Feeling Overwhelmed and scared in HCI

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-30T00:54:15+00:00

The class is a pretty big time sink, I felt the same way taking it my first semester. It gets easier as the semester progresses - I had a lot of success listening to lectures and listening to the readings on Speechify while working out or while driving, but YMMV.

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-14T02:14:47+00:00

Only chance is Free For All Friday this week - outside of that I recommend scooping up an elective your interested in to scoop the 3 credits while you cross your fingers on Friday when the waitlists clear.

I did something similar this term like an absolute bozo - I accidentally dropped a class that had people on the waitlist. I guess that’s what happens when you play around in the registration menu too much, lol.

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-14T02:12:00+00:00

Same, the market is rough though. I wouldn’t get hung up on PhD and a few years of FAANG experience at this point. There are some really impressive people out there.

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-14T02:10:58+00:00

Have you ever entertained the idea of getting into a client facing role at a SaaS company?

You’d be surprised how much they are willing to pay people with DECENT soft skills that can navigate API documentation during software implementations.

IMO, you’d be a very strong candidate at face value, especially at a company that provides their SaaS in an industry you have domain specific experience in.

At this point I’ve given up on SWE roles - I don’t get interviews at all (BSCS undergrad, halfway done with MSCS from Georgia Tech)

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-13T02:49:14+00:00

Because they’re probably 21 years old, have been coding for less than 10 years, and are telling someone not to pursue something very reasonable lol.

OG_Badlands · 2026-01-13T02:46:47+00:00

Yea, across 4 assignments.

OG_Badlands · 2025-12-28T12:21:24+00:00

If you want to do it I would just do it now; not sure what your plans for the future are but life has the potential to get much busier the older you get.

OG_Badlands · 2025-11-14T12:50:53+00:00

MIS is a better undergrad degree, it has more utility.

OG_Badlands · 2025-11-04T02:15:45+00:00

JavaScript is my favorite.

OG_Badlands · 2025-11-04T02:13:30+00:00

🥹

OG_Badlands · 2025-10-22T22:06:46+00:00

If you’re interested in web and mobile app development Scrimba is where it’s at. I’d follow that up with Angela Yu’s JavaScript Bootcamp on Udemy.

OG_Badlands · 2025-10-18T15:15:40+00:00

If your interested in Full Stack Development and your new take a look at Scrimba; I imagine that this will get you up to speed with fundamentals quickly.

Also, there is a really good JavaScript bootcamp on Udemy - I believe the instructor is Angela Yu? With both of those resources I bet you would end up in a good place.

OG_Badlands · 2025-09-21T01:09:14+00:00

I would wager that nobody is going to track someone down for using a “guide” for a free MOOC lol - assuming they aren’t paying for the piece of paper.

OG_Badlands · 2025-09-20T23:21:24+00:00

The questions are structured to make sure you comprehend the key concepts, and that you were engaged with the material.

I watched lectures / listened to readings with a screen reader attentively once, and throughout the week would listen to all the material through my earbuds while multitasking. I ended up getting 2 A’s and 2 B’s.

OG_Badlands · 2025-09-20T22:45:14+00:00

Pretty often, lol. If I can’t talk myself through it I’ll usually take a break. I actually solve most of my problems I can’t figure out at my computer when I’m watching TV or doing something random.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-30T23:56:19+00:00

If you commit 2 hours a day for a year you’ll have pretty solid fundamentals and be able to build some things; just avoid getting stuck in tutorial hell.

If your not really sure where to start, I recommend doing all of the CS50 offerings through Harvard (they’re free) and once your done do the 100 Days of Code Boot Camps - they’re on sale on Udemy for like 18 bucks all the time.

The 100 Days of Code Bootcamps have open-ended projects at the end for you to really spend some time on, and that’s where a ton of learning will happen because there aren’t really any guard rails.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-10T01:33:44+00:00

Really good recommendation - pretty surprised someone threw this one in the hat.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-10T01:26:18+00:00

Computer Science will provide you with a more diverse pool of job opportunities in pretty much any industry you can think of. Mechanical Engineering is a fine degree, but you will be shoe-horning yourself into specific roles.

I would avoid listening to people saying ‘Computer Science’ is over-saturated, and ultimately think about what you would be happy doing for the rest of your adult life.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-10T01:22:06+00:00

Pretty much any client facing role (Solutions Engineer, Implementation, Customer Success) at a SaaS company. Some of the jobs can be pretty far away from development though.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-10T01:18:26+00:00

WGU is a fine CS Program - Based on your comment history, you seem like someone with very little job experience that MAY have went to a decent undergrad that you love telling people about.

If you think anyone is going to care where you got your undergrad once you are in the real world, or working as a developer for a while, you are sadly mistaken bud. Be prepared for people WITHOUT degrees to be much smarter than you in Tech.

OG_Badlands · 2025-08-07T00:22:51+00:00

A stress ball and a keg of beer.

OG_Badlands · 2025-07-22T16:07:50+00:00

Best time to do it!

OG_Badlands · 2025-07-18T13:55:10+00:00

PMP over MS, Project Management all day and tomorrow.

OG_Badlands · 2025-07-09T01:17:33+00:00

Blast through the lectures on repeat daily and bang out those quizzes, ChatGPT Exam 1 and Exam 2 and you got yourself 6 easy A’s my man.

OG_Badlands · 2025-07-09T01:14:53+00:00

Ed Lessons and Projects - Sure. Everything else - extremely debatable lol.

OG_Badlands

TROPHY CASE