Greetings looking for someone who's in the field
Greetings folks,
I'm starting my education in the field and would just like to ask some questions to someone who has the time and patience. It's required for a class but also for my own personal concerns of the field and my future upon graduation. It's 20 questions, mostly general but some a few may be considered specific. It must be with someone who is a programmer. We can do it through here or by email whichever you prefer. I'd really appreciate your time. Let me know if you have questions too.
Thanks,
-Dom
I'm starting my education in the field and would just like to ask some questions to someone who has the time and patience. It's required for a class but also for my own personal concerns of the field and my future upon graduation. It's 20 questions, mostly general but some a few may be considered specific. It must be with someone who is a programmer. We can do it through here or by email whichever you prefer. I'd really appreciate your time. Let me know if you have questions too.
Thanks,
-Dom
I'm curious to see this as well. I'm sure who ever you choose won't have an issue stating their answers for everyone to read.
i agree with Cubbi and Computergeek also if you wanted to you could post the questions here and everyone could help answer them.
Alright sounds good to me. Please be honest.
1-What are some of the jobs you would suggest to start gaining experience in the software field to land jobs that are looking for experience?
2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
3-What is the most common programming language you use?
4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
15-How many years of experience do you have?
16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
1-What are some of the jobs you would suggest to start gaining experience in the software field to land jobs that are looking for experience?
2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
3-What is the most common programming language you use?
4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
15-How many years of experience do you have?
16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
1: ?
2: ?
3: C++
4: Yes it is the reason i started programming.
Why: I fell that it will provide a good income and it is something i enjoy doing. when i am making a game i get an enormous amount of satisfaction knowing that i made it and i got it to work (often with the help of the forum)
5: Sometimes it is the same and sometimes it is different
6: I have never made a phone program
7: not yet
8: i usually ask people on the forums or i google it. and if neither work i try a different approach
9: anywhere from a week to several months (the programs i have made) however most programs will take months to years
10: ?
11: ?
12: ?
13: no
14: no but i am interested in trying
15: 1
16: 1
17: no
18: not much
19: ?
20: ?
? = can't answer or refuse to answer
I know that i didn't answer all the questions but i hope that i helped
2: ?
3: C++
4: Yes it is the reason i started programming.
Why: I fell that it will provide a good income and it is something i enjoy doing. when i am making a game i get an enormous amount of satisfaction knowing that i made it and i got it to work (often with the help of the forum)
5: Sometimes it is the same and sometimes it is different
6: I have never made a phone program
7: not yet
8: i usually ask people on the forums or i google it. and if neither work i try a different approach
9: anywhere from a week to several months (the programs i have made) however most programs will take months to years
10: ?
11: ?
12: ?
13: no
14: no but i am interested in trying
15: 1
16: 1
17: no
18: not much
19: ?
20: ?
? = can't answer or refuse to answer
I know that i didn't answer all the questions but i hope that i helped
> 1-What are some of the jobs you would suggest to start gaining experience in the software field to land jobs that are looking for experience?
The logical answer is "jobs that don't require experience" - internships, junior roles, one-offs you got through personal connections. My first paid job was a piece of software for a small science business whose owner knew my college professor (and who then needed more software)
> 2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
First thing I ask a recent graduate is what personal or open source programming projects they worked on.
> 3-What is the most common programming language you use?
C++
> 4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
No, not seriously anyway. I never connected with retail software.
> 5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
It varies, but even if there's a major problem that's taking more than a week to work through, there's usually a dozen new small ones every day.
> 6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
No experience with phones.
> 7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
No, once I got the PhD, people pretty much expect me to research whatever I need to know on my own. And explain it to them, too.
> 8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
I ask the guy to my right, or the guy across to my left, or call a few people together to a whiteboard or the corner under the stairs to toss some ideas around. Programming is a group experience, anyone's problem is the team's problem, everyone's success depends on the rest.
> 9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
It values - anywhere from hours to years.
> 10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
It varies: I've been the guy who flies/drives/walks to the customer's location when they call in the dead of night, I've been the guy who argues with the customer over the specs, but most of the time there are layers of support, representatives, etc, between me and the client. Assignments come from business.
> 11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
Not the first job, but I eventually moved 7 times in the first 7 years after graduation. Being mobile is very important until you're a heavyweight.
> 12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
Programming is vast - there are offices where everyone's a PhD, there are garages where college dropouts hack together successful products. When I interview people, as a programmer, I don't care what their school was. I care what they did, can they do it again, and would I want them on my team. HR might care, though.
> 13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
Replace "language" with "library" and yes, that sure happens.
> 14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
No such experience
> 15-How many years of experience do you have?
From when this became the source of income - 18
> 16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
"field" is a bit vague, and so is "solid grasp". I could say 5 years or 15.
> 17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
It gets frustrating to interview countless candidates that don't know C++ beyond C-with-classes (if even that), but apply for a senior position. C++ has probably the widest gap between what the higher education offers and what the industry expects. Consequently, being chronically short-staffed gets tiring sometimes.
> 18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
Plenty of changes in software development in general happened over the years, but within each specific business I've been part of -- not so much. Perhaps the push for more rigorous testing and code quality became stronger where it wasn't the norm from the beginning.
> 19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
Definitely - international standards, software user manuals, hardware spec sheets, wiring diagrams, etc.
> 20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
get real experience before graduation
The logical answer is "jobs that don't require experience" - internships, junior roles, one-offs you got through personal connections. My first paid job was a piece of software for a small science business whose owner knew my college professor (and who then needed more software)
> 2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
First thing I ask a recent graduate is what personal or open source programming projects they worked on.
> 3-What is the most common programming language you use?
C++
> 4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
No, not seriously anyway. I never connected with retail software.
> 5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
It varies, but even if there's a major problem that's taking more than a week to work through, there's usually a dozen new small ones every day.
> 6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
No experience with phones.
> 7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
No, once I got the PhD, people pretty much expect me to research whatever I need to know on my own. And explain it to them, too.
> 8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
I ask the guy to my right, or the guy across to my left, or call a few people together to a whiteboard or the corner under the stairs to toss some ideas around. Programming is a group experience, anyone's problem is the team's problem, everyone's success depends on the rest.
> 9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
It values - anywhere from hours to years.
> 10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
It varies: I've been the guy who flies/drives/walks to the customer's location when they call in the dead of night, I've been the guy who argues with the customer over the specs, but most of the time there are layers of support, representatives, etc, between me and the client. Assignments come from business.
> 11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
Not the first job, but I eventually moved 7 times in the first 7 years after graduation. Being mobile is very important until you're a heavyweight.
> 12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
Programming is vast - there are offices where everyone's a PhD, there are garages where college dropouts hack together successful products. When I interview people, as a programmer, I don't care what their school was. I care what they did, can they do it again, and would I want them on my team. HR might care, though.
> 13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
Replace "language" with "library" and yes, that sure happens.
> 14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
No such experience
> 15-How many years of experience do you have?
From when this became the source of income - 18
> 16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
"field" is a bit vague, and so is "solid grasp". I could say 5 years or 15.
> 17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
It gets frustrating to interview countless candidates that don't know C++ beyond C-with-classes (if even that), but apply for a senior position. C++ has probably the widest gap between what the higher education offers and what the industry expects. Consequently, being chronically short-staffed gets tiring sometimes.
> 18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
Plenty of changes in software development in general happened over the years, but within each specific business I've been part of -- not so much. Perhaps the push for more rigorous testing and code quality became stronger where it wasn't the norm from the beginning.
> 19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
Definitely - international standards, software user manuals, hardware spec sheets, wiring diagrams, etc.
> 20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
get real experience before graduation
closed account (z05DSL3A)
1-What are some of the jobs you would suggest to start gaining experience in the software field to land jobs that are looking for experience?
Develop software for the 'App Store' market.
2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
Activities, join in on open source projects in the area that interests you. Clubs, look for 'user groups' in something that you are interested in
3-What is the most common programming language you use?
Currently, C#
4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
No, because I have no interest in it.
5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
Yes and no. The big picture is always something new, some of the finer details is a bit samey but that is what design patterns and libraries are for.
6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
I would say no, there are a few extra concerns to do with efficiency but it is not vastly different.
7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
return to school, no.
learn something new, all the time
8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
It would depend on what the issue is but first port of call is to bring others in on the issue.
9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
How long is a piece of string?
10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
In-house projects, I have a lot of interaction with the customer (end user), I like it that way, the best way to meet the users expectations is to talk to the users not the managers.
For the projects that go to the company’s customers, I have very little interaction with them, it boils down to what sales and marketing want.
11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
No
12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
Not necessarily, but it may be the first hurdle to get past the HR drones.
13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
I am lucky in that I decide (for the most part) what language to use, but I try not to look at old work I prefer newer reference materials.
14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
I have looked into it as an additional income but decided it was not worth the hassle.
15-How many years of experience do you have?
As a job? About 15 years but I started learning 30-odd years ago.
16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
I feel thing change too quickly for me to get a solid grasp in my field, that's why I like doing what I do.
17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
One thing I don't enjoy about my job is the fixed hours. I not always in a creative frame of mind and it can be a real drag to write code when you don't want too.
18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
A lot, for example when I started using C++ it was not standardised.
19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
Yes! Books, Microsoft oneNote, standards, statutory instruments (Legal docs), PDFs, help file...and Google. You can't be expected to know it all with authority but can be expects to find what you need quickly.
20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
Get a body of work behind you that you can show people...and spend some time creating a good looking curriculum vitae (CV)/resume and get it out to companies with a good personalised covering letter (try to avoid HR)
Develop software for the 'App Store' market.
2-What would activities or clubs would you suggest a student get involved in to help them later after graduation in their field?
Activities, join in on open source projects in the area that interests you. Clubs, look for 'user groups' in something that you are interested in
3-What is the most common programming language you use?
Currently, C#
4-Have you ever considered the gaming industry? Why or why not?
No, because I have no interest in it.
5-Do you come across the same problems throughout your work week or is it something new everyday?
Yes and no. The big picture is always something new, some of the finer details is a bit samey but that is what design patterns and libraries are for.
6-Is there a big difference in creating programs for phones compared to computers?
I would say no, there are a few extra concerns to do with efficiency but it is not vastly different.
7-Have you ever had to return to school and learn something new in your field due to changes in the industry?
return to school, no.
learn something new, all the time
8-If you ever come across an issue you couldn't resolve what happens?
It would depend on what the issue is but first port of call is to bring others in on the issue.
9-How long does it generally take you to develop a program from start to finish?
How long is a piece of string?
10-How much interaction do you get with the customer? or do you receive your assignments only from your employer?
In-house projects, I have a lot of interaction with the customer (end user), I like it that way, the best way to meet the users expectations is to talk to the users not the managers.
For the projects that go to the company’s customers, I have very little interaction with them, it boils down to what sales and marketing want.
11-Upon graduation did you require relocation for your first job in the field(programming)?
No
12-Is a bachelor's degree where the bar is set to obtain a job in the field?
Not necessarily, but it may be the first hurdle to get past the HR drones.
13-Do you find yourself looking over old work to refresh yourself on languages when your employer wants a program written in a different language?
I am lucky in that I decide (for the most part) what language to use, but I try not to look at old work I prefer newer reference materials.
14-Have you ever done freelance work? Could you give a short description of your experience.
I have looked into it as an additional income but decided it was not worth the hassle.
15-How many years of experience do you have?
As a job? About 15 years but I started learning 30-odd years ago.
16-How many years do you feel it took for you to get a solid grasp on your field?
I feel thing change too quickly for me to get a solid grasp in my field, that's why I like doing what I do.
17-Aside from unfriendly co-workers or management /customers is there something you don't enjoy about your job or the field in general?
One thing I don't enjoy about my job is the fixed hours. I not always in a creative frame of mind and it can be a real drag to write code when you don't want too.
18-What kind of changes have you seen through the years in your field? Type of work? How employers want things done?
A lot, for example when I started using C++ it was not standardised.
19-Do you keep reference items with you when you work? Like if it's part of you job to know a language or about a system/ piece of hardware and you can't remember how to use said item?
Yes! Books, Microsoft oneNote, standards, statutory instruments (Legal docs), PDFs, help file...and Google. You can't be expected to know it all with authority but can be expects to find what you need quickly.
20-What is the best piece of advice you have for people starting to enter the field? (immediately after graduating with a degree.)
Get a body of work behind you that you can show people...and spend some time creating a good looking curriculum vitae (CV)/resume and get it out to companies with a good personalised covering letter (try to avoid HR)
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