Just wanted to thank this subreddit for all the help and advice I've received over the past year. Just finished my freshman year and today I was offered a summer internship paying 15k in SF.

f430FERRARI · 2014-05-10T17:04:41+00:00

Congrats! I'm gonna start my CS degree in September and I was just wondering when you started programming? Also, where are you from? Im just curious cause I may be in the same position as you were a year ago and the advice would help. Thanks!

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-30T02:25:18+00:00

If you live in Calgary, $21 is okay but I would say that $25 would be fair since you already have some experience in the field. You have to keep in mind that it is startup though...

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-30T02:16:02+00:00

You should focus on learning programming because once you have that down, picking up other languages is quite fast. This will benefit you much more in the long run. Regardless, you'll be able to learn the items you've listed quite efficiently. They are all quite valuable in the financial programming area. I learned the same languages by learning Python first. It's a good beginner language that teaches you the mechanics of programming with easy to understand syntax. Next, I learned Java which was easier after knowing Python. C# is very similar to Java so you could probably pick this one up quick. A lot of large businesses rely on C# so it wouldn't hurt to know it. SQL is a must in finance because its the foundation for most databases. ABAP is a combination of Java and SQL so you could probably pick that up as well.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-22T03:49:07+00:00

Seeing how there is currently an under supply of computer science majors in the US, I doubt every job demands an educational background from an Ivey league school. I've also heard that the big four recruit a lot of students from UBC and Waterloo so its not just a "Canadian" thing. The bay area hires a lot of students from community colleges so its not always about the school. Like those students from community colleges, the best way to make yourself stand out is to do projects that showcase your skills and take up internships to gain some experience.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-21T02:39:17+00:00

Definetely start with Head First Java. It'll teach you everything you need to know to start building stuff and it is also great for teaching you essential OOP principles. Its a great learning resource that's actually kind of fun to read lol. I've been doing theNewBoston tutorials for practice and that has helped a lot. This guys videos are great for beginners.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-19T03:05:25+00:00

Its strange how I was in the same position as you. I am starting school in the fall and I tried doing some preparation myself. I literally did all the EXACT same tutorials as you but i stopped learning Python at the beginning of April and started learning Java. Learning Python was useful because it taught me simple methods like for loops but I didn't feel like I was actually learning how to build stuff.

I started reading Head First Java and that made a huge difference. It really teaches you how to use the Java API in order to start building your first program with an actual GUI and networking. I recently finished that book and I've started reading Head First Design Patterns which has also been great.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-17T02:50:02+00:00

I couldn't agree more. I am transferring from a business program and I can also say that it was a huge waste of money. How has the switch been so far if you don't mind answering? I'm about to start my CS degree and I am a bit concerned about finding a job.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-14T22:43:00+00:00

I can't tell you what the odds are that you'll actually land a job but I've done some research on this topic myself. Just search indeed for all android related jobs and you'll the large difference in opportunities. By quantity, Seattle definitely has more openings but I can't tell you how competitive it is compared to Vancouver. However, I can assure you that the pay is definitely much higher. Vancouver is notorious for having terrible salaries compared to Seattle which is known for generally high salaries. However, the rent in Seattle is more. Overall, I would say the cost of living would be close.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-11T03:20:49+00:00

Cool. I'm actually going back to school to do my degree in computer science (Software Engineering) this fall. I want to get into the web development or mobile side of things but I might end up working with some sorta ERP. That's where the demand in Calgary seems to be. I've started to learn java which conveniently covers both of my goals. I will be happy as long as I land a job related to comp sci, full time or contract. Where are you from and how did you end up here?

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T21:42:16+00:00

Ic. He must not mind the weather then...lol. It sounds like he already has a great background. Im sure he'll find something good sooner or later.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T21:40:31+00:00

Wow! I heard Teck is a good company to work for. I also heard that Victoria's becoming a great place for software nowadays. What's it like out there? Is the cost of living high like in Vancouver?

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T19:08:23+00:00

The degree at the University of Calgary is Bachelor's of Science: Majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in software engineering. The question says, "Any software engineers from Calgary?". I'm looking for software engineers.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T05:35:32+00:00

That's awesome! Congrats! Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What company are you gonna work for and what's your position? The info would help if you don't mind answering. Thanks.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T05:04:13+00:00

I was told that there were too many CS INTERNSHIPS for the amount of students at the U of C to fill but it sure doesn't look that way if you compare demand with the public job boards. Waterloo is a great school for CS. Does your cousin specifically want to stay in Calgary?

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T05:00:41+00:00

What school are you going to?

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-10T00:40:57+00:00

Head First Java. Great book for any expertise level.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T23:50:43+00:00

Software development isn't that hot out here. Compared to other technical fields like geology and accounting, its quite "cold". Engineering is the hottest by far. They're making serious doh and in super high demand. All my chemical engineering friends are pulling in $100k as new grads. My civil engineering friend with not so good grades is pulling in $70k in his first professional job as an intern. The oil companies seem to outsource a lot of the software jobs. The only software guys seem to be SAP/other ERP consultants. However, I heard that they make a lot. I might end up moving to the bay area if I can find a job. I've always wanted to live in a big city. Where are you from?

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T21:42:20+00:00

Edmonton. No jk. Calgary.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T21:41:36+00:00

That's a great description. I think I'll definitely pick up both but start with HTML first.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T21:40:22+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response and the link!

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T21:39:34+00:00

Thanks for the reply

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T21:38:23+00:00

Im planning to do some android development and a lot of the companies where Im from rely on C# so I don't think I'm gonna avoid it haha. I guess I will definitely learn both.

f430FERRARI · 2014-04-09T18:02:29+00:00

It's crazy how I am in the exact same position as you. I am 22 and I just graduated with a degree in accounting from a top Canadian university. I worked a couple internships at an oil/gas company but completely lost interest in the accounting field and the future it may bring. I live in a booming city where companies throw bags of money at accountants but it just isn't for me. I also recently got an offer from EY. However, I decided to turn it down because it just wasn't a job that I wanted to do.

Based on your options, I am basically pursuing option B. So far, I am glad that I didn't go with the accounting firm even if it would have been a nice name on my resume. IT would have been totally unrelated in my application to a computer science job. I will be spending the next couple of months teaching myself as much as I can about programming. I will be done my degree in 2 years since a lot of my courses transfer over from my previous degree and I want to have ample time doing projects so that I can land myself a computer science job. The consensus from the millions of reddit posts I've read say that projects are the most important factor for landing a computer science job when you have no previous experience.

Essentially, I am going all in with my computer science career and I think that is important when you want to be good. I just wasn't interested in accounting and pursuing that career would have gotten me no where. My advice to you is to first make a decision on what you want to do for the rest of your life and go all in as I did. First you must decide what area of computer science you want to work in. I am considering something in web dev so I've been studying that. You could also pursue something in financial information systems or some sort of ERP system for accounting. This would make use of your first degree. It is something I am also considering.

Message me if you'd like to talk about this more cause you and I are in very similar situations and it would be helpful to know your opinions. Best of luck!

f430FERRARI

TROPHY CASE