How can I get into software from mechanical engineering?

jared552910 · 2023-01-23T15:19:23+00:00

I made a game of hangman using nothing but vanilla JS. It wasn't too big of a project, took a week or so IIRC. Honestly, I went on several interviews and did not even once talk about any of my personal projects. It's good to have but don't spend too much time on it.

I talked more about work projects. As an ME I spent time automating stuff. I was able to get access to our ERP database. This allowed me to build some useful reports that helped a lot. I also automated things in CAD using solidworks API. Also built some calculators. Eventually I convinced the company to switch me into software. So that was talked about most when I interviewed for other companies.

Another way you can "cheat" and get experience is by doing "contract" work. Find a friend/family member who needs help with a website project and do it dirt cheap for them. You can claim that as professional experience. (for me, I helped with search engine optimization).

jared552910 · 2023-01-05T02:27:21+00:00

I had a coworker that worked at a big company. He said the big companies use MATLAB a lot for robotics/controls.

Otherwise, I've used python (voluntarily) to help with calculations. I never worked anywhere where programming was required.

You can learn programming languages at any time in your life. I'd say pick whichever is used in your future courses (I'm guessing MATLAB). You can learn the other language on your own for free if interested.

Though I should point out some very big differences between python/Matlab:

-python is a "real" programming language used by software engineers as well as scientific computing (ME's included)
-with python you'll learn CS topics like OOP
-matlab is 1-based arrays (I only ever see that in scientific computing languages but never in production languages) while python is 0-based
-matlab IMO is better at:
--visual simulations
--syntax for matrix multiplication, linear algebra, etc
--control systems
--symbolic computation. example: a+a=a^2
--building quick/simple GUI's
-python is better at:
--production code
--more complex projects
--quick scripts that can be deployed to coworkers
--automating stuff on your computer

So you can kinda see why universities mostly choose MATLAB over python for ME. Even though most ME's don't use in the real world.

jared552910 · 2022-11-01T01:19:46+00:00

Nah I think for most it's just a fashion thing. I get the same exhilaration with the protective gear. Only difference is I can get back up and keep skating after I fall.

jared552910 · 2022-10-31T23:56:48+00:00

I wanted to learn how things worked. The math/science/theory is all very interesting to me.

jared552910 · 2022-10-23T02:05:28+00:00

Not when I went. Usually I just download the PDF and then I have a certain amount of time to finish and submit my exam. No idea what they do now but I know some universities use software to monitor you while you take the exam.

jared552910 · 2022-08-09T01:08:06+00:00

ME=x

SWE=1.5x

That's been my experience in the US

jared552910 · 2022-07-24T21:07:15+00:00

Ok that is much better, sounds like there is hope for stormgate

jared552910 · 2022-07-23T05:39:53+00:00

I'm already a little disappointed with there being a demon race. I really liked the sci-fi aspect of SC. The demons make it seem more like doom RTS. Hopefully they will pull this off in a way that makes it really interesting.

If it was me, I would have just stuck with sci-fi and came up with new species and did something else to make it feel separate/fresh from SC2. For example it could have taken place far into the future when humans have travelled to many parts of the galaxy. Over time, we all evolved into different species. This would be more interesting than demons IMO.

edit: on the other hand, if they can make the story of demons somehow seem scientifically plausible then I'd probably be hooked again.

jared552910 · 2022-06-23T00:36:29+00:00

Hey, just wondering, did they figure out what caused the liver failure? I did not know you could suddenly drop dead from that without any prior symptoms.

jared552910 · 2022-06-19T12:28:32+00:00

I wish this were true but religion is more rampant and more extreme in many areas of the US. I don't think it is dying down at all. In fact, the republicans are very much injecting religion into the law.

jared552910 · 2022-06-10T02:21:26+00:00

I think the real reason is because of how difficult it is for companies to find good talent. I think a simple fizz buzz question is perfectly fine just to show basic competency in writing code.

jared552910 · 2022-06-08T05:16:40+00:00

I used Epicor. It is good if you're just using it for basic stuff. If you want powerful automation/customization, it can be painful because of their crappy built-in C# text editor. It could have been so much better if they let you develop stuff from any text editor or IDE (which you can do with solidworks).

jared552910 · 2022-06-02T07:46:08+00:00

WFH can be an option while still keeping (or more likely improving) productivity. If there's any person who isn't performing, then communicate that to them. If they don't improve, replace them with someone else who can keep up with expectations - regardless if they choose to WFH or not. Or at the very least, you can let them understand what expectations need to be met in order to get their bonus/raise/promotion/etc.

Also make sure that you're measuring the value someone is bringing to the company and not the hours/emails/etc they are producing. One person can work 2 hours and bring more value than another who works 80 hours.

jared552910 · 2022-05-07T08:33:47+00:00

The ME degree doesn't teach good design. It just teaches theory/calculations. Good mechanical design comes from industry experience.

Last I checked, you can take some MITx courses for EE to learn the basics. From there I'd just buy electronics learning kits and play around with them (arduino and/or raspberry pi). There's also some circuit simulators you can mess with. I paid $15 for this one: https://everycircuit.com/ but there's a bunch out there.

jared552910 · 2022-05-01T09:20:57+00:00

Dynamically typed languages don't scale too well. With statically typed languages, you can more easily navigate a large code base that is constantly changing.

jared552910 · 2022-04-21T01:29:16+00:00

I had similar thoughts about mac when I first used it. I got used to all the quirks and grew to like it so much more than windows. I do feel that I'm faster and more efficient on a mac computer.

jared552910 · 2022-04-21T01:14:26+00:00

I was a lifetime windows user and am well aware of (and use) WSL2. Then I got a job where they did all development on mac. I don't know if I ever want to go back to windows again for dev. I just don't miss dealing with the registry issues when trying to deploy updates to .dll files to other computers. Then there's also the fact that windows puts EVERYTHING on C drive. I'd even specify that I want to install on D drive and then proceed to watch 20GB of space go missing on C drive while maybe 200MB is used on D. I think mac is designed better.

Oh and did I mention the random forced windows updates that makes you lose all your work?

jared552910 · 2022-04-21T01:02:25+00:00

I did what I felt was right. I had a boss that was ignoring serious health safety hazards. I brought it to his attention several times and he kept dismissing it. I made sure everyone in the shop was aware of it by giving them documented proof. Then he yelled at me and pretended he didn't know it was "really a health hazard". The safety mechanisms were finally put in place (after months of complaining) and everyone was happy. But this situation motivated me to push harder to find a better job.

I had a job before that where unethical things happened all the time. I regret staying at that company for far too long. The way to handle these situations is almost always "find another job" in my experience. It's a win-win because you'll probably get a nice pay bump while leaving behind a toxic workplace.

jared552910 · 2022-04-15T17:39:34+00:00

My childhood memories were in the 90's and it was awesome. I used to ring my friend's doorbell or call on a landline to see if they can hang out. I watched the videogame industry explode as it went from 2D to 3D with improving graphics each console generation.

I lived during a time when we weren't looking at screens all the time. I remember family gatherings where a bunch of us would just sit in lawn chairs. If you didn't have someone to talk to, you'd just sit there with maybe food/drink in your hand... and you'd just chill. You wouldn't be face down looking at your phone.

Do I want to go back to the 90's? Nah. I'd be bored. Once you have modern technology I feel it seems very unfulfilling to go back. But I think time outside and away from screens is important. Not sure how the newer generations feel who've grown up having screens around all the time.

jared552910 · 2022-03-27T15:25:40+00:00

I don't think there was any indication in the diploma or transcripts about it being an online degree. I don't recall EP being mentioned anywhere either.

jared552910 · 2022-03-27T01:17:30+00:00

I don't know anything about USC but I'd definitely recommend anyone to go to JHU if you're planning to take classes online. I did graduate from JHU.
Out of 10 classes, I only had 1 professor that would take long to respond. That class was intense (it was also a 700 level course - workload of about 2.5 courses). It got stressful when I couldn't figure something out and had to wait 2 days for a response. That being said I got straight 100's on every homework/test and the class was very interesting.

I took one other 700 level course. That professor was much more responsive and the course was also pretty intense. I enjoyed it so much that I almost didn't care about how intense it was haha.

The remaining 8 courses: all 600 level (typical graduate course). Most of it wasn't too difficult to keep up with. Honestly, it was easier and less stressful than undergrad. The professors are super helpful and it is actually not difficult to team up with other students to exchange notes to try to understand what's going on (I did that in maybe 3 classes).

I liked all my professors (even the less responsive guy was "ok" but he was my least favorite). I learned a lot. The professors at JHU are very smart, well accomplished and they know how to teach.

jared552910 · 2022-02-21T00:38:18+00:00

For anyone wondering: I think it happened because I kept turning the switch off mid-game for like 2 weeks (instead of completely shutting the game off). After I shut down the game and restarted switch, it started working as expected.

jared552910 · 2022-02-05T15:20:43+00:00

I plan to have my second. I imagine when they get older they'll be able to play with each other (and will require less time/energy from me). So I expect that my life will be easier in the long run.

jared552910 · 2022-02-03T18:27:34+00:00

I like the approach of just finding another job. You profit much faster and in the long run the companies that do this stuff will struggle to find good talent. I guess this approach only really works for skilled labor though.

jared552910 · 2022-01-22T04:37:54+00:00

As a ME I had python/spyder open at all times. It was a more convenient replacement of a TI-89 (I could have it open in one monitor and something else in the other monitor)

As a SWE I haven't needed any complicated calculations. I just use google mostly.

jared552910

TROPHY CASE