Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#1

Post by davidbyttow » Sat, May 25, 2013, 7:19 PM UTC

Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree
medium.com

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#2

Post by gems » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:18 PM UTC

You should work on redefining your goals if all you're concerned about is working at Google, or at another large company.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#3

Post by jamesaguilar » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:20 PM UTC

gems wrote: post #2

You should work on redefining your goals if all you're concerned about is working at Google, or at another large company.

I too know what other people should want to do with their lives.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#4

Post by gems » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:24 PM UTC

jamesaguilar wrote: post #3

gems wrote: post #2

You should work on redefining your goals if all you're concerned about is working at Google, or at another large company.

I too know what other people should want to do with their lives.

My opinion is that it (exactly what I stated, nothing more) is most likely a manifestation of insecurity, rather than a product of anything that's not superficial (desire to help people, for example). I'm not telling you how to lead your life (a fiat), I'm offering an opinion with a suggestion. I give zero shits if what I said applies to you and you decide to stay on the same course. You should get that straight.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#5

Post by stevewilhelm » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:27 PM UTC

Sounds like he reproduced the college experience without a college. Good for him.

But in general it's probably more efficient to just to go to college and get a degree.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#6

Post by kniht » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:31 PM UTC

These are all things you should be doing anyway, even if you're pursuing a degree, and want to land a good software engineering job. So the "without a degree" caveat doesn't really matter.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#7

Post by mahyarm » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:35 PM UTC

stevewilhelm wrote: post #5

Sounds like he reproduced the college experience without a college. Good for him. But in general it's probably more efficient to just to go to college and get a degree.

Even with six figure student loans?

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#8

Post by ultimoo » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:35 PM UTC

I believe I am a good engineer, I have heard generally positive things about my professional work, have a college degree, etc.

I am however terrified of programming challenges (topcoder, spoj, interview-street, etc.) I have tried solving some problems there using Ruby (back when it was 1.8.x, too slow for these kind of problems) and given up. Maybe I should give it a shot with C. Any ideas how to start, considering these competitive coding websites are quite important when interviewing at certain companies?

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#9

Post by navs » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:36 PM UTC

So what's the take away message from all this? Work hard and enjoy your work.

I've got a lot of the former and none of the latter. While building websites for random clients and studying at a University, I've discovered my interest in the digital world has waned.

Re: Four Steps to Google, Without a Degree

#10

Post by anxx » Sat, May 25, 2013, 8:36 PM UTC

My Google interviewer was a HS-educated guy. My parents couldn't believe it. I tend to think - if he is as good at the job as me, what does his education matter? Why should I be offended that a HS-educated guy is in the same room with me?

Education is meant to produce a difference in job performance; it's good for the worker, not directly to the employer. If I with my college degree can't get a better job than a HS-graduate, it's on me to change.

My parents find my lack of ego around this subject so weird. Also, the world at large is probably more similar to my parents.