Bachhelor's degree in Information Technology to work via Server Administration / Database Administration. I don't think going for a CS degree (in my mind) is worth it, because of the math (which I suck at)
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I have a BS in CS; my personal advice is, if you planned to find a job in a generally rural area (like mid-Missouri), you might instead consider going for a masters degree...I've been unemployed for 8 months now; it is difficult to find entry level positions around here (given the current economy; it may improve by the time you graduate =).
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I graduated from an integrated Masters in Software Engineering last June. A week of so after the graduation ceremony I started working for a small company, developing air traffic software.
My personal experience with industry very much met with the views I had going into the job. Prior programming experience that you can showcase on a CV or in an interview counts for a lot, with the remainder being made up by self-confidence regarding your abilities and importantly capability to learn. In the interview for my job (the only company I applied to as well), I demonstrated the peer to peer system I developed for my thesis, having the code to hand to show the interviewers things that I thought were "quite neat". It is very much the case that most software engineers get a degree, then learn how to develop software. Personally, I didn't feel like waiting until the end of the degree to start that bit. A well motivated friend is a godsend for furthering your abilities, preferably one of the loons that think they have a good business idea. The main benefit is this will get you doing programming (and more importantly, design) exercises that are way outside of both your course and probably your natural interests. Breadth of experience commands attention. | |
Thanks for the info guys.
JP: The theoretical part I might not have to worry about since that's seemingly what my curriculum focuses on so far having taken Data Structures and having to take a algorithms course a bit later. As for a internship, that's part of the curriculum also in order for me to graduate. ACWraith: Interesting...The thing about the basics I noticed pretty well, DM was pretty advantageous in helping me grasp Java a bit and somewhat vice versa. Flame Sage: Heh I actually kinda sorta like math even though I'm no expert at it, but luckily I don't have to do more than Calculus II since I didn't choose engineering as a field of specialization. Lord Raven: Well I'm in Memphis, TN which is a decent sized city so I guess I may have a slightly better chance but as you said, hopefully the job situation is much better in a couple years. Stephen001: Will definitely take note. | |
Flame Sage wrote:
I'm going right now for a Bachhelor's degree in Information Technology to work via Server Administration / Database Administration. I don't think going for a CS degree (in my mind) is worth it, because of the math (which I suck at) This scares me. | |
I would suggest studying as much theoretical computer science as you can while you're at the tertiary level, though - things like functional programming/lambda calculus, grammar theory, computability theory, computational complexity, etc., are much easier to learn at a university or college or what-have-you then by yourself once you're out, whereas practical programming skills are just a matter of practice.
Speaking of which, practice your practical programming skills - program as much as you can, build up a portfolio of stuff you've written. See if you can get some work at an actual company doing actual programming as work experience or an internship or something - I'm told this counts for a lot when going for jobs, and it's good experience.