<p>I'm thinking about majoring in comp sci but I don't want to become a code monkey when I graduate. What do I do to make sure this dosen't happen?
Will I be at a disadvantage if I've had little programming/comp sci experience?</p>
<p>it’s inevitable</p>
<p>get a phd!</p>
<p>Make sure your undergraduate program is very theory heavy, some are and some are not.</p>
<p>Why does he have to be a code monkey? I looked at the hiring resources for my college, and all the nonsuper-technical jobs pretty much want either math or CS undergrads.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be so quick to put down writing software like that. It isn’t mindless work.</p>
<p>Damn right, silence_kit.</p>
<p>I agree with silence_kit, and it is my opinion that unless you are doing some sort of research related to computing, most of the non-devlopment careers that computer science majors get seem to be below their knowledge base. I am not saying that they are bad jobs, but I know a guy who got a CS degree and now he’s a network engineer. The job pays well and he is good at it, but the ISYS program at our school has 3 networking classes and you get your CCNA certification for free. I just feel like if your smart enough to complete a CS degree you should either teach, do research, or get into software development. Feel free to disagree with me, in no way am I saying you have to get a job in those three fields.</p>
<p>Easy. Go to a decent school and get a decent GPA and don’t take a decent job. Decent jobs aren’t for “code monkeys”. You shouldn’t have to settle for that.</p>
<p>Auburn, I am confused by your post. Though I sense the sarcasm, which I appreciate. You tell him not to take a decent job because he doesn’t want to be a “code monkey”, then you go on to say decent jobs are not for “code monkeys”.</p>
<p>You may wanna specialize in something like database systems where you can get into data architecture and do a lot of modeling and design and less actual coding.</p>
<p>Oops, typo. I meant “do take a decent job”. No idea where the “don’t” came from. I think I originally wrote “don’t take a bad job” and rewrote it without getting rid of the “don’t”. By all means, take a decent job.</p>
<p>Lol I knew it was a mistake, I just wanted to mess with you a little bit.</p>
<p>orangemonkey,</p>
<p>The more experience you get with programming and CS, the better a position you will be in to get the type of job you want. However, you should keep in mind that in tough economic times, such as now, code monkey jobs may be the only ones available to you, because all of the “good” jobs may be filled (or you may not be hired, or even interviewed, for them).</p>
<p>You could also try to start your own company, in which case you’ll get to do whatever programming you want (provided that you can find clients).</p>
<p>I think that many here would benefit by looking at descriptions of job titles at large software companies. Large software companies typically have a career path on the technical and managerial tracks and the diversity of what you do rises on the career path.</p>
<p>From what BCEagle said. Have a look at companies like Microsoft, IBM, Lockheed Martin.</p>
<p>Right now I know of two small companies that need about 35 software engineers, but can not find anyone who can pass the programming test. It’s sad that people with a BS CS can not pass a programming test.</p>
<p>Maybe they’re expecting too much or their offerings are too poor? If nobody qualified for the job wants the job then they’re the one’s doing something wrong. Not the world’s population of CS majors.</p>
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<p>Could you send me a problem from the test? I’d like to see a test that BSCS grads
can’t pass.</p>
<p>We don’t do tests where I work - we just put people through eight to twelve hours
of interviews.</p>
<p>“We don’t do tests where I work - we just put people through eight to twelve hours
of interviews.”
- Having done several myself, as well as tests, I can say I prefer testing to marathon interviews (like I get to choose!).</p>
<p>Many times in the REAL working world, it is NOT about if you can recite some code solution off the top of your head, it’s about do you know where to look and find ideas for a solution.</p>
<p>If you are armed with some technical (not academic) programming books and internet access to sift through user/geek sites…you can find the solution for most anything at your workplace.</p>