Home > Archive > Extreme Programming > May 2004 > Programming Newbie seeks Career Advice
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Programming Newbie seeks Career Advice
|
|
| VisualJP 2004-05-12, 7:44 pm |
| I'm currently working as a CG artist and am looking into transitioning into
programming. I've done a good deal of programming in a scripting language that
is very similar to C++. (Maya is the animation software, Mel is what they call
the scripting language)
I was hoping I could find out more information on programming and the computer
field, in general. I'm just starting to scratch the surface and am finding
that a whole lot of different jobs fall under the umbrella of "computers" and
"programming". Where can one go to get an overview of the different types of
careers that are around? It would be great if there was something that could
list the different jobs and maybe give examples of what that job entails or
maybe what sorts of skills are required.
This might be a difficult question to answer. I am starting a programming
class this summer (C++). Its the first class in what could ultimately lead to
what is basically a minor in programming. I've already got a Master's degree
in Architecture. I'm not sure how excited I am to go back and get a BS in
programming (and I dont know how many credit hours from Architecture I could
apply towards a BS degree). My question is this: does anyone have a feel for
the desirability of someone with some experience and a class or two in
programming, but not a BS in Computer Science? In other words, could I make it
in programming without a BS, or should I grit my teeth and just get the BS?
Are there any books or websites anyone can recommend for more info?
Thanks for the advice.
| |
|
| On Tue, 11 May 2004 03:54:07 UTC, visualjp@aol.com (VisualJP) wrote:
> I'm currently working as a CG artist and am looking into transitioning into
> programming. I've done a good deal of programming in a scripting language that
> is very similar to C++. (Maya is the animation software, Mel is what they call
> the scripting language)
>
> I was hoping I could find out more information on programming and the computer
> field, in general. I'm just starting to scratch the surface and am finding
> that a whole lot of different jobs fall under the umbrella of "computers" and
> "programming". Where can one go to get an overview of the different types of
> careers that are around? It would be great if there was something that could
> list the different jobs and maybe give examples of what that job entails or
> maybe what sorts of skills are required.
>
> This might be a difficult question to answer. I am starting a programming
> class this summer (C++). Its the first class in what could ultimately lead to
> what is basically a minor in programming. I've already got a Master's degree
> in Architecture. I'm not sure how excited I am to go back and get a BS in
> programming (and I dont know how many credit hours from Architecture I could
> apply towards a BS degree). My question is this: does anyone have a feel for
> the desirability of someone with some experience and a class or two in
> programming, but not a BS in Computer Science? In other words, could I make it
> in programming without a BS, or should I grit my teeth and just get the BS?
>
> Are there any books or websites anyone can recommend for more info?
>
> Thanks for the advice.
There are almost as many variations on programmers positions as there are
programmers to fill them. There are needs for people with a BS in computers
and needs for people with any other degree and some computer experience.
With the latter, you can help define products within your field of
expertise and have the ability to do some of the programming and at least
talk with other programmers. This can make for a very effective mix in
certain companies.
For instance, my last position was with a company that was developing a
new medical device (automated microscope with vision recognition). They
had PhDs and MSs that could develop and train the neural networks and
algorithms needed to make the project work. It also took a few of us
BSs in CS to make their code efficient, correct, and generally usable
by medical professionals. It was a good marriage of talent.
Perhaps you can find work in the architecture field that also allows
you to program. You may also find other interests to utilize all your
skills. The possibilities are wide open.
David
| |
|
| VisualJP wrote:
> I'm currently working as a CG artist and am looking into transitioning
into
> programming. I've done a good deal of programming in a scripting language
that
> is very similar to C++. (Maya is the animation software, Mel is what they
call
> the scripting language)
Darn. I'm currently working in real C++, which is much more heinous than all
the scripting languages that simulate it, and I have always been looking for
ways to break into CG... ;-)
> I was hoping I could find out more information on programming and the
computer
> field, in general. I'm just starting to scratch the surface and am
finding
> that a whole lot of different jobs fall under the umbrella of "computers"
and
> "programming". Where can one go to get an overview of the different types
of
> careers that are around? It would be great if there was something that
could
> list the different jobs and maybe give examples of what that job entails
or
> maybe what sorts of skills are required.
The programming industry lives in interesting times. The majority of those
job openings are for shops that follow the pattern "write a lot of bugs,
make a list of them, fix each one, add the new ones caused by fixes to the
list, and repeat as the list gets shorter."
That's not healthy, and it explains the chaotic state of financing and
managing programming. Some shops promote people good at blaming programmers
for these troubles.
> This might be a difficult question to answer. I am starting a programming
> class this summer (C++). Its the first class in what could ultimately
lead to
> what is basically a minor in programming.
C++ itself is part of the problem. Its learning curve is >18 solid months,
of various kinds of projects, before one becomes less than dangerous with
the language. It is very finicky, and introduces silent problems unless the
code is just right.
> I've already got a Master's degree
> in Architecture.
A master's degree or equivalent in any technical field is more than enough -
unless you encounter the worst of the HR recruiters. Take that as a sign you
were not meant to work with their bosses.
> I'm not sure how excited I am to go back and get a BS in
> programming (and I dont know how many credit hours from Architecture I
could
> apply towards a BS degree). My question is this: does anyone have a feel
for
> the desirability of someone with some experience and a class or two in
> programming, but not a BS in Computer Science? In other words, could I
make it
> in programming without a BS, or should I grit my teeth and just get the
BS?
>
> Are there any books or websites anyone can recommend for more info?
You will put yourself into the first percentile of programmers if you follow
some simple rules for writing code without bugs. Most people who use this
newsgroup follow Extreme Programming, which is a lifecycle based on Test
Driven Development. That's where you write tests that fail, then write code
that passes, then refactor, while running the tests after every few edits.
This simple formula - done right - keeps ones bug rate very low as a
side-effect of developing very quickly.
Google for these keywords, and augment your C++ with a soft language, such
as Ruby, that stays out of your way.
--
Phlip
http://www.xpsd.org/cgi-bin/wiki?Te...tUserInterfaces
| |
| VisualJP 2004-05-12, 7:44 pm |
| Hey, thanks for tha advice guys.
So, "extreme programming" is an actual methodology? This will sound ignorant,
but I just thought it was another phrase somebody came up with by adding the
word "extreme" (ex. extreme sports, extreme dating, etc.) I figured extreme
programming might just be writing code after one had downed a couple Mountain
Dews.
Yes, I am hoping that my college experience can pay off somehow. (My parents
are hoping that, too.) I'm not sure I will be able to tie the college
experience in directly, by going to work for a company that makes CAD software,
for example. I'm hoping that, at the least, some HR person will look at my
resume and think good thoughts simply because I have the advanced degree,
regardless of how applicable it is to the job I am applying for.
Thanks again
JP
| |
|
| VisualJP wrote:
> Hey, thanks for tha advice guys.
>
> So, "extreme programming" is an actual methodology? This will sound
ignorant,
> but I just thought it was another phrase somebody came up with by adding
the
> word "extreme" (ex. extreme sports, extreme dating, etc.) I figured
extreme
> programming might just be writing code after one had downed a couple
Mountain
> Dews.
One of XP's 12 (or so) Core Practices are "Sustainable Pace".
Drug use (such as the caffiene in the 'Dew) is both a diversity thing or a
no-no. Folks who only program 8 hours a day will find the work stimulating
enough!
> Yes, I am hoping that my college experience can pay off somehow. (My
parents
> are hoping that, too.) I'm not sure I will be able to tie the college
> experience in directly, by going to work for a company that makes CAD
software,
> for example. I'm hoping that, at the least, some HR person will look at
my
> resume and think good thoughts simply because I have the advanced degree,
> regardless of how applicable it is to the job I am applying for.
I took 3 years of art school; they were quite influential.
To get a job, read /What Color is your Parachute?/. The HR lottery might
work, but you should spend most of your time making contacts among real
programmers, and programming. They will realize they need you, and tell
their HR departments to let you thru easily.
--
Phlip
http://www.xpsd.org/cgi-bin/wiki?Te...tUserInterfaces
| |
| Jason Nocks 2004-05-12, 7:44 pm |
| VisualJP wrote:
> Hey, thanks for tha advice guys.
>
> So, "extreme programming" is an actual methodology? This will sound ignorant,
> but I just thought it was another phrase somebody came up with by adding the
> word "extreme" (ex. extreme sports, extreme dating, etc.) I figured extreme
> programming might just be writing code after one had downed a couple Mountain
> Dews.
What you are describing is referred to by many different perjorative
terms: cowboy coding, hack-and-slash coding, etc.
eXtreme Programming has met with some resistance because it is very
different from the old-school, traditional waterfall process that many
have grown accustomed to. Some detractors might try to convince you that
XP is cowboy coding, but this is definitely not the case.
IMHO, XP requires much more discipline than any process I've followed
previously. For example, rather than only doing design at the beginning
of a project, TDD requires thinking about the design all of the time.
Feel free to check out:
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?ExtremeProgrammingRoadmap
Also, XP is an Agile software development process. Check out:
http://www.agilealliance.org/
and/or:
http://www.agilemanifesto.org/
> Yes, I am hoping that my college experience can pay off somehow. (My parents
> are hoping that, too.) I'm not sure I will be able to tie the college
> experience in directly, by going to work for a company that makes CAD software,
> for example. I'm hoping that, at the least, some HR person will look at my
> resume and think good thoughts simply because I have the advanced degree,
> regardless of how applicable it is to the job I am applying for.
You might want to consider getting involved with an Open Source Software
project that relates to your CG experience. That's a great way to find
out if you like software development and prove to companies that you can
be proficient at it. The classroom time is important to learn some of
the fundamentals, but it really helps to also get some real-world
experience. Just my $.02.
> Thanks again
> JP
Cheers,
Jason Nocks
SourceXtreme, Inc.
http://www.sourcextreme.com/
| |
| Ed Suominen 2004-05-19, 8:30 pm |
| VisualJP wrote:
> I've already got a Master's degree
> in Architecture.
In these days of when every line of work that doesn't involve tangible stuff
seems to be a candidate for offshoring, what's wrong with Architecture?
|
|
|
|
|