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How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

billmei.net

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Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#151

Post by digler999 »

aquabib wrote: post #117
greenhouse_gas wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, at this point I found reddit a much nicer place to go then stackoverflow for technical questions. SO users demand that your question be "correct". Note, I didn't mean that it should be clear what your problem is, it's just that if you ask a "noob question", for an explanation, or if five people think it can't be done, you'll get down voted and closed in a second. It's sad because other (smaller) SE sites ar…

This is incorrect. SO is polluted with "noob" questions and answers, which is why SO is so useless. Google and now even MSDN search results are also polluted with SO hits which are mostly just noise. If anything SO needs more strict moderation.

> SO hits which are mostly just noise.

I completely disagree. I'm an experienced dev from C++ learning Android/Java dev. Literally 90% of what I need is on SO (the rest usually from mkyong), thanks to google some of the answers even bubble up to the search page so I dont even have to click on them. I would be much worse off without SO.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#153

Post by seattle_spring »

sauronlord wrote: post #152

"Dream JOB" There is no such thing my friends. Unless you consider getting laid off or resigning within a few years your dream. You will never be long-term wealthy or happy with a job. You might get rich, but not wealthy. Mind your own business.

> Mind your own business.

Speak for yourself, champ. Not everyone's dream is to become rich, or wealthy, or anything of the sort. Some people just want to work on cool problems, be around interesting people, and be paid relatively well to do so.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#154

Post by digler999 »

austenallred wrote: post #14
steven777400 wrote: post #2

The author's comment on access to a mediocre/unknown university instructor for a high fee vs free access to a very good set of lectures (Khan) is one of the doubts that led me to quit my job as a college instructor. I had kind of the existential "what are we doing here?" question -- why are students coming here and paying us money when better instruction is available for free online? Combined with a couple of educati…

I have been teaching a free live code bootcamp on YouTube over the past couple of days ( https://lambdaschool.com/mini-bootcamp ). I've noticed a couple things: 1. People get stuck. A lot. Especially in the beginning. Perhaps the biggest difficulty of learning on your own is the "I'm stuck" problem. I learned by hassling people in IRC, but man they were saints and I feel bad for constantly bothering them with my stup…

> if something is "required."

Allow me to play Freud here for a moment. Perhaps that question more points to anxieties about not knowing 100% of the material (which, I think we can both agree is ok. nobody retains 100%. But the student may not realize that).

So maybe they ask that question seeking approval, hoping to hear "No, thats an advanced concept for advanced students wanting to learn {special advanced concept}". Obviously thats not the case, but I could see a student asking that to soothe their worries that they understand other things, but not the difficult concept.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#155

Post by Insanity »

austenallred wrote: post #14
steven777400 wrote: post #2

The author's comment on access to a mediocre/unknown university instructor for a high fee vs free access to a very good set of lectures (Khan) is one of the doubts that led me to quit my job as a college instructor. I had kind of the existential "what are we doing here?" question -- why are students coming here and paying us money when better instruction is available for free online? Combined with a couple of educati…

I have been teaching a free live code bootcamp on YouTube over the past couple of days ( https://lambdaschool.com/mini-bootcamp ). I've noticed a couple things: 1. People get stuck. A lot. Especially in the beginning. Perhaps the biggest difficulty of learning on your own is the "I'm stuck" problem. I learned by hassling people in IRC, but man they were saints and I feel bad for constantly bothering them with my stup…

As for your second point, I don't fully agree with that one.

I think that credentials and requirements are indeed wanted by many students, but not by all of them. If you already have a degree from a university, and you take some MOOCs for fun, why would you bother with it?

In my case, I have my degree in compsci, but later realised I do have an interest in philosophy as well. Due to working I could not go study the full-time course, but my uni offered me to study philo at my own pace (each semester, just take courses a,b, whatever). Without having a degree at the end of this.

To conclude, I believe some students do MOOCs purely out of interest, and don't attach as much value to the certificate because of that.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#156

Post by Insanity »

sotojuan wrote: post #129
lacampbell wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the value of attending college and completing a four-year degree at an accredited university comes from the environment you're ingrained in for that time. The people you meet, the conversations you have and experiences you expose yourself supersedes the raw material in the curriculum. Don't get me wrong, the stuff in the textbox are important but I think you get your real value from the experiences and the relationsh…

This is where most CS departments are heading because "if you study CS you'll get a job!!!!". My experience was similar, though I at least made some friends.

I fear you are right in this. In my experience, the people who did it out of passion or interest where unfortunately the minority.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#157

Post by s_dev »

steven777400 wrote: post #2

The author's comment on access to a mediocre/unknown university instructor for a high fee vs free access to a very good set of lectures (Khan) is one of the doubts that led me to quit my job as a college instructor. I had kind of the existential "what are we doing here?" question -- why are students coming here and paying us money when better instruction is available for free online? Combined with a couple of educati…

>"what are we doing here?"

Assessment.

A university standard of assessment is better than anyones standard of self assessment.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#158

Post by zengid »

steven777400 wrote: post #2

The author's comment on access to a mediocre/unknown university instructor for a high fee vs free access to a very good set of lectures (Khan) is one of the doubts that led me to quit my job as a college instructor. I had kind of the existential "what are we doing here?" question -- why are students coming here and paying us money when better instruction is available for free online? Combined with a couple of educati…

I'm going back for a masters in IT. For me: Job fairs, Internships, and the 'stamp of approval' that a degree translates to for hiring managers. Basically its a way to get my foot in the door. Also If I weren't getting a spouse-discount I probably would do the Khan academy thing.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#159

Post by austenallred »

Insanity wrote: post #155
austenallred wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have been teaching a free live code bootcamp on YouTube over the past couple of days ( https://lambdaschool.com/mini-bootcamp ). I've noticed a couple things: 1. People get stuck. A lot. Especially in the beginning. Perhaps the biggest difficulty of learning on your own is the "I'm stuck" problem. I learned by hassling people in IRC, but man they were saints and I feel bad for constantly bothering them with my stup…

As for your second point, I don't fully agree with that one. I think that credentials and requirements are indeed wanted by many students, but not by all of them. If you already have a degree from a university, and you take some MOOCs for fun, why would you bother with it? In my case, I have my degree in compsci, but later realised I do have an interest in philosophy as well. Due to working I could not go study the f…

I don't disagree that some do MOOCs purely out of interest. But I'm shocked by the number that do really want some kind of certification, even when that certification is worthless. I've had people with a Ph.D asking if they'll get a certificate for completing a free four-day bootcamp.

Re: How I got my dream job in the tech industry without a CS degree

#160

Post by Veen »

sotojuan wrote: post #125
YZF wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a big difference between having an instructor and learning things from a book or video lectures. An instructor can correct your mistakes and give you feedback. A book or a video can't do that. Some people presumably don't have a right kind of discipline to study on their own. This is why remote study programs can be a lot more difficult to complete vs. on-site programs. EDIT: There's a known effect, discussed…

> There's a known effect, discussed in the Coursera "Learning How to Learn" course, where you read through the material/watch a video and think that you've actually mastered or learnt it while in fact you have not. This explains a lot of people I've worked it. "Oh I read a tutorial/watched YouTube videos of it, let me do it".

I've found the illusion of understanding particularly pernicious where coding is concerned. As I learn, I read tutorials and do little exercises and think I understand. But then I have an idea for something practical, sit down to code it, and realise I haven't a clue.

I've learned that I can't say I understand something unless I can explain it to someone else and apply it to solve a practical problem.

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