Unfortunately, today a CS degree is like a degree in art, in that it gives you the tools, but is is still up to you to make a masterpiece. If it is not for you, you can try pivoting to similar fields like maybe get a masters in information assurance or cyber security.
Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
321–324 of 324 posts
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#322I don't know if this helps, but I personally find coding interview practice sites/problems to be extremely boring, difficult, not fun, and frustrating to work on. I'm saying this as a 13-years-of-experience software engineer; I've been called a rock star or ninja or something similar in almost every company and team I've worked in (big and small), and throughout my entire career and the numerous times I've job-hunted…
This is relatable and makes a lot of sense! Can you direct us to the link or any list of companies which don't have whiteboard tests or competitive coding tests? It would be really useful for OP and most of us.
The message I referred to is https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17589684 (and the link to the list is https://github.com/poteto/hiring-without-whiteboards )
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#323Earlier quoted context omitted.
+1 to this. Similar story for me. Although I wont go so far as saying I am a rockstar I do have a reputation for building solid, maintainable, reliable code that works even though I have struggled in the high-pressure whiteboarding interviews (I'm currently at a company that is well-known/infamous for whiteboarding interviews too). There are different roles other than "software engineer" that are programming based, e…
> Similar story for me. Another +1 here. I got so sick of programming interviews that I went freelance. If at any time a potential client suggests I need to do a whiteboard style interview, I decline and offer to work for them for a week at half price.
That's a great tactic. Keeps the ball rolling on the negotiation & also shows them your competence in a real way. Thanks for sharing.
Re: Ask HN: Got a CS degree, but I’m unable to be programmer. What can I do?
#324I didn’t expect this many responses. It’s a bit overwhelming, but I'm thankful. I’m going to post a few important pieces of information I didn’t think of posting above that should help clarify my situation and how desperate it is. I do have depression. Pretty bad one actually. I am just graduating from college at 31 because of the toll depression took on my life. I have no previous work experience because I spent my…
>No one will ever refer me to any job because no one likes me
This may be true however. It is more likely they are not sure of your capabilities. A recommendation for a programming job is basically a sure thing job placement now days. However if someone recommends you and you are a screw up it affects their professional reputation. I would focus more on finding a technology you are genuinely interested in so you can "shop talk" with some other people in the industry while proving you know what you are talking about.
In programming almost no one cares about your personality (unless volatile). I have a programmer my team that I sat next to for 3 years and I think we have had maybe 5 minutes of non work related conversation during that time. He just hates talking to people period.