Community Development As A Process
What can I do to become a software engineer?
I am wanting to develop a software engineering skill set, possibly to use in future work as a software engineer. I have some questions about getting into this field.
1.) Where would I go for mentoring in this field? Is there somewhere in the open source community that can let me acquire the experience I need to possibly get a job in software engineering in the future?
2.) Is a consulting career (doing this for clients for hire) viable in the future, once experience is gained?
3.) Since I come from an engineering (including electrical and computer) background, would embedded software engineering be a good fit for myself, or should I just stick to non-embedded programming?
4.) What languages would be a good fit for a.) embedded b.) application and c.) web?
5.) I’ve heard of a formal software development process/lifecycle? Is this what software engineering covers, and is there an Internet tutorial on this?
6.) Any other tips?
Thanks!
1) Working on open source projects in general especially large established ones will give you skills and experience that will help – software engineering to many is as much about the management of software as programming, seeing large projects and how they operate will give you experience of both.
2.) Yes. Size of projects you can work on varies with what experience you have, but it’s doable.
3.) I don’t know many embedded programmers or much about the industry so I can’t comment. All I would say is, I know lots of consultants/freelancers and none of them work in this field – I have a feeling its not really a field for freelancers.
4.) a.) ASM/C would be my guess
b.) Java/C#
c.) Java/C#/PHP/Ruby
5.) Process and lifecycles are covered in software engineering, I havent found much of real interest online for these things. Lots of sites cover the basics, more advanced stuff seems to always sell one tool/vendors material. There is a good book by somerville called Software Engineering which will give you a good start (it’s an almost defacto standard for degree level software engineering classes).
6.) Don’t get stuck with the idea of being an application/embedded/single language developer. Learn everything you can, anything that’s interesting, don’t get pigeon holed. The more strings to your bow and all that. Work out how you can bring your previous strengths into the new work.
|
|
DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 U.S.A./Canada Map DVD-ROM (Windows) $69.95 Announcing the release of Street Atlas USA 2008 PLUS–GPS laptop navigation for Advanced & Business Needs. Turn your large-screen laptop into a GPS navigator at an unbeatable new low price. Advanced and Practical Everything included in the regular version plus extensive data import capability, 150 million phone listings, and higher-end print and draw tools The GPS Leader Loaded with innovative G… |
|
|
Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate with MSDN Renewal $2,799.00 Microsoft Visual Studio Ultimate wMSDN Retail 2010 Renewal*****Build-to-Order sku from Microsoft. Non-cancellable and Non-returnable.******… |
|
|
Autodesk Mudbox 2011 [Old Version] $745.00 Autodesk Showcase 3D visualization software offers product designers engineers and marketing professionals the ability to transform digital prototypes into highly realistic imagery and immersive interactive presentations. You can more easily evaluate designs in detail and in context explore alternatives in real time and communicate the story of your design. Showcase eliminates the need for physica… |
|
|
Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum $31.25 Proven, 100% Practical Guidance for Making Scrum and Agile Work in Any Organization This is the definitive, realistic, actionable guide to starting fast with Scrum and agile–and then succeeding over the long haul. Leading agile consultant and practitioner Mike Cohn presents detailed recommendations, powerful tips, and real-world case studies drawn from his unparalleled experience helping… |
|
|
How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching (The Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) $24.44 Distilling the research literature and translating the scientific approach into language relevant to a college or university teacher, this book introduces seven general principles of how students learn. The authors have drawn on research from a breadth of perspectives (cognitive, developmental, and social psychology; educational research; anthropology; demographics; organizational behavior) to ide… |
|
|
Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application (Marquis, Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing) $13.99 Now in its Sixth Edition, this foremost leadership and management text incorporates application with theory and emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. More than 225 case studies and learning exercises promote critical thinking and interactive discussion.Case studies cover a variety of settings, including acute care, ambulatory care, long-term care, and community health… |
|
|
Quirky PowerCurl – 85w Long Clip-On Cord Wrap for Apple and Magsafe Power Adapter (Orange) $14.99 Powercurl The PowerCurl is a clip-on cord wrap for Apple’s 45W, 60W, 85W, and older rectangular 85W MagSafe Power Adapter. PowerCurl makes it easy to unplug and pack up quickly without having to untangle your extension cords the next time you set up shop. Available in five exciting colors Features Both ends of the cord (the plug end and the MagSafe end) can wrap around the device, allowing for… |