Ask HN: I have $2k for books, training and confs. What should I spend it on?

Hi,

I've been given a $2K budget from my employer to spend on training, books and/or conferences. I currently do Web Development (mostly front-end) and was looking for suggestions on what to spend it on.

My long-term goal is to work for Microsoft or Google and wanted to learn more about the fundamentals of algorithms and data structures. But I wouldn't mind to learn more about whats coming around the corner in the world of front-end development since things are changing and advancing so fast.

Thanks in advance!

Conferences are expensive. I'd go with books, and local conferences that are cheap and don't cost a lot of money in terms of hotels/airfare/etc...

Another way of looking at stuff changing really fast: wait until it settles down some until you jump on board, or you risk wasting your time. I remember in the 90ies when CORBA was going to be the "next big thing". Glad I didn't spend time learning that...

i agree, you hear a lot of buzzwords thrown around these days and then a few months later its fizzled down.

Use the money as your salary. Work for four hours, research for the other four. Learning is free but time is limited. Ask your boss for four hours a day with the $2k dwindling according to your rate.

does your local university allow non-degree seeking students to take courses?