|
| What constitutes a good block of Sample Code to give a prospective employer? I'd blame it on the Brain farts.. But lets be honest, it really is more like a Methane factory between my ears some days then it is anything else...
|
|
|
|
|
I'd say your prospective employer might look at your code three times if all goes well:
1.First a quick scan over it: if it looks horrible with no stucture, no spaces, and nothing to tell me whats going on, it's heading for the bin.
2.Second OK, I'm willing to have another look scanning/reading a bit slower this time: Now I at least take time to see whats happening as I scan through. Can I pick up the story?
3.Third, now I'm interested and I might actually look in detail at some of the actual code.
As one who has interviewed prospective programmers, nothing puts me off as much as the interviewee pulling a wad of printout and saying "here's something I did whilst working for .....". Are they going to take away all they do here the same way? So when I meet prospecctive employers I ensure I of point out "I've got permission to use this code" or this report; or point out i'ts something I wrote at home etc.
And is code just code? I'd be more impressed by an intro saying this code was written based on .... and using a style of .... using .... recommendations. I can see a book "Clean Code" on my bookshelf, refering to such a book, or a standard, is going to make it more than just code, it's already put in the readers mind that you can work to a style, standard or team rules.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
In short - write some articles for CodeProject 
I are Troll 
|
|
|
|
|
Hi,
I've recently been given the green light to try to organize some training sessions using online training videos - preferably free as the company I work for does not want to actually invest in its employees....but that's another issue for another forum....
Anyway, can anyone suggest a site with good training videos? Or conversely, suggest those sites I should avoid.
And yes, the training should involve software/database development...
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
I don't know what language you will use to develop but this is a very good asp.net-site with many training videos. Just have a look.
Greetings
Covean
|
|
|
|
|
I have a bachelors of science in computer science, and I've been working as a software developer for the same company for the last 7 years. I'm trying to figure out what to do for my masters: a masters in computer science or a masters in software engineering. I'm sure if I stay at my current company, it's not going to matter either way. But I'm curious as to what other companies would view which degree as being more desirable.
The graduate computer science program at the school I plan on attending has the option of taking almost exclusively nothing but software engineering coursework. So I can basically receive the same kind of education as a masters in software engineering student would; it's just that the degree isn't called "software engineering". So basically it all just boils down to semantics, really.
Personally, my interests lean more towards computer science than software engineering. I've looked at the software engineering curriculum at many different schools, and from what I can tell it's more of a management degree rather than a degree about the actual writing of software. So even though I could take nothing but software engineernig coursework at the school I want to attend, I would just take the "core" software engineernig courses then fill up the rest of the coursework with computer science classes.
|
|
|
|
|
Which degree looks "better" depends on the company that is reading it. Company A which is highly process oriented may like SE better whereas one that is more seat-of-the-pants-let's-get-it-done-NOW may like CS better. I'd go for which one you like better. Wait ... you already know that. 
asincero wrote: Personally, my interests lean more towards computer science than software engineering.
Judy
Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss.
Lazarus Long, "Time Enough For Love" by Robert A. Heinlein
|
|
|
|
|
If you were not working at your company, which degree would they look for? Take the other one, your seven years of experience already give you the other.
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that. [The QA section does it automatically now, I hope we soon get it on regular forums as well]
|
|
|
|
|
If I was in a position to hire either, I'd take the Software Engineering degree candidate over the Computer Science grad. It may be different in your field, but in my experience, XXX Science types develop theories and formulate universal truths; Engineers build things that work, and sell.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
|
|
|
|
|
Interesting. Would you pay attention to the course work taken if it were listed on the resume? Like I said in my original post, even though the degree would say "Master of Science Computer Science", I can choose to take all of my coursework from the software engineering concentration so it'd basically be a software engineering degree.
|
|
|
|
|
asincero wrote: Would you pay attention to the course work taken if it were listed on the resume?
I'd certainly look it over, if the resume made the final cut, but that conflicts with the principle of keeping a resume brief. That's an extremely important rule! I've received resumes that were several pages long - one was over 20 pages, years ago - and they get passed around the office for a good belly laugh, then tossed in the dumpster.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
|
|
|
|
|
i'm an engineer 2009 pass out
I have two job offers
1.php web developer
2.business analyst
which would be the better choice to work....
the quieter u become more u hear
|
|
|
|
|
I would say "web developer" because you did not read the instructions for the Bugs and Suggestions board and posted this question there instead of this forum. To be a business analyst you need to read what you see carefully.
cheers,
Chris Maunder
The Code Project Co-founder
Microsoft C++ MVP
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Maunder wrote: I would say "web developer"
you always say "web developer" when you don't know; you're just trying to up your odds. 
Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]
I only read code that is properly formatted, adding PRE tags is the easiest way to obtain that. [The QA section does it automatically now, I hope we soon get it on regular forums as well]
|
|
|
|
|
Aw, you're just saying that because you're a web developer... 
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Everyone
I am an MCP with the 70-315 and 70-316 under my belt.
I am currently studying towards 70-536 and 70-562 to get up to speed with ASP.NET 3.5. I've studied an MCAD with Computeach in 2005-2008 and I understand HTML, AJAX, CSS and so on.
I've had a few interviews but can't get commercial experience because of lack of commercial experience.
There are also no I.T developer apprenticships for someone of 40. I tried the volunteer route for website design, but they never get back to me and think I'm overqualified.
What can I do?
|
|
|
|
|
mnemonic69 wrote: What can I do?
Take a look at RentACoder[^], where you may find an opportunity, or try advertising in your local press. I'm not sure what country you are in, but your age is probably against you for mainstream employment, as most companies would expect someone of your age to have 5-10 years experience at least.
|
|
|
|
|
Hi,
I'll look at rentacoder, I'm in the UK and I do have at least 5 years experience (unfortunately it isn't commercial). The training college I studied with (Computeach) had the attitude that 'you are never too old' to become a computer programmer and they have actually placed people of all ages, from all walks of life in programming jobs!
|
|
|
|
|
mnemonic69 wrote: I do have at least 5 years experience (unfortunately it isn't commercial).
So what is it relevant to? That may be the path you should be considering.
mnemonic69 wrote: The training college I studied with (Computeach) had the attitude that 'you are never too old' to become a computer programmer
Actually I think their attitude is "you are never too old to pay us a lot of money for something you could get free elsewhere". You can learn programming by reading books and studying tutorials here on CP and other sites. If you have the ability to become a half-decent programmer you should then be just as marketable as anyone who comes out of one of these establishments.
|
|
|
|
|
Its 'relevent' to my spending many hours learning C# and learning the difficult programming exercises (desktop type appliations) that I did on my course and doing the same kind of programming and design tasks as an every day commercial programmer.
I do share some of your cynicism regarding I.T training colleges, but the fact remains I forked out a lot of money (nearly £4000) due to my determination and enthusiam to become Microsoft certified, but more than that to become a commercial programmer!
I believe I am marketable,just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
|
|
|
|
|
mnemonic69 wrote: Its 'relevent' to my spending many hours learning C# and learning the difficult programming exercises (desktop type appliations) that I did on my course and doing the same kind of programming and design tasks as an every day commercial programmer.
Unfortunately employers are generally unimpressed by this as they do not see it as 'real world' work.
mnemonic69 wrote: I believe I am marketable,just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
I'm not sure how much MCPs impress potential employers, the only way of telling is to read the job ads and talk to agents.
I have every sympathy with your search having been in the same position once or twice in my own life. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
mnemonic69 wrote: just need to get a few more MCP's and dig away some more with my C.V.
Yet you have already stated the some think you are over qualified. I doubt MORE qualifications are going to make to more marketable. You now need experience, getting that is one of the most difficult tasks around.
I'm very much a winforms professional and have decades of experience but I have very limited web experience. I am currently doing a web site for a friend, finding the friend who has a valid requirement and is willing to put in the time was not easy. Out of it I expect to get a reference web site that I can point to! I consider that 100% more valuable that qualifications.
Besides most of us look on qualifications and no experience with great trepidation, not having real world experience mixed with a load of qualifications generally makes the dev a complete PITA.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
|
|
|
|
|
Many job advertised for ASP.NET developer require graduates! Which is precisely why I have enrolled on a computer degree course, starting this September!
|
|
|
|
|
Write a web browser that actually works, sell it cheaply, and retire to Costa Rica at 42.
Seriously, you picked a lousy time to break into a new field, and that's probably more the reason for your lack of success than anything. When people with graduate degrees are happy to find work flipping burgers, a beginner doesn't stand much of a chance. Keep studying, and keep trying; this won't last forever.
In the meantime, I'd suggest creating a portfolio of websites for fictitious companies, displaying different styles, layouts, and functionality, then host them on an inexpensive but professional webhosting provider. Do some checkout carts, membership only features, fancy search stuff - anything that will demonstrate how versatile and competent you are. When you submit an application, include links to your demo sites so that potential employers can see for themselves what great things you can bring to them. I think that might well give you an edge over the competition.
Good luck! I know what it's like to be unemployed for long periods. I spent 12 long years working for minimum wage and few, if any, benefits before I found my current job. And it's by far the best job I've ever had. 
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
|
|
|
|
|
I've now enrolled on an HNC/D in computing starting September in my efforts to get a job as a web developer. The HNC, (which will include ASP.NET in Visual Basic - should be interesting as I am fluent in C#) is part-time which is a bonus as you can still sign-on and get L.E.A funding!.
I'm no good at creating a portfolio, which is one reason, I've decided to do a degree as I do like studying and I am determined to become a web developer!
When I did my MCAD in 2005, I was falsely given the impression that this accredidation would more than likely get me a sofware development job.
This was 'Computeach' and I parted with near to £4000 for the priviledge.
Don't be taken in by these I.T training providers!
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
