Dec 31, 2016, 11:30 am
Last edit by: tcook052
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the original 2004 - 2014 thread , 2015 edition , and 2016 edition.
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs or should be posted elsewhere on FT as should topics better suited to other forums such as Travel Products for questions about luggage or Travel Photography for discussion about cameras.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply her as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Sean Peever
FT Poster
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs or should be posted elsewhere on FT as should topics better suited to other forums such as Travel Products for questions about luggage or Travel Photography for discussion about cameras.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply her as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Sean Peever
FT Poster
The Forum Lounge Thread (2017)
Oct 19, 2017, 4:26 pm
#2926
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I'd also throw it out there that degree-less software engineers are, by _far_, the exception.
I did very little "coding" at UW. I learned other things.
I did very little "coding" at UW. I learned other things.
Oct 19, 2017, 6:22 pm
#2928
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No, I never really drank hard liquor until doing EYWv3 with @DrunkCargo.
Oct 19, 2017, 6:28 pm
#2929
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,949
Current mood:
Oct 19, 2017, 7:41 pm
#2931
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
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Posts: 2,476
@Jumper Jack - an alternative you can consider is to apply for a coding bootcamp. We've made quite a few hires from places like appacademy, hackreactor, etc
Oct 19, 2017, 8:54 pm
#2932
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,094
What seems true, IMO, is that most of the top tier software engineers are the ones graduated with a CS/CE/SE degree from top tier universities, especially among new grads and recent grads.
The first thing I learned was how to write technical documents and communication skills, which are probably the most important skills for all engineers. But I suppose Jack has already learned them from business school.
I also learned some linear algebra and probability theory, which I didn't find interesting until I started to learn machine learning. The advanced topics in these subjects are essential for understanding machine learning. That's probably something people don't learn on their own, and there are very few learning materials freely available on the internet.
The only thing you can't learn outside of school is probably research skills. In my final year capstone projects I probably read over 100 papers under the supervision of a professor and we almost published something. If doing it on your own, you don't have access to those papers first of all.
What many self learners miss IMO are what I considered hardcore software courses: algorithms and data structures, OS, and networks. These courses are about why code works rather than how to write codes.
Yea, it was only 1000 lines for each lab, except after I typed everything even printf didn't work
Oct 19, 2017, 9:09 pm
#2933
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
I'll tell a bit of my story as an employer looking for a dev.
The degree for us was what got your foot in the door. I gave my requirements to HR and one of them was a CS degree. We had one or two guys that weren't CS/CE grads and the technical interview was challenging for them since they couldn't talk about things like different design patterns or data structures. The other important thing was fit. We had people who may have been strong technically but just couldn't interview well or just couldn't hold a conversation.
It's incredibly challenging looking for a good dev or even one that fit in with the team and was able to not necessarily give the right answers during the technical portion but at least think through the questions. You would be incredibly surprised at how many developers couldn't walk me through a problem.
The degree for us was what got your foot in the door. I gave my requirements to HR and one of them was a CS degree. We had one or two guys that weren't CS/CE grads and the technical interview was challenging for them since they couldn't talk about things like different design patterns or data structures. The other important thing was fit. We had people who may have been strong technically but just couldn't interview well or just couldn't hold a conversation.
It's incredibly challenging looking for a good dev or even one that fit in with the team and was able to not necessarily give the right answers during the technical portion but at least think through the questions. You would be incredibly surprised at how many developers couldn't walk me through a problem.
Oct 19, 2017, 9:26 pm
#2934
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
I've seen it time and time again. My one friend in Toronto has a team of Russian programmers. They do their online commenting in Russian, so he has started taking Russian classes. He said they are very good, just the lack of English is an issue. He's looking at setting up a dev office in Russia now.
Oct 19, 2017, 10:02 pm
#2935
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
I've seen it time and time again. My one friend in Toronto has a team of Russian programmers. They do their online commenting in Russian, so he has started taking Russian classes. He said they are very good, just the lack of English is an issue. He's looking at setting up a dev office in Russia now.
Oct 19, 2017, 10:10 pm
#2936
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On the other hand, our recruiters are getting pretty good at filtering out the trash.
Though some of the phone screens I do are ridiculous.
"I have to write a... a... a loop? Is that the right solution?"
etc.
Last edited by canadiancow; Oct 20, 2017 at 9:33 am Reason: typo
Oct 19, 2017, 10:12 pm
#2937
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 5,949
This is why I come to AC FT everyday, you guys say the most fascinating things
Oct 20, 2017, 12:51 am
#2938
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
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Oct 20, 2017, 3:53 am
#2939
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
On one hand, I wouldn't be surprised, because I do interviewing.
On the other hand, our recruiters are getting pretty good at filtering out the trash.
Though some of the phone screen I do are ridiculous.
"I have to write a... a.... a loop? Is that the right solution?"
etc.
On the other hand, our recruiters are getting pretty good at filtering out the trash.
Though some of the phone screen I do are ridiculous.
"I have to write a... a.... a loop? Is that the right solution?"
etc.
Oct 20, 2017, 7:44 am
#2940
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
On one hand, I wouldn't be surprised, because I do interviewing.
On the other hand, our recruiters are getting pretty good at filtering out the trash.
Though some of the phone screen I do are ridiculous.
"I have to write a... a.... a loop? Is that the right solution?"
etc.
On the other hand, our recruiters are getting pretty good at filtering out the trash.
Though some of the phone screen I do are ridiculous.
"I have to write a... a.... a loop? Is that the right solution?"
etc.
I remember with one interviewee it was like "So how would you do x in C#" then they just stared at the screen for a few minutes and we said "It's ok... just write it in any language you want" more starring finally it was "Just describe to me how you would do it" blank stare.
It wasn't some complex problem it was something really easy. I think after that I said "Sorry, we've got some meetings we need to do. Thanks for coming"
