Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#1

Post by d33d33 » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 5:48 PM UTC

a few years ago i posted a question:

Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ? ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7997624 )

after reading all the answers and recommendations, i decided to study CS in 2015.

it was quite challenging in every sense: time/money management, high drop-out rates (~80% fail or stop studying cs at my university), lack of math skills - school was far far away.

now, i finished it and i can say, i definitely don't regret it. it sharpened my mind and changed my mindset in a positive way. i've got absolutely no problems finding job offers (mainly as consultat or junior software engineers (i.e. IBM)) although i am now in my mid-thirties.

thank you, hn community

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#2

Post by joslin01 » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:03 PM UTC

Nice job, comp sci degree is not easy but man does it set you up for success

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#3

Post by antonius » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:06 PM UTC

Good job. I received a degree in finance and ended up not wanting to go into banking so I went back and got my CS degree. Like you said, looking back it was definitely worth all the time and effort.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#4

Post by overthemoon » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:07 PM UTC

Congratulations! Did you work full time while in school? Is this in the US or Germany? I've thought about school, I'd love to get a formal education, but I just landed my first job and I probably won't end up doing it.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#5

Post by robeastham » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:10 PM UTC

Well done you! Though 30 is not that old, I've never believed that old adage about old dogs. Grit, determination, self belief and a positive outlook are some of the main ingredients required to change course in life. Sacrifice will most likely be required too if the change of course is more than 45 degrees.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#6

Post by jackhack » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:12 PM UTC

I remember that question/conversation. So pleased it worked out.

Mind sharing a few thoughts about your experience as an "older" student? Any surprises about the coursework/assignments/fellow students?

Comparing my oldest child's recent university experience to mine (in the 70s) it's like a different world. Much more paper submission & grading online, much more 'handholding' and support from the instructors, more teamwork assignments, less reading.

Thanks again for the followup, and congrats!!!

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#7

Post by westoque » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:13 PM UTC

> it was quite challenging in every sense: time/money management, high drop-out rates (~80% fail or stop studying cs at my university), lack of math skills - school was far far away.

This is where a mentor I believe does a great job. I know people that had a hard time learning because they don't have someone guiding them. Some aspects, like say, async programming or memory management could be hard to grasp by yourself but when someone explains it well, then it everything starts to come together. That's why when I'm teaching I always tell people to understand the concepts first cause you'll only learn it once and it will help you understand the pieces better.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#8

Post by nemild » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:16 PM UTC

That's awesome, and an inspiration.

And I really encourage you to find a good team (rather than just focusing on salary), it'll really level you up quickly — and set you up for lots of good opportunities as the years go by.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#9

Post by Jesus_Jones » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:21 PM UTC

Glad to hear it worked out for you! I think there's a lot of potential for people who non-traditional students who are capable of focusing on science, math, logic, getting retrained into CS and have a good career. We definitely need more people in the field, and I'm sure you bring a slightly different perspective coming in at a little bit later age.

Re: Tell HN: I just wanted to say: thank you, Hacker News

#10

Post by samayylmao » Wed, Mar 21, 2018, 6:21 PM UTC

jackhack wrote: post #6

I remember that question/conversation. So pleased it worked out. Mind sharing a few thoughts about your experience as an "older" student? Any surprises about the coursework/assignments/fellow students? Comparing my oldest child's recent university experience to mine (in the 70s) it's like a different world. Much more paper submission & grading online, much more 'handholding' and support from the instructors, more tea…

I"m working on a BS in Software Development at 27. I 100% agree with the hand holding statement. It feels to me like universities are lowering expectations so students pass rather than fail them. I know one individual who is a senior in this Software Development program who doesn't understand basic concepts but his professors have been passing him. I don't think this benefits the student, school, or society. In fact, if anything it devalues education.

I am curious if this is an isolated situation at my university or if this trend is more secular.