31–40 of 45 posts
I went to one and now a couple years in I'm working at one of the "big 4" companies. It worked out for me but I still wouldn't recommend them to other people. It only worked for me because it helped lay the groundwork but I put in countless hours every night studying and getting better while working as well. Too many of my former classmates graduated and expected that to be the end of the hard work, like they were no…
Just curious who are those "big 4" companies?
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How do you go about getting a job anywhere else? You research companies that share your values/goals, then start a conversation with them.
Sorry if I wasnt clear, this is more about the interview process than anything. I've been able to find some companies that seem to be a near perfect fit, and they range from SV giants to smaller shops in between. It just feels like I cannot pass the modern day technical interview and I'm looking for some advice in that domain.
I cannot stress enough how important mathematical foundations is. It'll make everything else much easier to learn. I haven't read the book but heard good things about: https://www.amazon.com/Discrete-Mathematics-Applications-Sus... as a beginner text.
Coursera has multiple offerings on Data Structures / Algorithms -- find one that works best for you.
For instance:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-to-algorithms
https://www.coursera.org/specializations/algorithms
https://www.coursera.org/learn/algorithmic-thinking-1
https://www.coursera.org/learn/algorithmic-toolbox
By doing all of those you'll get a good introductory exposure to the topics.
You should also look at a rigorous course offering of Algorithms. MIT has a few online to view.
Some readings for a beginner are:
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/algor...
https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Unlocked-Press-Thomas-Corm...
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-3rd-MIT-Press... (not beginner level but classic)
After all of this you should be fine with diving into interview books. You'll want to whiteboard solutions and be able to do all the difficult problems. Look into sites like leetcode, glassdoor and be able to do the difficult problems posted there.
I went to one and now a couple years in I'm working at one of the "big 4" companies. It worked out for me but I still wouldn't recommend them to other people. It only worked for me because it helped lay the groundwork but I put in countless hours every night studying and getting better while working as well. Too many of my former classmates graduated and expected that to be the end of the hard work, like they were no…
Funny, I have almost the exact same experience. Quit my job as a CPA at a big firm to go to a coding bootcamp, made myself put in the same number of hours coding/learning as I was working my old job (70+/week) until I found a job... got a job at a startup first and 2 years later got a job at one of the "big 4". I also don't list my bootcamp anywhere mostly because I'm worried about assumptions people will make about…
I'd say boot camps are a way to get yourself oriented, so that you can seriously pursue your education, not an end in themselves.
Is that so bad? It doesn't seem unreasonable to me to intern for a few months to demonstrate one's technical skills, after just 3 months of learning, are good enough for the company. Furthermore, it allows the candidate to show off some of the "intangible qualities of character" as described by another commenter.
I am assuming, of course, that the internship is not exploitive and that the company truly has the time and resources to mentor the intern. In the best case scenario, the manager would see culture fit and a new motivated employee who is open to growing into a great senior developer at the company. In the worst case scenario, at least the intern should have gotten some real world experience that can be leveraged into the next job.
I guess I'm taking issue with the tone of the sentence. Why wouldn't an internship be "good enough" for a coding bootcamp grad? And why would they have to fight a "manager's misgivings" since it would clearly cost the manager even more time and effort to find and train yet another person for the position. As the manager, it would be in my best interest to find an intern I think capable of succeeding AND to do my best to help him/her succeed!
Disclosure: I've hired a coding bootcamp grad as an intern and then was very glad to be able to promote him to full-time after a few months.
Edit: grammar
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sorry if I wasnt clear, this is more about the interview process than anything. I've been able to find some companies that seem to be a near perfect fit, and they range from SV giants to smaller shops in between. It just feels like I cannot pass the modern day technical interview and I'm looking for some advice in that domain.
I recommend learning discrete mathematics, then data structures and algorithms. I cannot stress enough how important mathematical foundations is. It'll make everything else much easier to learn. I haven't read the book but heard good things about: https://www.amazon.com/Discrete-Mathematics-Applications-Sus... as a beginner text. Coursera has multiple offerings on Data Structures / Algorithms -- find one that works b…
For comparison, I received a master's in software engineering from a reputable school with actual professors and a well-tested curriculum for ~$7,500/semester. Of course, it was an academic graduate degree, so I already needed to know a large amount of engineering and programming before applying, but still -- there are a ton of avenues through 'traditional institutions' that are far cheaper, and of higher quality that will teach you programming.
What are people paying for, exactly? Is it the speed that they'll learn at? If you want a "bootcamp" experience, stack 5 classes at a local college and work your ass off for a semester.
Perhaps easier said than done -- I live in the greater Boston area, where you can't throw a rock without hitting prestigious institutions with professional education options and night classes, or at least a good community college. So perhaps it's the accessibility of the bootcamps? Do they serve areas where education options aren't great? Do they do "online" better than other programs?
Is it the branding? The teachers? Something else?
Is it that bootcamps offer a "hands on/practical" experience, where students feel like academia would let them down? I'd disagree on that point, with some reservations, but I don't think that my suggestion of "stacking 5 [well-chosen] college classes" would let you down in that regard. Colleges teach the theory, sure, but they ALSO teach practical application development, especially these days.
So, I don't know. Honest question. What's the draw to bootcamps over other forms of education?
Long term programmers know that it takes a long time to get a true understanding and mastering of the profession. Over the years I've known of people who thought a short programming course would be enough to get into the profession. I know I wouldn't pay a new programmer top salary much less one from a 6 month boot camp. They are just not productive enough. But the reality is that book camp is only the start. I wish they would understand that. No one is a master from the start. My advise for them is to continue with their training by creating a project either a brand new idea or just a copy of what is available. This gives them a chance to be masters eventually.
"Tuition averages over $11,000 at non-degree granting programs that generally last around three months, but it can go as high as $21,000." For comparison, I received a master's in software engineering from a reputable school with actual professors and a well-tested curriculum for ~$7,500/semester. Of course, it was an academic graduate degree, so I already needed to know a large amount of engineering and programming…
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Some people find it easier to learn in a structured environment.
Structured environment ? Can you elaborate on this one ?
i remember hearing about a coding school that was charging something close to fifteen thousand dollars for a course on programming Android apps. the company claimed to have some kind of special relationship with Google. but the course curriculum was apparently homegrown from nothing. very little actual input from Google. and i remember wondering "what's the special understanding, the inside track, the competitive edg…
I think Udacity had a claim like that for a nano degree.