Eat. Sleep. Code: The Computer Programming Thread, Ver. 010

Yes, you should absolutely be looking for another job immediately.

I am. I was asking that if they hire me back, should I still be looking for another job after that. Theyā€™re cheap as far as programming is concerned, but they might be my best bet until I can get some real notches under my belt.

Edit: since posting my resume on my stateā€™s talent bank late last night yesterday (8/22/2013), Iā€™ve gotten calls from 2 staffing companies. Should I avoid these? One offered me a position where I had to relocate, which I said no to. This is brand new to me, and I feel staffing companies will be the most common inquiries I get besides the jobs I apply for. What are the dos and donā€™ts here?

Staffing companies can be pretty handy; I got my first programming job through one. Basically, I just consider them as a resume-dispersal service; theyā€™ll be busy trying to find jobs for you, but they shouldnā€™t be the only means of finding a job that you use. Depending on the staffing agency, they may have some programming tests that are supposed to gauge your level of expertise; the ones I took with one company gave me a pretty bad score (lots of questions on languages I donā€™t use), but it was enough to show the employers that I knew enough to get started, and I could learn the rest.

Also, depending on where you live, there might be programming usergroups somewhere in your area; Iā€™d do a few searches on Google or your preferred search engine to see if you can find some. Theyā€™re usually great for learning about programming, and you should definitely try to network with the people there. You never know if someone might have a job they need filling, or if they know someone that does.

Started my computer science masters today. First lecture was on software engineering, basically project management. I have Introduction to computer science tomorrow, going to be doing stuff on binary notation, octal and hex, how to convert to and from decimal, overflow, floating points and factorials.

There was me hoping I had picked modules that would avoid any sort of mathematics :lol:

Hoping itā€™s as straightforward as it sounds, Iā€™ll trying to code in Java by the end of the week.

Canā€™t do comp sci without some math. Especially true if you want to make games or make graphics software.

What did you get your Bachelors in?

I couldnt imagine going into computer science masters without a bachelors in one

Architecture :lol:

Iā€™m doing a conversion course that brings people without a computing degree up to MSc level, hence why weā€™re doing the basics now. Weā€™ll then move onto the proper MSc level stuff in a few weeks.

How many conversion courses are there and how many semesters does that take?
A B.S. is Computer Science is not something you can just take a few courses in and be good enough to reach MS level. Iā€™d be worried that you wonā€™t come out of this MS with even a BS level of content.

Sorry if you linked before, what school is offering this? Can you send a link?

All above board. PMā€™d link

Debating whether a MS is worth it.

@k4polo
What do you have now and what do you think you want out of a MS degree?
What sort of work are you doing and do you like it?

Debating whether a MS is worth it.

I have bachelor degree. I am a developer. I am about 2 years in my career path.

I eventually want to become a Dev Lead or maybe college professor.
I thinking I should get my Masters.

College Professor: You have to have a PhD and that wonā€™t even be enough. You have to be a mother fucking paper producing machine. You basically have to be a workaholic with no life; it seems crazy to me.

For the Dev Lead, I canā€™t say 100% given your situation, but experience helps more than the MS. If you can get the MS while continuing to work, that would be a good option, if you think you have handle having no life.

Iā€™d say the worst option is PhD, but Iā€™m biased. You got to really want to dedicate yourself and can afford the financial hit along with all the other ā€œno lifeā€ issues.
Not working and getting a MS is a bad idea, IMO.
Working and getting a MS seems like a good idea, if you think school will teach you more and you can handle having no life.

What do you think? Are you unhappy with your current career path? What do you think the MS will give you that you canā€™t get otherwise?

I almost was at 2 years and could have gone back for a PhD, but changed my mind due to circumstances changing at work and because I decided just finding a new job would have been better.

Fyi, I have a MS. I went straight 6 years BS computer science to MS robotic and control, and now I do research for air traffic management (NASA, FAA, etc).

I got a Q for you guys: What`s the better language to learn for a beginner, Java or PERL?

Perl? Is this 1996?

Java is better I think, itā€™s more current and you can land a job way easier

I donā€™t think an MS in the same field you already work in and have a bachelors in will really do anything, at least not more than more experience will do.

I heard this from friend as well. They suggest I get a master in some kind of management. I donā€™t understand this however.
Wouldnā€™t getting a masters in your own field only enhance what you do? Or sometimes it might not be worth it?

how much calculus do you useā€¦i was talking to my boy who works for the govt and made it sound like him talkin calculus was a waste of time and doesnt use it at all.

nah my understanding is masters are generally supposed to be out of your current discipline, to give a wider array of skills, phdā€™s are if you wanna go deeper.

edit: or something different to supplement your current skillset, but not tring to expand on something you already know.

Look at the specific courses.
Do you think those specific courses are going to teach you a lot more? Do you think the project/thesis will teach you something very important?

Thereā€™s much you can learn on your own without spending money on a MS. If you donā€™t feel confident in learning on your own, a MS can help.